Unraveling the Story Behind Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue”
In the illustrious tapestry of American music history, few names shine as brightly as Johnny Cash. With his deep, gravelly voice and a knack for storytelling, Cash left an indelible mark on the world of country music. Among his many iconic songs, perhaps none is as intriguing and humorous as “A Boy Named Sue.”
Released in 1969, “A Boy Named Sue” quickly became one of Cash’s signature tunes, captivating audiences with its witty narrative and catchy melody. But what exactly is the story behind this unconventional song?
At its core, “A Boy Named Sue” tells the tale of a young man who sets out on a quest for vengeance against his absentee father. The twist? The father named his son Sue before abandoning him, setting the stage for a lifetime of ridicule and hardship. Fueled by a mix of anger and determination, Sue embarks on a journey to track down his father and confront him for his unconventional choice of name.
The song unfolds like a rollicking adventure, complete with barroom brawls, showdowns in the desert, and a final reconciliation that is as heartwarming as it is unexpected. Through Cash’s masterful storytelling and expressive delivery, listeners are transported into Sue’s world, where resilience and humor go hand in hand.
But what many fans may not realize is that “A Boy Named Sue” was not just a product of Cash’s imagination. In fact, the song was penned by beloved children’s author Shel Silverstein, best known for classics like “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and “The Giving Tree.” Silverstein, a close friend of Cash’s, drew inspiration from his own experiences growing up with an unconventional name, infusing the song with a sense of authenticity and empathy.
From its humble beginnings as a live performance at San Quentin State Prison to its eventual ascent to the top of the charts, “A Boy Named Sue” has become a timeless anthem of resilience and defiance. Its universal themes of identity, family, and the power of laughter resonate as strongly today as they did over five decades ago.
In the pantheon of Johnny Cash’s legendary catalog, “A Boy Named Sue” stands out as a shining example of his unique ability to blend humor with heartache, turning a seemingly absurd premise into a poignant meditation on the human experience. So the next time you find yourself humming along to its infectious chorus, take a moment to appreciate the rich tapestry of storytelling that lies at the heart of this beloved classic. After all, as Johnny Cash himself once said, “You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.”
Artist: Johnny Cash
Album: At San Quentin
Released: 1969
Awards: Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, MORE
Nominations: Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, MORE
Genre: Country
Lyrics
Well, my daddy left home when I was three
And he didn’t leave much to ma and me
Just this ‘ol 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 musta thought that it was quite a joke
And it got a lot of laughs from a lot’s a folks
Seems I had to fight my whole life through
Some gal would giggle and I’d get red
And some guy’d laugh, and I’d bust his head
I’ll tell ya, life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue
Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean
My fist got hard, 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 that man that gave me that awful name
Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I’d 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 dealin’ 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’d had
And I knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye
He was big and bent and grey 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!”
Yeah, that’s what I told him
Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes
And he went down, but to my surprise
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 walls and into the street
Kickin’ and a gougin’ in the mud and the blood and the beer
I’ll tell ya, 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 reached for his gun, but I pulled mine first
He stood there lookin’ at me, and then I saw him smile
He said, “Son, this world is rough and if a man’s gonna make it he’s gotta be tough
And I know I wouldn’t be there to help you along
So I gave you that name and I said goodbye
And I knew you’d have to get tough or die
And it’s that name that helped to make you strong, ” yeah
He said, “Now you just fought one hell of a fight
And I know you hate me and ya got t’right
To kill me now, and I wouldn’t blame you if you do
But ya ought to thank me before I die
For the gravel in your gut and the spit in the eye
‘Cause I’m the son of a bitch that named you Sue”
Yeah, what did I do? What could I do?
I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
I called him my pa, and he called me his son
And I 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 boy, I think I’m gonna name him
Bill or George, any damn thing but Sue
I still hate that man, yeah
Thank you
Alright, thank you very much