A new Johnny Cash song, “Spotlight,” has been unearthed for the late musician’s forthcoming posthumous album, Songwriter.
With The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach on guitar, “Spotlight” is a warm, bluesy mid-tempo number from Cash. It highlights the country icon’s crystal-clear baritone and features an entrancing guitar solo from Auerbach in the bridge. Helping elevate the song are flourishes of strings, some strutting bongos, and majestic production. Stream “Spotlight” below.
Johnny Cash wrote and recorded “Spotlight” for a demo session in 1993, and his son, John Carter Cash, resurrected his vocals and arrangement for the new album. “Spotlight” is the second offering from Songwriter, following earlier single “Well Alright.” Like each song on Songwriter, “Spotlight” was written solely by Johnny Cash.
“It was the thrill of a lifetime to be able to play guitar on a Johnny Cash song,” Dan Auerbach said in a statement. “Hearing his voice through the speakers in my studio sent chills down my spine. I can’t thank John Carter and Fergie enough for including me.”
John Carter Cash, who is the co-producer of Songwriter alongside David “Fergie” Ferguson, echoed Auerbach’s claims: “It was great to have Dan be a part of ‘Spotlight’ and to add his guitar tones and his sounds to this incredible song. I think it really opened it up into a different direction.”
In addition to Auerbach’s appearance on “Spotlight,” the 11-track album also features contributions from Vince Gill and Waylon Jennings as well as Nashville staples and Johnny Cash favorites, Marty Stuart, Pete Abbott, the late Dave Roe, and more. Songwriter is out everywhere on June 28th.