12 Johnny Cash Wedding Songs for Your Big Day

Are you and your fiance fans of Johnny Cash AKA “The Man in Black?” If so, you should consider having some of his songs on your wedding playlist.

Some of Cash’s early work is a bit dark but after he met the love of his life, June Carter, he wrote some of the most romantic love songs of all time. With his famous deep bass-baritone voice, Cash’s music is timeless.

Here is a list of our favorite Johnny Cash wedding songs and where they might fit on your wedding day!

johnny cash wedding songs

“Rose of My Heart”

Written by Dolly Parton and Hugh Moffatt, Johnny Cash recorded “Rose of My Heart” shortly before his death in 2003.

Released on the album American V: A Hundred Ways in 2006, this is the ultimate love song that could be used as the first or last dance song at your reception.

“You are the rose of my heart/You are the love of my life/A flower not fading nor falling apart/If you’re tired, rest your head on my arm/Rose of my heart.”

“‘Cause I Love You”

“‘Cause I Love You” was originally recorded in 1970 off Cash’s album, Hello, I’m Johnny Cash. Several versions of the song have been re-recorded, most notably a duet with June Carter that was aired on the TV series, The Johnny Cash Show.

With super sweet lyrics, “‘Cause I Love You” could be placed anywhere in your wedding. Some good spots are walking up the aisle as a couple or cutting the wedding cake.

“I will bring you, honey/From the bee tree in the meadow/And the first time there’s a rainbow/I’ll bring you a pot of gold”

“I Promise You”

From the Johnny Cash songbook, “I Promise You” is the quintessential wedding song.

With lyrics that go along with wedding vows and an upbeat romantic vibe, this song should be used after the ceremony, possibly during the greeting line or during cocktail hour. 

“I promise you for richer or for poorer/I’ll more than share each pain that you endure/And when you’re in the autumn of your years/You’ll call me in the night and I’ll be near/I love you and I’ll let you know I do/I promise you I promise you”

“You Are My Sunshine”

This classic cover tune features Cash’s distinct deep voice with only an acoustic guitar.

“You Are My Sunshine” is the perfect song for a father/daughter or mother/son dance. Make sure you have plenty of tissues on hand for this one!

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine/You make me happy when skies are grey
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you/Please don’t take my sunshine away”

“Remember Me (I’m the One Who Loves You)”

Written by Stuart Hamblen and recorded by Johnny Cash in 1957 on the album With His Hot and Blue Guitar, “Remember Me” is another classic love tune.

A lesser-known song to those except hard-core Cash fans, this track would work as background music at cocktail hour or during dinner.

“We’re together right or wrong/Where you go I’ll tag along/Remember me, I’m the one who loves you”

“I Walk the Line”

This catchy tune is one of Johnny Cash’s most popular songs. “I Walk the Line” could be the soundtrack to your first or last wedding dance.

With romantic lyrics proclaiming love, commitment, and devotion, “I Walk the Line” is a must-have song on your wedding day playlist.

“I keep a close watch on this heart of mine/I keep my eyes wide open all the time/I keep the ends out for the tie that binds/Because you’re mine, I walk the line”

“Ring of Fire”

Originally written by Anita Carter, “Ring of Fire” is another well-known Johnny Cash song that needs to be on your wedding playlist.

This one is sure to get you and all of your guests out on the dance floor. Upbeat and catchy, expect everyone to be singing along to this classic hit.

“Love is a burning thing/And it makes a fiery ring/Bound by wild desire/I fell into a ring of fire”

“Happiness Is You”

Recorded in 1966 when Cash was first courting June Carter, “Happiness Is You” is a cute little ditty about falling in love.

This song could be placed almost anywhere on your wedding day from getting ready in the bridal suite to pre-ceremony music to cutting the cake.

“Way down the mountain I chased a moonbeam/On the beach I built sand castles too/My moonbeams faded my castles tumbled/All of this was meaningless cause happiness is you”

“I Love You Because”

This classic love song has been recorded by several musical artists including Elvis Presley and Jim Reeves. Cash’s version can be found on The Total Johnny Cash Sun Collection.

With lyrics referring to unconditional love, this tune is another one that can be placed almost anywhere on your wedding day, possibly as background music during cocktail hour or dinner.

“No matter what may be the style or season/I know your love will always see me through/I love you for a hundred-thousand reasons/But most of all I love you cause you’re you”

“You’re The Nearest Thing to Heaven”

Originally recorded on Cash’s 1961 album called Now Here’s Johnny Cash, “You’re the Nearest Thing to Heaven” is a classic love ballad that could work as your first or last song of the night.

“I have sailed the peaceful waters of the ocean deep and blue/I held my breath and watched the western sunset’s golden hue/I’ve flown above the mountain peaks and valleys wide and green/But you’re the nearest thing to heaven that I’ve seen”

“In My Life”

Cash’s version of this original tune written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles is hauntingly beautiful.

Your wedding guests will be surprised and delighted when they hear Johnny’s baritone crooning on this classic love song.

We think this song could work well as a wedding processional song.

“Though I know I’ll never lose affection/For people and things that went before/I know I’ll often stop and think about them/In my life/I love you more”

“My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You”

Cash’s version of “My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You” could be selected as one of your songs at your reception.

The rule of thumb when making a wedding reception playlist is to have one slow song for every five fast songs. The beat of this song is light and fun for wedding guests who like to do a little two-stepping.

“And my arms keep reaching for you/My eyes keep searching for you/My lips keep calling for you/And my shoes keep walking back to you”

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