Not only is his music good, he was a deep, interesting man to get into his head. He struggled very much with many vices, but he came out of them. And his music is the better for it. His songs (some, anyway) are much more emotionally deep than others I have heard. And some of his story songs are much more interesting than others. I'm talking more mercy seat than chicken in black, of course.
On top of all this, deep brain stimulation has caused OCD patients to love him. (Google it!) I'll ask again, who can beat Johnny Cash?
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Very few.