There’s something irresistibly playful about Johnny Cash’s “If I Told You Who It Was.” Imagine sitting around with friends, swapping stories, and someone leans in, lowers their voice, and starts to tell you a secret—except it’s Johnny Cash, and the secret is wrapped in a twangy, toe-tapping melody. This song is Cash at his most mischievous, spinning a tale that’s as much about what’s left unsaid as what’s revealed.
The magic here isn’t just in the lyrics—it’s in the way Johnny delivers them, with that sly grin you can practically hear. He teases the listener, dropping hints and winking through the verses, but never quite spilling the beans about the mystery woman at the heart of the story. It’s a masterclass in storytelling, where the real fun is in the guessing game.
What really sets this song apart is how it brings you into the joke. You feel like you’re in on a secret with Johnny, sharing a knowing look across the room. It’s that warmth and intimacy, paired with Cash’s unmistakable voice, that makes this song linger long after it ends. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just discovering his music, “If I Told You Who It Was” reminds you why Johnny Cash remains such an enduring legend—he knew how to turn a simple story into something unforgettable.
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Lyrics
I was down in music city ’bout a week ago
I wanted to see the Grand Ole Opry show,
So I hailed a cab and I headed down to Opryland
They said they sold their last ticket the day before,
So I kinda just hung around the backstage door
And down the steps she came, man oh man
My favorite female country star,
She waved to her fans and headed for her car
Her tire, unlike her body, was very flat
She said, could you change my tire
I said your wish is my desire
As she raised the lid, I grabbed her bumper jack
She said I sure do appreciate ya changing my tire
If I told you who it was, if I told you who it was
You’d say I was making it up
You’ve seen her on the screen and in country magazines
You’d think I was making it up
She said it was our little secret and by golly, I’m gonna keep it
Anyway you wouldn’t believe it if I told you who it was
She said you need a lift and I said well,
You can drop me of at the York motel,
So we headed down Briley Parkway into town
I told her I got all your records ma’am,
She smiled and said well I be damned
Say, you’re kind of cute fella, wanna mess around?
When we got to my room just to be polite
I said sure wish I could’ve heard you sing tonight
She smiled at me and said whatcha wanna hear?
Now if I was one of them country music folks
I tell you,
she’d sure get my vote for the best performance of the year
If I told you who it was, if I told you who it was
You’d say I was making it up
You’ve seen her on the screen and in country magazines
You’d think I was making it up
She said it was our little secret and by golly, I’m gonna keep it
Anyway you wouldn’t believe it if I told you who it was
Well I tell you this much,
When I put my arms around her and squeezed her real tight
She looked up at me with those big beautiful eyes,
Took a deep breath, and then sighed, and said
Howdy I’m just so proud to be here
If I told you who it was, if I told you who it was
You’d say I was making it up
You’ve seen her on the screen and in country magazines
You’d think I was making it up
She said it was our little secret and by golly, I’m gonna keep it
Anyway you wouldn’t believe it if I told you who it was