Man in Black (song)

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“Man in Black”

Single by Johnny Cash from the album Man in Black
Released	1971
Format	Vinyl
Recorded	1971
Genre	Country
Length	2:52
Label	Columbia Records
Producer	Johnny Cash

"Man in Black" (or "The Man in Black") is a protest song written and sung by and about Johnny Cash, originally released on his 1971 album of the same name. Cash himself was known as "The Man in Black" for his distinctive style of on-stage costuming. The lyrics are an after-the-fact explanation of this with the entire song as a protest statement with statements such as:

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down, Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime, But is there because he's a victim of the times.

The song was also covered by Christian rock band One Bad Pig. Punk Rock band The Street Dogs play this song at their live performances, right before they take the stage.