A photo of Johnny Cash eating a cake in a bush has become legend on social media. It’s the picture that launched a million memes. But, the true story behind Johnny Cash’s cake photo is a far from the internet jokes that spun off.
“Johnny Cash Eating Cake In A Bush High” Memes Go Viral
Most memes circulating on social media assume that Johnny Cash was high on drugs or drunk when he ate the sweet treat with his hands while sitting in a bush.
“You may be high, but you’ll never be Johnny Cash eating cake in a bush high,” read most of the memes featuring this picture of The Man In Black.
Even at our hungriest, it’s hard to imagine eating a whole cake with our bare hands, let alone under some greenery. There had to be another factor involved – and there was, but it had nothing to do with drugs.
Your rockets might go high, but ain’t nobody higher than Johnny Cash sitting in a bush eating cake. ? pic.twitter.com/EMM99vZilK
— NuclearGeek (@nuc_geek) July 26, 2020
The iconic picture was taken for his 1975 album Strawberry Cake. It is a live album recorded at The Palladium in London, England.
Johnny Cash was not under the influence of drugs for the photo shoot.
Instead, the story behind the photo is rather touching and highlights Cash’s love for his fellow men from all walks of life.
The “Ring Of Fire” singer recognized someone’s struggle. In fact, it impacted him so much that Cash included it in his album.
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Johnny Cash’s ‘Strawberry Cake’ Record
A note from Cash himself told the story. Here’s how the note read.
“On a hot summer afternoon in New York City, June and I walked through the zoo in Central Park,” Cash said. “It was a hot dog and ice cream day. The place was crowed and giving up on the Hassle of working our way through the crowd, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the concert that night at the Garden State Art Center.”
“As we approached the hotel, I saw a bum lying on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. He never even opened his eyes when I stood over him, June said, “Come On Honey” But I said “just a minute” I walked around him, hoping he wasn’t dead,” he continued. “My shadow fell across him and when I moved on, I saw his eyes flutter as the bright sunlight hit his face. He didn’t open his eyes, but I knew he wasn’t dead.
“What are you doing?” June asked “I’m thinking about my friend here, “I said” “that could be me, you know” June came over closer and smiled at me. “That was you a couple of times,” Cash said.
“Then she said again, “Come on lets go” The rest of the story is in the song. I became that man. I put myself in his place and my mind, he finally won. I wish I knew who he is, and where he is. I’d send him a piece of Strawberry Cake.”
The back of Johnny Cash’s record, “Strawberry Cake” pic.twitter.com/Lu8pRSa9Ls
— FanzForever (@forever_fanz) February 26, 2019
This Country Outlaw Was Legend
This won’t come as a surprise to those who knew the man behind the country outlaw.
Johnny Cash was a man of great faith.
In life, we all stumble and fall and sin. Some people have greater struggles than others and this country legend recognized that.
You can hear Johnny Cash recount the true story and sing “Strawberry Cake” for Dinah Shore in the video from 1975 below.
Now you know the real story behind Johnny Cash’s viral cake meme!
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