The Inspiration Behind These Famous Songs Show That A Great Idea Can Come From Anywhere

Sunday Morning Coming Down

Jan Olofsson / Contributor

Selling more than 90 million records worldwide, there’s no debating that Johnny Cash was one of the greatest musicians of his time. But you don’t have a successful career spanning six decades without drawing inspiration from some unique places.

Rumor has it that the legendary singer-songwriter (and apparently sometimes, pilot) Kris Kristofferson landed a helicopter on Cash’s lawn at his Nashville home. Legend says Kristofferson had a beer in hand and announced, “I thought this might be the best way to get a song to you—bring it right out of the sky.” Although Kristofferson later said Cash wasn’t even home when he delivered the song pitch, Cash released “Sunday Morning Coming Down” late that year where it peaked at number one. That wasn’t the only unique place Cash drew inspiration from.