How Johnny Cash Inspired Contemporary Southern Gothic

Johnny Cash was — and still is — a titan of country and rock music. The specter of Cash is felt in every chugging acoustic guitar lick and every crooner singing a melancholy tune. However, very few consider the impact of Cash on the world of literature. In fact, Cash’s lyrical prowess and all-black aesthetic hit the horror genre hard enough to create a new subgenre: Southern Gothic.

The swamp of Southern Gothic writing is rich with literary achievement, hosting classic authors like William Faulkner alongside contemporary voices like Anne Rice and Cherie Priest. Often, Southern Gothic focuses on eccentric characters and dark themes centered on poverty, social alienation, and violence presented in humorous or sarcastic ways.