One Piece at a Time (album)
Encyclopedia
One Piece at a Time is an album
by American
country
singer Johnny Cash
, released on Columbia Records
in 1976 (see 1976 in music
). "One Piece at a Time
," which was a #1 hit, is a humorous tale of an auto worker on the Detroit assembly line who puts together a car out of parts he swipes from the plant. "Sold Out of Flag Poles" also charted as a single, reaching #29 on the country singles charts. "Committed to Parkview", a Cash original, would be re-recorded in 1985 by Cash, Waylon Jennings
, Kris Kristofferson
and Willie Nelson
, collectively known as The Highwaymen
, on their first album, Highwayman; it is one of the few country songs sung from the perspective of a patient at a mental hospital
.
"Go On Blues" was also recorded during the American Recordings
session with Rick Rubin
. It was not on the album but part of the promo single for "Delia's Gone".
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
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 1976 (see 1976 in music
1976 in music
-January–February:*January 5 – Former Beatles road manager Mal Evans is shot dead by Los Angeles police after refusing to drop what police only later determine is an air rifle....
). "One Piece at a Time
One Piece at a Time
"One Piece at a Time" is a humorous rockabilly song written by Wayne Kemp and recorded by Johnny Cash in 1976. It would be the last song performed by Cash to reach number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.-Chart performance:-Plot:...
," which was a #1 hit, is a humorous tale of an auto worker on the Detroit assembly line who puts together a car out of parts he swipes from the plant. "Sold Out of Flag Poles" also charted as a single, reaching #29 on the country singles charts. "Committed to Parkview", a Cash original, would be re-recorded in 1985 by Cash, Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
, Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
and Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
, collectively known as The Highwaymen
The Highwaymen (country supergroup)
The Highwaymen were an American supergroup comprising four country music artists well known for, among other things, their involvement and pioneering influence on the outlaw country subgenre: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson...
, on their first album, Highwayman; it is one of the few country songs sung from the perspective of a patient at a mental hospital
Mental Hospital
Mental hospital may refer to:*Psychiatric hospital*hospital in Nepal named Mental Hospital...
.
"Go On Blues" was also recorded during the American Recordings
American Recordings (album)
American Recordings is a Grammy Award-winning album by the country singer Johnny Cash. It was released in April 1994 , the first album issued by American Recordings after its name change from Def American...
session with Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
. It was not on the album but part of the promo single for "Delia's Gone".
Track listing
All tracks composed by Johnny Cash; except where indicated- "Let There Be Country" (Cash, Shel SilversteinShel SilversteinSheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein , was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books...
) – 2:58 - "One Piece at a TimeOne Piece at a Time"One Piece at a Time" is a humorous rockabilly song written by Wayne Kemp and recorded by Johnny Cash in 1976. It would be the last song performed by Cash to reach number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.-Chart performance:-Plot:...
" (Wayne KempWayne KempWayne Kemp is an American country music singer. He recorded between 1969 and 1986 for Decca, MCA, United Artists, Mercury and Door Knob Records, and charted twenty-four singles on the Hot Country Songs charts. His highest-peaking single was "Honky Tonk Wine," which peaked at #17 in 1973...
) – 4:00 - "In a Young Girl's Mind" (Hoyt AxtonHoyt AxtonHoyt Wayne Axton was an American country music singer-songwriter, and a film and television actor. He became prominent in the early 1960s, establishing himself on the West Coast as a folk singer with an earthy style and powerful voice. As he matured, some of his songwriting efforts became well...
, Mark Dawson) – 3:09 - "Mountain Lady" – 2:43
- "Michigan City Howdy Do" – 2:26
- "Sold Out of Flag Poles" – 2:45
- "Committed to Parkview" – 3:14
- "Daughter of a Railroad Man" – 3:12
- "Love Has Lost Again" – 2:24
- "Go on Blues" – 2:23
Personnel
- Johnny Cash - vocals, guitar
- 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 :...
, Jerry Hensley - 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
- The Carter Family - vocals
Additional Personnel
- Produced by: Charlie Bragg and Don Davis
- "Michigan City Howdy Do" and "Daughter of a Railroad Man" Produced by: Charlie Bragg
- "Committed to Parkview" Produced by: Don Davis
- Recorded at House of Cash Recording Studio
- Engineers: Charlie Bragg, Roger Tucker, Danny Jones, Chuck Bragg
- Cover Photo: Mike Woosley
- Liner Notes: Johnny Cash
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Country Albums | 2 |
| 1976 | Pop Albums | 185 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | "One Piece at a Time" | Country Singles | 1 |
| 1976 | "One Piece at a Time" | Pop Singles | 29 |
| 1976 | "Sold Out of Flagpoles" | Country Singles | 29 |