Johnny Cash was a well-known singer-songwriter and one of the most inspirational figures in country music and American roots music.

Known as The Man in Black, Cash blended country, rock, folk, and gospel into a gritty, unmistakable sound that told stories of heartache, justice, faith, and rebellion.

He rose to fame in the 1950s with hits like I Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues, and Ring of Fire, combining raw lyrics with a commanding voice.

Cash was also known for his prison concerts, especially the live album At Folsom Prison (1968), which showed his empathy for the underdog and solidified his outlaw image.

About the Song

One Piece at a Time is a humorous country song about an auto worker who builds his dream Cadillac by smuggling out parts over the years.

Its quirky storytelling and toe-tapping rhythm made it one of Cash’s most memorable novelty hits.

One Piece at a Time Lyrics

Verse 1

Well, I left Kentucky back in ’49
And went to Detroit, working on assembly line
The first year, they had me putting wheels on Cadillacs
Every day, I’d watch them beauties roll by
And sometimes, I’d hang my head and cry
‘Cause I always wanted me one that was long and black
One day, I devised myself a plan
That should be the envy of most any man
I’d sneak it out of there in a lunchbox in my hand
Now, getting caught meant getting fired
But I figured I’d have it all by the time I retired
I’d have me a car worth at least a hundred grand

Chorus

I’d get it one piece at a time
And it wouldn’t cost me a dime
You’d know it’s me when I come through your town
I’m gonna ride around in style
I’m gonna drive everybody wild
‘Cause I’ll have the only one there is around

Verse 2

So the very next day, when I punched in
With my big lunchbox and with help from my friend
I left that day with a lunchbox full of gears
I’ve never considered myself a thief
But GM wouldn’t miss just one little piece
Especially if I strung it out over several years
The first day, I got me a fuel pump
And the next day, I got me an engine and a trunk
Then I got me a transmission and all the chrome
The little things I could get in my big lunchbox
Like nuts and bolts and all four shocks
But the big stuff we snuck out in my buddy’s mobile home
Now, up to now, my plan went alright
‘Til we tried to put it all together one night
And that’s when we noticed that something was definitely wrong
The transmission was a ’53
And the motor turned out to be a ’73
And when we tried to put in the bolts, all the holes were gone
So we drilled it out so that it would fit
And with a little bit of help from an adaptor kit
We had that engine running just like a song
Now the headlights, they was another sight
We had two on the left and one on the right
But when we pulled out the switch, all three of ’em come on
The back end looked kind of funny too
But we put it together and when we got through
Well, that’s when we noticed that we only had one tail fin
About that time my wife walked out
And I could see in her eyes that she had her doubts
But she opened the door and said, “Honey, take me for a spin”
So we drove up town just to get the tags
And I headed her right on down main drag
I could hear everybody laughing for blocks around
But up there at the courthouse, they didn’t laugh
‘Cause to type it up, it took the whole staff
And when they got through, the title weighed sixty pounds

Chorus

I got it one piece at a time
And it didn’t cost me a dime
You’ll know it’s me when I come through your town
I’m gonna ride around in style
I’m gonna drive everybody wild
‘Cause I’ll have the only one there is around

Outro

Uh, yeah, Red Ryder?
This is the Cotton Mouth in the Psycho-Billy Cadillac, come on
Huh? This is the Cotton Mouth
And negatory on the cost of this machine, there, Red Ryder
You might say I went right up to the factory and picked it up
It’s cheaper that way
Uh, what model is it?
Well, it’s a ’49, ’50, ’51, ’52, ’53, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59 automobile
It’s a ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69, ’70 automobile

Similar Songs Like One Piece at a Time

If you are into old-time pop songs or classic songs, here’s a list of similar song recommendations that you might like:

• A Boy Named Sue: It is a witty and gritty tale of a man with an unfortunate name. This song blends humor and toughness in a father-son showdown. Cash delivers it live with playful energy and grit.
• The One on the Right Is on the Left: This satirical track pokes fun at political division within a band. With its clever lyrics and catchy tune, it’s classic Cash-style humor with a message.
• Folsom Prison Blues: Told from a prisoner’s point of view, this gritty anthem mixes dark humor and regret. Its legendary line I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die is unforgettable.

Similar Artists Like Johnny Cash

Fans of Johnny Cash might also appreciate these pop-country legends, artists who bring raw emotion, storytelling grit, and timeless outlaw spirit to their unique musical careers:

• Willie Nelson
  Genres: Country, Outlaw Country, Folk
  Top Albums: Red Headed Stranger, Stardust, Shotgun Willie
• Waylon Jennings
  Genres: Outlaw Country, Country Rock
  Top Albums: Honky Tonk Heroes, Dreaming My Dreams, Are You Ready for the Country
• Kris Kristofferson
  Genres: Country, Folk, Americana
  Top Albums: Kristofferson, The Silver Tongued Devil and I, Jesus Was a Capricorn

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Story Behind the Song?

The song tells the humorous tale of an auto worker who, unable to afford a Cadillac, decides to steal one by taking home parts from the assembly line over many years.

What is a Psychobilly Cadillac?

The term comes from a lyric in the song describing the cobbled-together car. The phrase later inspired the name of the psychobilly subgenre of rockabilly music.

Have Other Artists Covered the Song?

Yes, it was covered by the Chicago rock band Tub Ring for the 2001 Johnny Cash tribute album Cash from Chaos.