<<<Back to page 2

It takes a while to get to the murder in “The Box That it Came In.” In fact, when I first listened to this song I wondered why it had been included in a murder ballad mix that I friend had shared with me. But the reveal of “and the box he comes home in, will be all satin lined” is worth the wait!

“But in my heart’s arithmetic I know it takes two heels to click” from “The Heel,” may be the most heart breaking lyric. After all this set up, after all the lies, she knows she’s part of this relationship. The song offers no escape. Maybe the reason for staying is not love for “The Heel” but logistics? Finances, lack of ambition, no family to go to, no support system. How can she break free? The only way out is fantasy. In that way it seems like an all too familiar story of women in bad relationships.

Maybe I’m relating too closely to speak generally … is this all projection? Perhaps. Oh god, I hope my fiancé’s not reading this… I don’t relate with all of it, dear. Just to the exhausting undertow of piecing together paychecks.

“I’m sick of playing solitaire. The Ace of Spades is everywhere,” this line had me stumped. I wasn’t sure what the significance of the Ace of Spades is in Solitaire. I thought you just move that card to another column like any other Ace. Well, turns out the Ace of Spades has significance in some areas.

In Tarot reading from a 52-card deck, the ace of spades is THE DEATH CARD.

Also a considerably more disturbing and graphic bit I ran across was, “US troops believed that Vietnamese traditions held the symbolism of the spade to mean death and ill-fortune and in a bid to scare away Viet Cong soldiers without a firefight, it was common practice to leave an ace of spades on the bodies of killed Vietnamese and even to litter the forested grounds and fields with the card.” Click here for more info on that.

“The Heel” is driving, witty, and a little more poppy. The song predates June Carter’s marriage to Johnny Cash, so we can assume it is not about him. But it is right in the middle of her marriage to a Nashville police officer Edwin “Rip” Nix. Innnnnnnteresting. It drives the whole time, with only a key change to up the ante.

I thought it was just the stink of the era that was on “The Heel” in terms of the sort of swelling Vegas big sound, but it turns out there may be a more direct lineage to that style since “The Heel” is a version of this French song. Written in 1954 by Leo Ferre. Recorded that same year by Catherine Sauvage.

L’Homme

Also, a surprise to me was that Eartha Kitt released “The Heel” first in 1955.

The Eartha Kitt version is technically polished, but I do not feel like I’m listening to the singer weave a story. I feel like I’m listening to a singer playing an instrument well. Her distinct (and incredibly awesome) voice, the cinematic feel of it, its tempo all seem to hide the pain of the song.

It wasn’t until 1961 that “The Heel” was sung by June Carter Cash. To me, that’s the version that has the most heart and is more intimate in its vocal presentation. I believe the singer is the character, not just singing the song. I particularly like the changing of a few lyrics to take it from city mouse to country mouse. “Gal” for “Dame,” add “dirty low down” in front of the heel, and in the fadeout she cries, “that lowdown lovable heel” … aye there’s the rub.

June Carter Cash has of course written other murder ballads. In fact a few are sandwiched together nicely in her two-disc compilation Keep On the Sunny Side. Which actually, the inside of the CD case is also a great little read, if you’ve got the vision for it. The print is small. “Tall Lover Man” is an original murder ballad by June, in which a dark haired maiden kills her two-timing tall lover man, and then herself. And “How Did You Get Away From Me” Written by June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash and Anita Carter. Listen for the full on Benny Hill solo on the flute at the minute mark of the song. She’s so awesome.

I’m not sure I’m ready to say that I wouldn’t have loved the extra golden nugget if June Carter Cash or Wanda Jackson wrote these songs, or that I can unequivocally say it doesn’t matter who writes something. Agency is important, but I can see two good stories being told, and appreciate the fact that a women’s story is being told from her point of view. And I still like the songs. Also, I learned about a brand new song and the lineage of an old favorite.

Both “The Box That It Came In” and “The Heel” feel finite. I don’t think those women are ever going to do it. June’s character will never sit back and let that black sheep drink the blackest coffee and Wanda’s heroine may never find peace of mind. But it sure is nice to hear them fantasize.

— Becky Poole