Johnny Cash — Get Rhythm
Album: Very Best of the Sun YearsAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 996
Length: 2:12
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Hey, get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
C'mon get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
Get a rock and roll feeling in your bones,
Put taps on your toes, and get goin'
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
A little shoe-shine boy he never gets low-down,
But he's got the dirtiest job in town!
Bending low at the peoples' feet,
On a windy corner of a dirty street.
Well, I asked him while she shined my shoes,
How'd he keep from getting the blues.
He grinned as he raised his little head,
He popped a shoe-shine rag, and he said
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
C'mon get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
A jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine,
It'll shake all your troubles from your worried mind.
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
C'mon get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
Get a rock and roll feeling in your bones,
Put taps on your toes, and get goin'
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
Well, I had to listen to the shoe-shine boy,
And I thought I was gonna jump for joy!
Slapped on the shoe polish left and right,
He took a shoe-shine rag and he held it tight.
He stopped once to wipe the sweat away,
I said, you're a mighty little boy to be a-workin' that way!
He said I like it, with a big wide grin,
Kept on a-poppin' and he said again,
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
C'mon get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
It only costs a dime, just a nickel a shoe.
It does a million dollars worth of good for you.
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
When you get the blues!
C'mon get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
Get a rock and roll feeling in your bones,
Put taps on your toes, and get goin'
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
A little shoe-shine boy he never gets low-down,
But he's got the dirtiest job in town!
Bending low at the peoples' feet,
On a windy corner of a dirty street.
Well, I asked him while she shined my shoes,
How'd he keep from getting the blues.
He grinned as he raised his little head,
He popped a shoe-shine rag, and he said
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
C'mon get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
A jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine,
It'll shake all your troubles from your worried mind.
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
C'mon get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
Get a rock and roll feeling in your bones,
Put taps on your toes, and get goin'
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
Well, I had to listen to the shoe-shine boy,
And I thought I was gonna jump for joy!
Slapped on the shoe polish left and right,
He took a shoe-shine rag and he held it tight.
He stopped once to wipe the sweat away,
I said, you're a mighty little boy to be a-workin' that way!
He said I like it, with a big wide grin,
Kept on a-poppin' and he said again,
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
C'mon get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
It only costs a dime, just a nickel a shoe.
It does a million dollars worth of good for you.
Get rhythm!
When you get the blues!
Comments (77)add comment
EXCELLENT!! Thanx RP! 
AlanF wrote:
I get it, and when I hear "Hurt" I sometimes hit the PSD button, but I think that was one last stab at earning some dough.
I guess you need to be from The USA to really "get" the long term appeal of Johnny Cash; he is the only reason I registered so I can use the PSD function.
If I hear "Hurt" one more time I am likely to self-injure myself; can't we move on from Johnny and let him rest in peace?
If I hear "Hurt" one more time I am likely to self-injure myself; can't we move on from Johnny and let him rest in peace?
I get it, and when I hear "Hurt" I sometimes hit the PSD button, but I think that was one last stab at earning some dough.
AlanF wrote:
I'm afraid your attempt at oversimplifying the world has failed. I'm from Belgium and I have learnt to appreciate Cash over the years. Maybe you should try to broaden your musical horizons instead of locking up yourself in a box and scoffing at everything outside that box.
I guess you need to be from The USA to really "get" the long term appeal of Johnny Cash; he is the only reason I registered so I can use the PSD function.
If I hear "Hurt" one more time I am likely to self-injure myself; can't we move on from Johnny and let him rest in peace?
If I hear "Hurt" one more time I am likely to self-injure myself; can't we move on from Johnny and let him rest in peace?
I'm afraid your attempt at oversimplifying the world has failed. I'm from Belgium and I have learnt to appreciate Cash over the years. Maybe you should try to broaden your musical horizons instead of locking up yourself in a box and scoffing at everything outside that box.
Johnny's Sun years were GOLD.
WIsh this compilation hadn't chosen that cover pic. Johnny not lookin healthy there
WIsh this compilation hadn't chosen that cover pic. Johnny not lookin healthy there
Ry Cooder does and excellent version of this as well.
HOT DAMN!
Theme of the music is very nice
HE's the King! great picking and distinctive voice. 
I was not a Johnny Cash fan until recently. I am involved in construction of a new bike bridge and bike trail in the Town of Folsom, CA adjacent to Folsom Prison. The trail and bridge are named after Johnny Cash. This led me to am excellent Biography called "Johnny Cash:The Life by Robert Hilburn. This is an excellent book and it made me realize Johnny Cash was a great man regardless of whether you like his music or not.
AlanF wrote:
I was in Ireland last year with my wife and I bet I heard Johhny Cash play everyday somewhere throughout that country.I asked a cab driver about this and he said the Irish love Johnny Cash" cause he was a tough SOB who sang with soul."
I guess you need to be from The USA to really "get" the long term appeal of Johnny Cash; he is the only reason I registered so I can use the PSD function.
