☝️ Key Points
- The protagonist, under the influence of drugs, kills his wife, hides the weapon, and tries to flee.
- He is arrested in Juarez, Mexico, and admits to killing his wife due to her infidelity and his anger.
- After being convicted and returning, he is tried and convicted by twelve men for first-degree murder.
- The judge sentences the protagonist to 99 years in Folsom Prison.
- The song ends with a strong moral in which the character warns others about the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse.
Interpretation
'Cocaine Blues' by
Johnny Cash tells the story of a man who, under the influence of cocaine, shoots his wife. The song follows his escape, arrest, conviction, and ultimately a moral lesson he draws from it.
In the first verse, the protagonist 'takes a shot of cocaine' and shoots his wife. He goes home, goes to bed, and hides the gun under his pillow.
The next morning starts with another dose of cocaine and the decision to flee. Despite his efforts, he is arrested in Juarez, Mexico.
In jail, he encounters the sheriff who reveals his true identity. He admits to killing his wife because she angered him and he discovered she had multiple lovers.
After his arrest, he is brought back home and locked up in jail. The next morning, he is brought to court where he is judged by twelve honest men. The verdict is first-degree murder and the protagonist pleads for mercy.
The judge sentences him to 99 years in Folsom Prison. The song ends with a warning from the protagonist to others: 'Listen to me, lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be.' The song portrays the dark side of drug abuse and the serious consequences that can result from it.