The Meaning Behind The Song: The Chicken In Black by Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash, also known as The Man in Black, was an American singer-songwriter known for his deep, distinctive voice, his use of prison themes, and his love of country music. One of his lesser-known songs, “The Chicken in Black,” tells the story of a deceased Cash being reincarnated as a chicken, complete with a microchip in his head that contains all of his memories. The song was released in 1984, and while it may seem like just a silly novelty track, there is actually a deeper meaning behind it.
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The Story Behind The Song
“The Chicken in Black” was written by Bobby Braddock, who was also responsible for writing hits such as “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones and “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” by Tammy Wynette. According to Braddock, the idea for the song came to him when he was watching an episode of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. During the episode, a guest was demonstrating a device that could implant a microchip in a dog, which would allow the owner to track the dog’s movements and locate it if it was lost. Braddock thought it would be funny to imagine what would happen if someone implanted a microchip in a human, and the idea for “The Chicken In Black” was born.
Cash reportedly loved the song when Braddock played it for him, and he recorded it in 1984. The song was released as a single, and while it didn’t make a huge splash on the charts, it’s remained a fan favorite over the years.
The Lyrics
The lyrics to “The Chicken in Black” are straightforward and simple, but they tell a story that is both hilarious and touching. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key lines:
– “Well I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt” – This is a nod to the Johnny Cash song “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” which also references waking up with a hangover.
– “My wife said ‘Why don’t you go to church and hear some words of wisdom?'” – This line is meant to show the contrast between Cash’s wild lifestyle and his wife’s more buttoned-up approach to life.
– “I was standing in the congregation with my tambourine” – A tambourine is a common instrument in gospel music, which is often played in churches.
– “Then they baptized me in the water and I knew everything had changed” – This line is a reference to the Christian sacrament of baptism, which is meant to symbolize a spiritual rebirth.
– “Well my feathers got to rufflin’, and I hollered ‘what’s wrong with y’all?'” – This is one of the funnier lines in the song, as Cash realizes he’s been reincarnated as a chicken and is understandably confused.
– “They took out my implant and they had me fixed up like new” – This line references the idea that Cash’s memories have been stored on a microchip and implanted in the brain of a chicken.
The Deeper Meanings
While “The Chicken in Black” may seem like a silly novelty song on the surface, there are a few deeper meanings to be found. Here are a few interpretations:
– A commentary on mortality – The song can be seen as a meditation on mortality and what happens after we die. Cash’s reincarnation as a chicken is a lighthearted take on the idea that we never really know what’s going to happen to us after we pass away.
– A critique of technology – The song also makes a subtle critique of technology and our increasing reliance on it. The idea of implanting a microchip in someone’s brain is a frightening one, and the song suggests that we may be losing touch with our human nature in the face of technological progress.
– An exploration of Cash’s spiritual beliefs – Finally, the song can be seen as an exploration of Cash’s own spiritual beliefs. Cash was a devout Christian, and the lyrics about baptism and church suggest that the song is rooted in his beliefs about the afterlife and redemption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about “The Chicken in Black” and their answers:
1. Is “The Chicken in Black” a serious song?
No, “The Chicken in Black” is not meant to be taken seriously. It’s a lighthearted, humorous track that was created to be a fun novelty song.
2. Did Johnny Cash write “The Chicken in Black”?
No, “The Chicken in Black” was written by Bobby Braddock, a songwriter who was well-known in the country music community.
3. What inspired Braddock to write the song?
Braddock was inspired to write the song after watching an episode of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, during which a guest demonstrated a microchip that could be implanted in a dog’s brain.
4. Why did Johnny Cash record “The Chicken in Black”?
Cash reportedly loved the song when Braddock played it for him, and he saw the potential for it to be a fun, silly track that fans would enjoy.
5. What are the key themes of “The Chicken in Black”?
The key themes of the song include mortality, technology, and spirituality.
6. Did “The Chicken in Black” do well on the charts?
No, “The Chicken in Black” was not a huge commercial success. It reached #45 on the Billboard country chart.
7. Did Johnny Cash like performing “The Chicken in Black” live?
There’s no way to know for sure, but Cash was known for his sense of humor and often enjoyed performing silly songs like “The Chicken in Black.”
8. Are there any cover versions of “The Chicken in Black”?
There don’t seem to be many cover versions of the song, but there are a few YouTube videos of people performing it.
9. What’s the legacy of “The Chicken in Black”?
While it may not be one of Cash’s most famous songs, “The Chicken in Black” has remained a fan favorite over the years and is still enjoyed by listeners today.
10. Are there any other Johnny Cash songs that are similar to “The Chicken in Black”?
While “The Chicken in Black” is a somewhat unique track in Cash’s discography, there are a few other songs that share its sense of humor and lightheartedness, such as “One Piece at a Time” and “A Boy Named Sue.”
11. Did Johnny Cash have any input into the production of “The Chicken in Black”?
There’s no way to know for sure, but it’s unlikely that Cash had much control over the production of the song. It was likely recorded in a similar fashion to many of his other tracks, with a producer and session musicians working to bring Braddock’s vision to life.
12. Is there a music video for “The Chicken in Black”?
Yes, there is a music video for the song, which features Cash dressed in all black, performing onstage while a man dressed in a chicken suit dances around him. The video is a fun, campy take on the song and is definitely worth a watch.
