About the song
“A Boy Named Sue,” a classic from the legendary Johnny Cash, stands out as one of the most iconic songs in the annals of American country music. Penned by the prolific humorist and poet Shel Silverstein, this song made its debut on Cash’s live album, “At San Quentin,” released in 1969. The album itself is a remarkable piece of musical history, capturing the raw and energetic performance of Cash in front of an audience of inmates at San Quentin State Prison in California.
The song’s narrative, which humorously yet poignantly tells the tale of a boy seeking revenge on his absentee father who named him Sue, struck a chord with many and quickly climbed the charts. “A Boy Named Sue” soared to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, an impressive feat for a country song at the time, and topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, cementing its place as a crossover hit. It also received a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, in 1970, further solidifying Cash’s status as a music legend.
Shel Silverstein, known for his whimsical yet profound writing, crafted the song’s lyrics with a perfect blend of humor and heartache, making it resonate deeply with listeners. Cash’s deep, resonant voice and his masterful storytelling ability brought the song to life in a way that only he could. The live performance of “A Boy Named Sue” at San Quentin is particularly memorable for Cash’s playful interaction with the audience and his genuine enjoyment of the song’s narrative.
The success of “A Boy Named Sue” also played a significant role in Johnny Cash’s career, showcasing his versatility as an artist who could transcend genres and appeal to a broad audience. It remains a beloved track, often cited as a favorite by Cash’s fans and a staple in his extensive discography. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its clever writing, engaging story, and Cash’s undeniable charisma and talent.
In conclusion, “A Boy Named Sue” is more than just a humorous tale of a boy with an unusual name; it’s a testament to the storytelling prowess of Shel Silverstein and the unparalleled performance ability of Johnny Cash. It’s a song that has stood the test of time, continuing to entertain and inspire audiences decades after its release.
Video
Lyrics
Thank you
Well, my daddy left home when I was three
Didn’t leave very much to my mom and me
Except this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze
Now I don’t blame him ’cause he run and hid
But the meanest thing that my daddy ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me Sue
Well, he must’ve thought that it was quite a joke
And I got a lot of laughs from a lots of folk
Seems I had to fight my whole life through
Some gal would giggle and I’d turn red
And some guy’d laugh and I’d bust his head
I tell you, life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue
But I grew up quick and I grew up mean
My fist got hard and my wits got keener
Roam from town to town to hide my shame
But I made me a vow to the moon and stars
I’d search the honky tonks and bars
And kill that man that gave me that awful name
Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I just hit town and my throat was dry
Thought I’d stop and have myself a brew
At an old saloon on a street of mud
There at a table, dealing stud
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me Sue
Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad
From a worn out picture that my mother had
Knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye
He was big and bent and gray and old
And I looked at him and my blood ran cold
And I said, “My name is Sue, how do you do?
Now you gonna die”, that’s what I told him
Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes
And he went down, but to my surprise
He come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear
Then I busted a chair right across his teeth
And we crashed through the walls and into the street
Kicking and a-gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer
Well, I tell you, I’ve fought tougher men
But I really can’t remember when
He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile
Well, I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss
And he reached for his gun but I pulled mine first
He stood there lookin’ at me and I saw him smile
And he said, “Son, this world is rough
And if a man’s gonna make it, he’s gotta be tough
I knew I wouldn’t be there to help you along
So I give you that name, and I said goodbye
And I knew you’d have to get tough or die
It’s that name that helped to make you strong”
He said, “Now you just fought one heck of a fight
And I know you hate me, and you got the right to kill me now
And I wouldn’t blame you if you do
But you ought to thank me, before I die
For the gravel in ya gut and the spit in ya eye
‘Cause I’m the son of a bitch that named you Sue”
What could I do?
Well, I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
I called him my pa, and he called me his son
Come away with a different point of view
And I think about him, now and then
Every time I try and every time I win, and if I ever have a-
Well, if I ever have a boy, I’ll name him
Frank or George or Bill or Tom, anything but Sue
I don’t want him go around, man call him Sue all his life
That’s a horrible thing to do to a boy trying to get a hold in the world
Named a boy a Sue