If I hear "Hurt" one more time I am likely to self-injure myself; can't we move on from Johnny and let him rest in peace?
If I hear "Hurt" one more time I am likely to self-injure myself; can't we move on from Johnny and let him rest in peace?
I was in Ireland last year with my wife and I bet I heard Johhny Cash play everyday somewhere throughout that country.I asked a cab driver about this and he said the Irish love Johnny Cash" cause he was a tough SOB who sang with soul."
AlanF wrote:
Interesting hypothesis. You might be onto something there.
(I was born and raised in the US, so I love it.)
I guess you need to be from The USA to really "get" the long term appeal of Johnny Cash; he is the only reason I registered so I can use the PSD function.
If I hear "Hurt" one more time I am likely to self-injure myself; can't we move on from Johnny and let him rest in peace?
If I hear "Hurt" one more time I am likely to self-injure myself; can't we move on from Johnny and let him rest in peace?
Interesting hypothesis. You might be onto something there.
(I was born and raised in the US, so I love it.)
THANK YOU JOHNNY.....
Cynaera wrote:
We miss you, Cynaera...
What an unexpected treat! Who'da thunk... I love this. Damn, Mr. Cash - why'd you have to leave so soon, when you had so much left to offer?
RIP, Mr. Cash. I love you, and your legacy.
RIP, Mr. Cash. I love you, and your legacy.
We miss you, Cynaera...
I guess you need to be from The USA to really "get" the long term appeal of Johnny Cash; he is the only reason I registered so I can use the PSD function.
If I hear "Hurt" one more time I am likely to self-injure myself; can't we move on from Johnny and let him rest in peace?
If I hear "Hurt" one more time I am likely to self-injure myself; can't we move on from Johnny and let him rest in peace?
I'd always known this song from the Ry Cooder and NRBQ renditions. Hadn't known until now that Cash wrote it. Still learnin' after all these years...
cc_rider wrote:
I agree. It still gets an 8 from me though.
8 —> 9. Now that Bill updated it to the 1956 version. Makes all the difference, I don't know why.
I agree. It still gets an 8 from me though.
Today I am wearing my new 'CASH' tee-shirt. Coincidence?
Sweet Johnny pik'n.....9...
BillG wrote:
Now replaced with the original 1956 version.
Woohoo! I hadn't heard it here in months but knew immediately when I heard it today. Bumped from 7 to 10.
Now replaced with the original 1956 version.
Woohoo! I hadn't heard it here in months but knew immediately when I heard it today. Bumped from 7 to 10.
ThePoose wrote:
And God loves you, but you are not His best effort.
wait wait wait. I had to laugh at this. This person went through the trouble to capitalize the G and even the 'H' in His, then said something very unloving to fellow man, which seems non-religious, in action.... lolz If you hadn't capitalized, you'd just be another troll, and less interesting.
And God loves you, but you are not His best effort.
wait wait wait. I had to laugh at this. This person went through the trouble to capitalize the G and even the 'H' in His, then said something very unloving to fellow man, which seems non-religious, in action.... lolz If you hadn't capitalized, you'd just be another troll, and less interesting.
Bill, I wanted to thank you for choosing great songs like this, brighten up my morning, and for running the best radio station ever.
russteaches wrote:
And God loves you, but you are not His best effort.
I love Cash, but this isn't his best effort.
And God loves you, but you are not His best effort.
toterola wrote:
Stone cold fact. He wasn't perfect, not by a long stretch, but he was true to himself. And to June. The definition of class.
There will never again be the equal of Johnny Cash.
He was the rock that others leaned on, sheltered behind, and broke themselves trying to become. A teacher, a mentor, and a fine man.
Rest easy, old champ.
He was the rock that others leaned on, sheltered behind, and broke themselves trying to become. A teacher, a mentor, and a fine man.
Rest easy, old champ.
Stone cold fact. He wasn't perfect, not by a long stretch, but he was true to himself. And to June. The definition of class.
ruxbin wrote:
Now replaced with the original 1956 version.
Not a huge fan of this weird "modern" version.
Now replaced with the original 1956 version.
I want to dedicate this to all the BlueHeronDruids out there riding the perimeter.....
Reminds me of my Grandpa!....
An old schoolboy joke:
What an unexpected treat! Who'da thunk... I love this. Damn, Mr. Cash - why'd you have to leave so soon, when you had so much left to offer?
RIP, Mr. Cash. I love you, and your legacy.
RIP, Mr. Cash. I love you, and your legacy.
Blip wrote:
Double that!!!!!!
Triple that!!!
Double that!!!!!!
Triple that!!!
Not a huge fan of this weird "modern" version.
kaybee wrote:
Oh, yeah!!!
Double that!!!!!!
Oh, yeah!!!
Double that!!!!!!
MIghty Good Song - Mighty hard not to tap the toes :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY! R.I.P.
All hail Mr Cash.
There will never again be the equal of Johnny Cash.
