Johnny Cash – A Boy Named Sue (Live at San Quentin, 1969)

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?:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 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