Ragged Old Flag
Encyclopedia
Ragged Old Flag is an album
by American
country music
singer Johnny Cash
, released on Columbia Records
in 1974 (see 1974 in music
). The album addresses several political as well as ethical issues, not unlike many of Cash's other releases. The title track, and simultaneously the only single from the album, is a spoken word
tribute to patriotism
amid the Watergate scandal. "Don't Go Near the Water" addresses another hot political issue of the time, the environment. All of the songs on the album were composed by Cash, save "I'm a Worried Man" by himself and June Carter Cash
.
Singles - Billboard (North America)
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
, released on Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1974 (see 1974 in music
1974 in music
-January–April:*January 3 – Bob Dylan and The Band kick off their 40-date concert tour at Chicago Stadium. It's Dylan's first time on the road since 1966.*January 17...
). The album addresses several political as well as ethical issues, not unlike many of Cash's other releases. The title track, and simultaneously the only single from the album, is a spoken word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
tribute to patriotism
Patriotism
Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy...
amid the Watergate scandal. "Don't Go Near the Water" addresses another hot political issue of the time, the environment. All of the songs on the album were composed by Cash, save "I'm a Worried Man" by himself and June Carter Cash
June Carter Cash
Valerie June Carter Cash was an American singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, comedienne and author who was a member of the Carter Family and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash...
.
Track listing
All songs written by Johnny Cash except as noted.- "Ragged Old Flag" – 3:08
- "Don't Go Near the Water" – 2:52
- "All I Do is Drive" – 2:10
- "Southern Comfort" – 2:10
- "King of the Hill" – 2:44
- "Pie in the Sky" – 2:27
- "Lonesome to the Bone" – 2:41
- "While I've Got It on My Mind" – 2:20
- "Good Morning, Friend" – 2:05
- "I'm a Worried Man" (Johnny Cash, June Carter CashJune Carter CashValerie June Carter Cash was an American singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, comedienne and author who was a member of the Carter Family and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash...
) – 2:10 - "Please Don't Let Me Out" – 2:42
- "What on Earth Will You Do (for Heaven's Sake)" – 2:08
Personnel
- Johnny Cash - Vocals, Producer, Liner Notes, Guitar
- Marshall GrantMarshall GrantMarshall Garnett Grant was the upright bassist and electric bassist of singer Johnny Cash's original backing duo, the Tennessee Two, in which Grant and electric guitarist Luther Perkins played. The group became known as The Tennessee Three in 1960, with the addition of drummer W. S. Holland...
- bass - W.S. Holland - drums
- Bob WoottonBob WoottonBob Wootton is an American guitarist. He joined Johnny Cash's backing band, the Tennessee Three, after original lead guitarist, Luther Perkins, died in a house fire.- Biography :...
, Carl PerkinsCarl PerkinsCarl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
, Ray Edenton - guitar - Larry McCoy - piano
- Earl ScruggsEarl ScruggsEarl Eugene Scruggs is an American musician noted for perfecting and popularizing a 3-finger banjo-picking style that is a defining characteristic of bluegrass music...
- Banjo - The Oak Ridge BoysThe Oak Ridge BoysThe Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet.The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in southern gospel during the 1950s...
- Background Vocals
Additional personnel
- Chuck Cochran - Arranger
- Charlie Bragg - Producer, Engineer
- Al Quaglieri - Producer, Reissue Producer
- Freeman Ramsey - Engineer
- Rob Tucker - Engineer
- Howard Fritzson - Art Director, Reissue Art Director
- Billy Barnes - Cover Design
- Al Clayton - Cover Photo
- Seth Foster - Mastering
- Randall Martin - Design
- John Henry Jackson - Project Director
- Steven Berkowitz - A&R
- Patti Matheny - A&R
- Darren Salmieri - A&R
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Country Albums | 16 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | "Ragged Old Flag" | Country Singles | 31 |