About the song
“A Boy Named Sue” by Johnny Cash is a rollicking and humorous song that tells the tale of a young man’s quest for revenge against his absentee father. Written by Shel Silverstein, the renowned poet and author, the song was released by Cash in 1969 as a single and later included on his album *At San Quentin*. It quickly became one of Cash’s signature songs, earning him widespread acclaim and commercial success.
The song’s protagonist, named Sue by his father just before abandoning him as a child, grows up resentful and determined to confront his absent parent. The lyrics recount Sue’s humorous and often absurd adventures as he tracks down his father, culminating in a bittersweet reunion that challenges his preconceptions about manhood and family.
Upon its release, “A Boy Named Sue” became an instant hit, topping both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts. The song’s irreverent humor and catchy melody struck a chord with audiences, earning it a place in the pantheon of Johnny Cash’s most beloved songs. Its success was further solidified by Cash’s electrifying live performances, including his legendary rendition at the San Quentin State Prison, which was recorded for the album that bears its name.
The song’s popularity extended beyond the charts, influencing popular culture and earning critical acclaim. “A Boy Named Sue” won the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, in 1970, showcasing Cash’s enduring appeal and the song’s lasting impact on the music world.
For fans of Johnny Cash, “A Boy Named Sue” remains a cherished favorite, celebrated for its wit, charm, and timeless storytelling. Its themes of identity, family, and the complexities of fatherhood continue to resonate with listeners of all ages, making it a classic in the country music canon.
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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