"When I record somebody else's song, I have to make it my own or it doesn't feel right. I'll say to myself, I wrote this and he doesn't know it!"

Johnny Cash was a famous country music singer and songwriter who was known for his special style and noise. His quote speaks to the value of making a song your own when you are covering someone else's work. He thought that if he didn't make the tune his own, it wouldn't feel right. He was a master of taking a tune and making it his own, including his own distinct style and flavor to it. He was likewise understood for his capability to make a song his own without altering the original lyrics. He was able to do this by changing the melody, adding his own singing inflections, and including his own guitar licks. By doing this, he had the ability to make a song his own while still keeping the initial spirit of the song intact. Johnny Cash was a master of making a song his own and this quote talks to his commitment to making a tune his own.