Introduction:
“A Boy Named Sue” by Johnny Cash, recorded live at San Quentin State Prison in 1969, is a rollicking tale of humor, resilience, and the complexities of father-son relationships. This iconic performance showcases Cash’s storytelling prowess and his ability to connect with audiences through his charismatic stage presence and distinctive baritone voice. With its catchy melody and witty lyrics, “A Boy Named Sue” has become one of Cash’s most beloved and enduring songs, captivating listeners with its timeless appeal.
Did You Know?:
- Inspiration Behind the Song: “A Boy Named Sue” was written by Shel Silverstein, the acclaimed author, poet, and songwriter known for his whimsical and irreverent style. The song’s humorous narrative follows the adventures of a young man named Sue, who sets out to track down his absentee father in order to seek revenge for the name he was given. The character of Sue was inspired by Silverstein’s friend, Jean Shepherd, who recounted a similar experience from his own childhood.
- Live Performance at San Quentin: Cash’s live performance of “A Boy Named Sue” at San Quentin State Prison became one of the most memorable moments in his legendary career. The song’s irreverent humor and rebellious spirit resonated with the inmates, who responded enthusiastically to Cash’s performance. The recording captures the electric atmosphere of the concert, with inmates cheering and clapping along to the infectious beat.
- Commercial Success: Following its release, “A Boy Named Sue” achieved widespread commercial success, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and earning Cash a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, in 1970. The song’s popularity catapulted Cash to new heights of fame and solidified his reputation as a master storyteller and entertainer.
- Cultural Legacy: “A Boy Named Sue” has left an indelible mark on popular culture, inspiring numerous cover versions, parodies, and references in films, television shows, and literature. The song’s themes of resilience and the power of self-acceptance continue to resonate with audiences of all ages, making it a timeless classic that remains as relevant today as it was upon its original release.
In conclusion, “A Boy Named Sue” stands as a testament to Johnny Cash’s enduring legacy as a storyteller and entertainer. Through his lively performance and witty lyrics, Cash brings to life a memorable character and delivers a message of resilience and self-empowerment that continues to inspire listeners around the world.
Video:
Lyrics:
Well, my daddy left home when I was threeDidn’t leave very much to my mom and meExcept this old guitar and an empty bottle of boozeNow I don’t blame him ’cause he run and hidBut the meanest thing that my daddy ever didWas before he left, he went and named me SueWell, he must’ve thought that it was quite a jokeAnd I got a lot of laughs from a lots of folkSeems I had to fight my whole life throughSome gal would giggle and I’d turn redAnd some guy’d laugh and I’d bust his headI tell you, life ain’t easy for a boy named SueBut I grew up quick and I grew up meanMy fist got hard and my wits got keenerRoam from town to town to hide my shameBut I made me a vow to the moon and starsI’d search the honky tonks and barsAnd kill that man that gave me that awful nameWell, it was Gatlinburg in mid-JulyAnd I just hit town and my throat was dryThought I’d stop and have myself a brewAt an old saloon on a street of mudThere at a table, dealing studSat the dirty, mangy dog that named me SueWell, I knew that snake was my own sweet dadFrom a worn out picture that my mother hadKnew that scar on his cheek and his evil eyeHe was big and bent and gray and oldAnd I looked at him and my blood ran coldAnd I said, “My name is Sue, how do you do?Now you gonna die”, that’s what I told himWell, I hit him hard right between the eyesAnd he went down, but to my surpriseHe come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my earThen I busted a chair right across his teethAnd we crashed through the walls and into the streetKicking and a-gouging in the mud and the blood and the beerWell, I tell you, I’ve fought tougher menBut I really can’t remember whenHe kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodileWell, I heard him laugh and then I heard him cussAnd he reached for his gun but I pulled mine firstHe stood there lookin’ at me and I saw him smileAnd he said, “Son, this world is roughAnd if a man’s gonna make it, he’s gotta be toughI knew I wouldn’t be there to help you alongSo I give you that name, and I said goodbyeAnd I knew you’d have to get tough or dieIt’s that name that helped to make you strong”He said, “Now you just fought one heck of a fightAnd I know you hate me, and you got the right to kill me nowAnd I wouldn’t blame you if you doBut you ought to thank me, before I dieFor 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 gunI called him my pa, and he called me his sonCome away with a different point of viewAnd I think about him, now and thenEvery time I try and every time I win, and if I ever have a-Well, if I ever have a boy, I’ll name himFrank or George or Bill or Tom, anything but SueI don’t want him go around, man call him Sue all his lifeThat’s a horrible thing to do to a boy trying to get a hold in the worldNamed a boy a Sue