The Beast In Me Lyrics

Everyone is mostly right. Though it was written long after the worst of it, the song is definitely about Cash's drug use specifically. That said, no he himself didn't write it; his son-in-law, Nick Lowe (who also sang 'The Sopranos version'), did, for him.
And while it is about that in specific, in general, it can be about any personal demon that affects a person for the worse, whether it be anger, drug/drink abuse, phobias or simply under-confidence. Anything that you may have thought was 'done with', that wouldn't affect you again. Anyone that has had any issue (which is, basically, everyone) must be able to relate.
The best part of the song for me? The single acoustic guitar that most people accompany the song with. It highlights (1) the calm saneness of the person when 'the beast' is not around AND (2) just how fragile the person is, all at the same time.

altough i dont know what time in his life this song was written, this song is most deffinitley about his drug abuse.

except that he didn't write it...

it could mean any beast, be it drugs, sex, violence, etc., anything that gives us any form of 'power' over whatever (lol, I'm stoned)

nick lowe, carlene carter's ex wrote it for cash.
For cash or for Cash? Both maybe :)
For cash or for Cash? Both maybe :)

I think this song is about internal conflcit one is facing -- whether it be a personal and emotional ordeal or whatever. I prefer Lowe's version, honestly, as much as I love Cash...

The Hangover 2 brought me here. I only used to know the Sopranos version of this song, and now I love the Cash version