Johnny Cash

Lyrics

[Intro]
"I want you to, if you don't mind, Carl, I'd like you to stay out and help us on some songs, play the guitar."
"I'd love to!"
"One of the greatest guitar players as well as songwriters and singers in the business. Appreciate a little help on the guitar, all right?"

[Verse 1]
Well, my daddy left home when I was three
And he didn't leave much to ma and me
Just 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 he ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me "Sue"

[Verse 2]
Well, he must've thought that it was quite a joke
And it got a lot of laughs from a lots of folks
It seems I had to fight my whole life through
Some gal would giggle and I'd get red
And some guy'd laugh then I'd bust his head
I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named "Sue"

[Verse 3]
Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean
My fists got hard and my wits got keen
Roamed 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 the man who gave me that awful name
[Verse 4]
Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I just hit town and my throat was dry
I 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"

[Verse 5]
Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad
From a worn-out picture that my mother'd had
And I 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're going to die!"
Yeah, that's what I told him!

[Verse 6]
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
But I busted a chair right across his teeth
And we crashed through the wall and into the street
Kicking and a-gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer
[Verse 7]
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
I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss
And he went for his gun and I pulled mine first
He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile

[Verse 8]
And he said, "Son, this world is rough
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough
And I knew I wouldn't be there to help you along
So I give you that name and I said goodbye
I knew you'd have to get tough or die
And it's that name that helped to make you strong"
Yeah

[Verse 9]
He said, "Now you just fought one hell 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 your guts and the spit in your eye
Because I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you Sue"
[Verse 10]
I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
And I called him my pa, and he called me his son
And I came 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 son, I think I'm gonna name him
Bill or George! Anything but Sue! I still hate that name!

A Boy Named Sue, a song performed by Johnny Cash during his live concert at San Quentin, is a classic country hit that has been enjoyed for generations. Famed musician, poet, and author Shel Silverstein wrote this song, along with numerous other well-known country songs. Although Silverstein is most known today for his books of silly children’s poetry, his country music contributions are nothing to scoff at.

About A Boy Named Sue

A Boy Named Sue recounts the humorous and gritty tale of a young man who seeks out revenge on his father for naming him a feminine name. Cash’s performance is raw and emotive, bringing the lyrics to life with each strum of his guitar.

In the song, the boy grows up without a father in his life, causing him to harbor resentment towards the man who gave him such a “girly” name. As he sets out to find his father and make him pay for his childhood struggles, he learns some hard lessons about men, relationships, and the surprises that life has in store for him.

The lyrics are witty and pointed, offering humor and insight into human nature. Listeners are pulled into the story, empathizing with the boy's pain while laughing at the absurdity of the father's actions, culminating into an engaging narrative.

The Cultural Impact of A Boy Named Sue

When A Boy Named Sue was released, it quickly climbed the music charts and spent three weeks at #2. Cash's live recording of the song catapulted it to fame – an impressive feat given that the song wasn't written by him.

The song's popularity had a broad cultural impact, introducing a new generation of listeners to country music. Its witty and irreverent lyrics, combined with Cash's unique style, helped to broaden the appeal of the genre, bringing it to new audiences who might not have otherwise given it a chance.

Furthermore, A Boy Named Sue was one of the only country songs inexistence at the time that explored unconventional themes, digging into the emotionally charged rift between a father and a son. Its impact on the country music scene is undeniable, paving the way for other artists to take risks and break from the traditional country music norms.

Conclusion

With its clever lyrics, rich storytelling, and haunting melody, A Boy Named Sue is a song that continues to captivate audiences to this day. Its impact on the music industry and country music, in particular, will forever be remembered. When you listen to the song, you are transported back to a time when country music was booming and Cash ruled the industry. The song's timeless quality is a testament to its lyrical prowess and the enduring influence of its creators.

• Release Date: July 2, 1969
• Artist: Johnny Cash