About The Song
“Get Rhythm” was written by Johnny Cash in 1956, inspired by the upbeat energy of rockabilly and his observations of everyday working life. Cash composed the song while reflecting on the rhythm of labor, specifically imagining a shoeshine boy’s lively spirit. It was recorded on April 2, 1956, at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, produced by Sam Phillips. The track was released as a single in September 1956 by Sun Records, with “I Walk the Line” as the A-side, and included on the compilation album All Aboard the Blue Train in 1962. The song, running 2:13, is a rockabilly-country track featuring Cash’s baritone voice, Luther Perkins’ distinctive guitar, and Marshall Grant’s bass.
As the B-side to “I Walk the Line,” “Get Rhythm” did not chart independently on the Billboard Top Pop Singles (Hot 100 equivalent) in 1956, as B-sides were not typically tracked separately. However, “I Walk the Line” reached number 1 on the Billboard Best Sellers in Stores (country) chart and number 17 on the pop chart, with “Get Rhythm” contributing to the single’s overall success. A re-recorded version was released in 1969 on Columbia Records as a single from the album Greatest Hits, Vol. 1, entering the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart at number 60 on June 14, 1969, peaking at number 23, and charting for nine weeks. It also reached number 13 in Canada’s RPM Country Tracks. Cash Box described it as a “lively, toe-tapping number” with “infectious rhythm.”
Background details include Cash’s inspiration from a Memphis shoeshine boy whose rhythmic work sparked the song’s concept. Recorded during his early Sun Records sessions, it showcased the Tennessee Two’s minimalist sound, with Perkins’ boom-chicka-boom guitar style. The song was a favorite in Cash’s live performances, including his 1957 appearance on the Town Hall Party TV show. Covers include versions by Ry Cooder (1978), Martin Delray (1991), and NRBQ (1987). No major controversies surrounded the song, though its upbeat tone contrasted with Cash’s later, darker hits, surprising some fans. The track was used in the 2005 film Walk the Line, performed by Joaquin Phoenix, and in a 1990s Levi’s commercial, boosting its recognition.
Expert commentary includes AllMusic’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine, who called it a “rockabilly gem” that captured Cash’s early exuberance. Songfacts noted its role in showcasing his versatility beyond ballads. Rolling Stone praised its “propulsive energy,” crediting it as a precursor to rock and roll’s mainstream rise. The song’s simplicity and universal appeal made it a staple in Cash’s catalog, performed at his 1969 Folsom Prison concert. Its inclusion in compilations like The Essential Johnny Cash (2002) and its use in TV shows like My Name Is Earl (2006) highlight its enduring popularity.
Video
Lyric
Hey, get rhythm when you get the blues
Come on, get rhythm when you get the blues
Get a rock ‘n’ roll feelin’ in your bones
Put taps on your toes and get gone
Get rhythm when you get the bluesA little shoeshine boy never gets low down
But he’s got the dirtiest job in town
Bendin’ low at the people’s feet
On the windy corner of the dirty street
Well, I asked him while he shined my shoes
How’d he keep from gettin’ the blues
He grinned as he raised his little head
Popped a shoeshine rag and then he saidGet rhythm when you get the blues
Come on, get rhythm when you get the blues
A jumpy rhythm makes you feel so fine
It’ll shake all the trouble from your worried mind
Get rhythm when you get the bluesGet rhythm when you get the blues
Come on, get rhythm when you get the blues
Get a rock ‘n’ roll feelin’ in your bones
Put taps on your toes and get gone
Get rhythm when you get the blues