| Cain's Blood | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | 4 Runner |
| Album: | 4 Runner |
| B-Side: | "Ten Pound Hammer"[1] |
| Released: | February 1995 |
| Recorded: | September 1994 |
| Genre: | Country |
| Length: | 3:52 |
| Label: | Polydor |
| Producer: | Buddy Cannon, Larry Shell |
| Next Title: | A Heart with 4 Wheel Drive |
| Next Year: | 1995 |
"Cain's Blood" is a song originally recorded by American country pop artist Michael Johnson. He co-wrote the song with Jack Sundrud and recorded it on his 1995 album Departure. It was recorded the same year by the country vocal group 4 Runner, whose version was released as their debut single from their album 4 Runner. 4 Runner's version of the song reached number 26 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.[1]
The song is about "the tug and pull [between good and evil] that goes on inside each and every one of us", according to Polydor Records then-president Steve Miller.[2] It uses the Biblical story of Cain and Abel to represent the narrator's struggle between good and evil.[3] Co-writer Michael Johnson said that the idea for the chorus came to him while he was in jail for driving under the influence.[4] Johnson himself also recorded the song on his 1995 album Departure.[5]
The music video premiered in February 1995. It was filmed at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.[2]
"Cain's Blood" generally received positive reception for its Southern gospel sound.[2] The single was also compared to the sound of The Oak Ridge Boys due to the use of four-part vocal harmony.[6] Brian Wahlert of Country Standard Time wrote that the song is a "dark and moody testament to life's daily battle between good and evil in which the four voices become completely integrated into an eerie, foreboding whole."[7]
"Cain's Blood" debuted at number 74 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of March 18, 1995.