U2’s One was not a song people expected Johnny Cash to sing, but he had a way of making any song his own. He kept it simple, turning it into a deeply personal story. Instead of the original rock sound, he filled it with life experience. His rough, powerful voice added deep feelings of age, wisdom, and honesty.
Cash removes the big, loud guitars and replaces them with a simple, quiet sound. Only soft strumming and light music remain, letting his voice stand out. The lyrics become even more powerful, made stronger by the way he sings them. Every word feels heavy with love, regret, and making peace, making the song feel real and deeply personal.
Johnny Cash – “One”
Bono himself once said that hearing Cash sing One was like “having the Old Testament reading the New Testament.” That’s the magic of this rendition—it feels biblical and timeless as if Cash is less a performer and more a storyteller passing down something sacred.
Where U2’s version soars, Cash’s version lingers, settles in, and stays with you. It’s no longer just about love—it’s about life, about looking back on what was, what is, and what could have been. His voice, old but still strong, makes One even more emotional and deep. It’s interesting how he could also do the opposite—taking a sad song like Dylan’s It Ain’t Me Babe and turning it into something fun and playful.
It ain’t me babe – Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash
Johnny Cash had a special way of making songs feel personal, which is why he became a legend. He put real emotion into every song he sang.
He found the core of a song that resonated with him. He then explored that core to its conclusion. As a result, we got some of the most beautiful covers of all time.
For more of Cash’s unforgettable interpretations, dive into his American Recordings series, where every track tells a story that feels lived-in and real.