Behind the Meaning of Megan Moroney’s “Why Johnny”

Megan Moroney shared a tribute to the iconic pairing of Johnny and June Cash on her debut album, Lucky. “Why Johnny” sees the rising country star find similarities in her own relationships and the Cash’s. Moroney’s line of questioning keys the listener in to the fact that there is something personal at play. Uncover the meaning behind this song, below.

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Behind the Meaning of Megan Moroney’s “Why Johnny”

Hey, if I could I’d sit you down
Buy you a drink and ask you how
You got a cowboy ridin’

Moroney speaks to June through this track. After learning about the Cash’s relationship, Moroney found something that struck a chord with her.

“I feel like most people when they’re writing about Johnny and June, it’s about the iconic love story that everyone looks up to,” Moroney once told American Songwriter. “I was down to write about Johnny and June, but as far as the timeline of the relationship goes, I don’t really know much about them.

“They were married to two different people, so immediately, I was like, ‘That’s a little messy,’” she added. “Also, Johnny struggled with alcohol abuse and substance abuse. This song is me asking June ‘How did you stay with him through all that?’”


To slow on down and walk the line and
I’d wanna hear it from the start
How many times did he break your heart?
From what I’m readin’
Why didn’t you leave him

Moroney later reveals that she feels like she has a Johnny of her own to deal with. With that line in mind, it seems Moroney is seeking advice from another woman who has been through a similar situation.

Did you know deep down inside your bones / He’d be yours and yours alone? / Or were you just hoping, she sings, obviously stuck in the same push and pull in her own relationship.

Many people have written about the legendary love story between the Cash’s. Moroney–as she said in the quote above–attempted to offer a new perspective. We think she succeeded ten fold. Revisit this track, below.

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When he came home late on booze and pills
Lyin’ through that perfume smell comin’ off his shirt?
What made you wanna make it work?

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