Delia's Gone

Album: American Recordings (1994)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Cash originally recorded this Karl Silbersdorf and Dick Toops penned murder ballad for his 1962 The Sound of Johnny Cash album. The country legend re-recorded it in 1994, on the Rick Rubin produced American Recordings LP. He explained why he chose to redo the song: "'Delia's Gone' is the Devil's deed of daring," said Cash. "We were talking about 'Folsom Prison Blues' – and 'I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die' – and I said, 'I want another song like that.' So Rick and I started listening and we found 'Delia's Gone.' We realised I had recorded it in the '60s, but not the way I've recorded it on American, and that I should work it up and do it over. So we started working on it and we did it and we came up with this version." (Source Mojo magazine October 2013)

Comments: 1

  • Joanne from Colville WaJust curious what “one more round” is referring to. Like another drink? Or a round in a song? Or, like hubby thinks, a round of ammo??
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.