He was the rock that others leaned on, sheltered behind, and broke themselves trying to become. A teacher, a mentor, and a fine man.
Rest easy, old champ.
He was the rock that others leaned on, sheltered behind, and broke themselves trying to become. A teacher, a mentor, and a fine man.
Rest easy, old champ.
demfrosch wrote:
Nothing's as up-to-date as timelessness!
there is no school like old school!!!
Nothing's as up-to-date as timelessness!
russteaches wrote:
He had so much talent that even his half-efforts were remarkable songs.
I love Cash, but this isn't his best effort.
He had so much talent that even his half-efforts were remarkable songs.
there is no school like old school!!!
rtb wrote:
Oh, yeah!!!
Better than this morning's coffee at getting me up and working!
Oh, yeah!!!
russteaches wrote:
Ii think this was, like, his first hit. Ever. Pretty early in his career to be hitting his stride, I would say. Pretty good for a rookie, though.
I love Cash, but this isn't his best effort.
Ii think this was, like, his first hit. Ever. Pretty early in his career to be hitting his stride, I would say. Pretty good for a rookie, though.
russteaches wrote:
I agree. It still gets an 8 from me though.
I love Cash, but this isn't his best effort.
I agree. It still gets an 8 from me though.
Better than this morning's coffee at getting me up and working!
what a cracking version, alittle more laid back and blusier than the original sun records track
spootwo wrote:
This song was very good originally. This is like those remakes of all the movies that were already good. Bigger, louder, more; it just doesn't cut it, I just hear extra noise where there should be nuance.
I've got a copy of this recorded during a live performance in 1956 with the Tennessee Two. This newer version still has my toes tappin', but the 1956 version is fantastic... so much better!
like the slide guitar
I love Cash, but this isn't his best effort.
spootwo wrote:
This song was very good originally. This is like those remakes of all the movies that were already good. Bigger, louder, more; it just doesn't cut it, I just hear extra noise where there should be nuance.
agreed
Hey Na! Don't you just love Johnny Cash and dancing bananas? What more could you ask for on a happy, Sunday night like tonight? 
This song was very good originally. This is like those remakes of all the movies that were already good. Bigger, louder, more; it just doesn't cut it, I just hear extra noise where there should be nuance.
This is a great song, but didn't sound quite right. The original is better. Less busy.
-mt-
algrif wrote:
The harp on this gets the marks. Does anyone out there in RP land have a version of this by Ry Cooder they could upload?
Does anyone know if the harp is possibly Charlie McCoy?
Really like this song!
Must buy some JC for the pod
Must add to the "on the road" playlist.
The Sun version is better.
Bizarre.
A co-worker just had a news/talk show on radio with JC playing ONE/U2 cover, seconds before this started.
....?
8.
Wow, Johnny Cash carrying a tune! Don't listen to him much, but this is the first time I've heard him actually singing (mostly). Cash is good overall though.
algrif wrote:
The harp on this gets the marks. Does anyone out there in RP land have a version of this by Ry Cooder they could upload?
I've got the Ry Cooder version on Roots Vol 1 which is excellent and will try to upload it at some point soon.
Mr. Johnny Cash
The harp on this gets the marks. Does anyone out there in RP land have a version of this by Ry Cooder they could upload?
Thank's RP! Everyone in the office is head bouncing. We all just looked around at each other and noticed.
I like the harmonica in this version...
... on a sidenote, the first time I heard this song, I thought it was "Get ripped" (when you get the blues.)
He's right, you know. I was quite down a week ago, and put on a bunch of upbeat music to help me out of the funk.
Various iTunes links (listen to samples)
Joaquin Phoenix
Overproduced Johnny
Live Johnny, rockabilly era
Classic Johnny
NRBQ
Have to agree with LPCIty, NRBQ's version is in the pocket.
Classic, one of my favorites -- I agree, though, not the best cut...
I just hafta ask ... has anyone ever done a reggae version called "Get Riddim"? I bet someone has. Do I want to hear it? I dunno. Could be good. Could be scary. Could be Willie.
i am disappointed they picked this version. someone didnt do their homework. the original rockabilly version was recorded on the chess label around 57 or 58. far superior. had that great gene vincent kind of recording quality.
LPCity wrote:
Even better than this version or Ry Cooder's version is the all out ROCKIN' version by NRBQ.
even better than that version was johnnys original rockabilly version from the mid 50s.
Even better than this version or Ry Cooder's version is the all out ROCKIN' version by NRBQ.
Like Ry Cooder's version over this one.
Likeable tune, but now that we have Essential in the mix, let's get "Hey Porter" uploaded.
8)
It's a classic, but it's not the original. Johnny would re-record all his hits whenever he changed record labels. This is sloppy-fast. I heard one version where he says "you're mighty little, son, to be a-workin' that way." PC or no, that's just not honest.
According to the AMG link, the Essential album listed does have the original version.
aahh, johnny. always nice to hear him. this is a great song!
Sweet Johnny pik'n.....9...
I gave it a TEN!! Thanx RP!