Busted

The Nashville songwriter Harlan Howard wrote this in 1962. It was originally recorded by Johnny Cash that year, but it became a hit in 1963 Charles did a soul version. Both Johnny Cash and Ray Charles could have a lot of fun with their music, and that's the case here as they sing from the perspective of a farmer who could really use a government bailout. He can't even borrow some cash, since everyone else is busted too.

This was the 1963 Grammy winner for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording.

This song's writer Harlan Howard was a prolific, legendary songwriter. Country Universe quotes him explaining some of the songwriting technique that went into "Busted": "The only thing I know to do with songs like "Why Not Me" and "Busted" – which I never thought was a good title – is to put the title in there often so that people remember it. The weaker the title, the more you gotta hear it."