About The Song
“Guess Things Happen That Way” was written by Jack Clement in 1958 for Johnny Cash. Clement, a producer and songwriter at Sun Records, crafted the song to capture a resigned acceptance of life’s unpredictability, drawing from his own experiences. Cash recorded it on April 9, 1958, at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, with Clement and Sam Phillips producing. The track was released as a single in May 1958 by Sun Records, with “Come In, Stranger” as the B-side, and included on the album Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous, released in November 1958. The song, running 1:50, is a country-rockabilly track featuring Cash’s baritone, Luther Perkins’ sparse guitar, and Marshall Grant’s bass, backed by a subtle vocal chorus.
The single entered the Billboard Top Pop Singles (Hot 100 equivalent) at number 66 on June 2, 1958, peaking at number 11 on July 7, 1958, and charted for 15 weeks. It also reached number 1 on the Billboard Best Sellers in Stores (country) chart for six weeks and number 6 on the R&B chart, reflecting its crossover appeal. Internationally, it peaked at number 8 in Canada’s CHUM Chart. The song sold over 500,000 copies, earning a gold record certification. Cash Box described it as a “catchy, upbeat country tune” with “smooth vocals and a driving beat,” noting its broad market potential.
Background details include Clement writing the song after observing Cash’s struggles with fame and personal life, aiming for a lighter tone than his darker hits. Recorded with the Tennessee Two, the session was quick, capturing Cash’s raw delivery. The song’s optimistic yet fatalistic lyrics resonated with audiences, aligning with Cash’s persona. Covers include versions by Emmylou Harris (1981) and Tommy Cash (1968). Cash performed it on The Grand Ole Opry in 1958 and later on The Johnny Cash Show in 1969. No major controversies surrounded the song, though its pop-leaning production sparked minor debate among country purists about Cash’s direction at Sun.
Expert commentary includes AllMusic’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine, who called it a “polished gem” that showcased Cash’s ability to blend introspection with accessibility. Songfacts noted its role in sustaining Cash’s chart momentum after “I Walk the Line.” Rolling Stone praised its “effortless simplicity,” crediting Clement’s songwriting for complementing Cash’s voice. The song’s inclusion in the 2005 film Walk the Line, performed by Joaquin Phoenix, and its use in a 2003 episode of American Dreams highlight its enduring appeal. Its performance at Cash’s 1968 Folsom Prison concert, though not released as a single, added to its legacy, with inmates’ cheers amplifying its live energy.
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Lyric
Well, you ask me if I’ll forget my baby
I guess I will, someday
I don’t like it, but I guess things happen that way
You ask me if I’ll get along
I guess I will, someway
I don’t like it, but I guess things happen that wayGod gave me that girl to lean on
Then He put me on my own
Heaven help me be a man
And have the strength to stand alone
I don’t like it, but I guess things happen that wayYou ask me if I’ll miss her kisses
I guess I will, everyday
I don’t like it, but I guess things happen that way
You ask me if I’ll find another
I don’t know, I can’t say
I don’t like it, but I guess things happen that wayGod gave me that girl to lean on
Then He put me on my own
Heaven help me be a man
And have the strength to stand alone
I don’t like it, but I guess things happen that way