The Statler Brothers – We Got Paid by Cash

About The Song

“We Got Paid by Cash” was released in 1980 by The Statler Brothers as a tribute song to Johnny Cash. The song has a duration of 3:38 and was made available on various music streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify. The song serves as a nostalgic reflection on The Statler Brothers’ relationship with Johnny Cash, who played a pivotal role in their career development and success.

The Statler Brothers wrote this tribute song to Johnny Cash, who discovered them. From 1964 to 1972, The Statler Brothers sang as opening act and backup singers for Johnny Cash. The song references their hiring by Johnny Cash in March 1964 to open up his show. This eight-year period with Cash provided The Statler Brothers with invaluable experience and exposure that would later contribute to their independent success.

The Statler Brothers performed “We Got Paid by Cash” live on Johnny Cash’s “First 25 Years” show. This performance demonstrated the enduring bond between The Statler Brothers and Johnny Cash, even after their professional relationship as touring partners had ended. The live performance on Cash’s television special provided a platform for The Statler Brothers to publicly acknowledge Cash’s influence on their career trajectory.

The group remained closely tied to their gospel roots, with a majority of their records containing at least one gospel song. Originally performing Southern gospel music at local churches, the group billed themselves as The Four Star Quartet, and later The Kingsmen. Their gospel background influenced their vocal harmonies and musical style, which became a defining characteristic of their sound throughout their career.

Johnny Cash was noted for his love of the common man, which resonated with The Statler Brothers and their music. This shared appreciation for everyday people and their stories became a common thread in both Cash’s and The Statler Brothers’ songwriting approaches. The relationship between Cash and The Statler Brothers extended beyond professional collaboration to personal friendship and mutual respect.

The song represents more than just a tribute; it serves as a historical document of The Statler Brothers’ early career and their gratitude toward the man who gave them their first major break in the music industry. The title itself plays on Johnny Cash’s name while referencing the literal payment they received for their performances, creating a clever wordplay that reflects the group’s appreciation for both the financial and career opportunities Cash provided.

Video

Lyric

It started March of sixty-four
Many years ago
We were hired by Johnny Cash
To open up his show

Four boys, a worn out Cadillac
With a road map on the dash
For the next eight and one half years
We got paid by Cash

He took us down to Nashville
To Columbia studio
Not knowing where we came from
They told us where to go

But Johnny said, “I like ’em
Don’t you give them no trash”
You see, we were Johnny’s little boys
And we got paid by Cash

We were there when June became Johnny’s lovin’ bride
And we sang to him that mornin’
Our buddy Luther died

And we were there when the son was born
That filled them both with pride
And we were there when John remembered
God was on his side

We watched him on the concert stage
We watched him write his songs
And saw the things we had to do
And the things that could go wrong

And if we had to start again
We’d do it in a flash
‘Cause we learned more than we earned
When we got paid by Cash

Then came the time when our career
Demanded that we go
And through some tears we all shook hands
That last and final show

All those years we never had
A contract or a clash
Whatever we may be today
We owe it all to Cash

We were there when June became Johnny’s lovin’ bride
And we sang to him that mornin’
Our buddy Luther died

And we were there when the son was born
That filled them both with pride
And we were there when John remembered
God was on his side

Now John will tell you there were years
When times were good and bad
But we can tell you they were some
Of the best we ever had

Carl Perkins and the Carters
And the Tennessee Three
We were one big happy family
And would have done it all for free

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