Although Johnny Cash did record "I've Been Everywhere", he neither wrote it, was the first to record it, nor was the first to make it famous in the US. Those distinctions go to: Geoff Mack who wrote it in 1959, Lucky Starr who made it popular in Australia in 1962, and Hank Snow who made it a number one country hit in the US in November 1962. Johnny Cash didn't record it until 1996. To see more goto: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I've_Been_Everywhere
Submitted by Steve Hughes on Wed, 07/18/2007 - 05:48.
The article was very interesting but there is one critical error of fact which should be corrected immediately.
The music credit "To the tune of "I've Been Everywhere" by Johnny Cash" is not correct. The tune, and original lyrics, are from the pen of Geoff Mack who wrote this song and tune in 1959 - and was originally popularised by Lucky Starr in Australia shortly afterwards. I have done a lot of research on this song and possess, on vinyl, one of the earliest recordings of the song and have a professional acquaintance with Lucky Starr.
Despite many completely inaccurate stories to the contrary, the original lyrics & tune and most of the other versions of the lyrics (of which there are dozens by other artists) were written in collaboration with Geoff Mack. Of specific interest is the claim that Hank Snow wrote the song. He did not!! Hank Snow first performed the song in 1962 and Johnny Cash in 1966 - both well after it was a hit elsewhere. The claims on various websites that the song originated in the USA are figments of those sites' authors and are errors in fact.
There is a great deal of factual evidence to support the claim that Geoff Mack is the original author. If people want to know more I can be found at ymedia@pacific.net.au
By the way, I have no problem with the "font lyrics" they are good and funny as are the original lyrics.
Interesting article and cute song but atributed to wrong artist.
Although Johnny Cash did record "I've Been Everywhere", he neither wrote it, was the first to record it, nor was the first to make it famous in the US. Those distinctions go to: Geoff Mack who wrote it in 1959, Lucky Starr who made it popular in Australia in 1962, and Hank Snow who made it a number one country hit in the US in November 1962. Johnny Cash didn't record it until 1996. To see more goto: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I've_Been_Everywhere
Font Sing-Along - music credit.
The article was very interesting but there is one critical error of fact which should be corrected immediately.
The music credit "To the tune of "I've Been Everywhere" by Johnny Cash" is not correct. The tune, and original lyrics, are from the pen of Geoff Mack who wrote this song and tune in 1959 - and was originally popularised by Lucky Starr in Australia shortly afterwards. I have done a lot of research on this song and possess, on vinyl, one of the earliest recordings of the song and have a professional acquaintance with Lucky Starr.
Despite many completely inaccurate stories to the contrary, the original lyrics & tune and most of the other versions of the lyrics (of which there are dozens by other artists) were written in collaboration with Geoff Mack. Of specific interest is the claim that Hank Snow wrote the song. He did not!! Hank Snow first performed the song in 1962 and Johnny Cash in 1966 - both well after it was a hit elsewhere. The claims on various websites that the song originated in the USA are figments of those sites' authors and are errors in fact.
There is a great deal of factual evidence to support the claim that Geoff Mack is the original author. If people want to know more I can be found at ymedia@pacific.net.au
By the way, I have no problem with the "font lyrics" they are good and funny as are the original lyrics.
That song's been everywhere!
Thanks for the correction, folks! I'll pass it along to the original publishers of this article.
Terri Stone