Boy Named Sue
Shel Silverstein
Lyrics currently unavailable…
2 fans
6 facts about this song
Song Composition1. "A Boy Named Sue" is a song written by Shel Silverstein and made famous by Johnny Cash.
2. The song was first performed live by Johnny Cash at San Quentin State Prison at a concert on February 24, 1969.
3. Despite its humorous tone, the song was reportedly inspired by a serious matter. Silverstein got the idea from his friend, humorist Jean Shepherd, who was teased as a child because of his feminine-sounding name.
|
Chart Performance4. "A Boy Named Sue" is one of Johnny Cash's most successful songs. It reached number one on the country charts and peaked at number two on the pop charts in 1969.
5. The song earned Cash a Grammy Award in 1970 for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male.
6. Notably, it is Johnny Cash's highest-charting single on the Billboard Hot 100.
|
Live Performance7. The live recording of the song was included in Cash's album "At San Quentin", which was recorded during his performance at San Quentin Prison.
8. "A Boy Named Sue" was performed without any rehearsal, Cash was handed the song by Silverstein mere minutes before he took the stage.
|
Lyrical Details9. The song tells a humorous story of a young man's quest for revenge on his father who named him Sue, a name that traditionally is given to girls.
10. In the end, the character realizes the name given by his father made him tough and strong.
11. In Cash's live performances, he would often include a "final verse" that was created for the song but not included in the recorded version.
|
Unexpected Connection12. An 'answer song' entitled "The Father of a Boy Named Sue", was written by Silverstein and performed by actor Charlie Rich, offering the father's perspective of the events in the original song.
13. The song also inspired a short animation in 1978, it featured the artwork of Silverstein and a narration by Cash himself.
|
Cultural Impact14. Over the years, the song has been covered by many artists, including the British punk band The Sex Pistols.
15. "A Boy Named Sue" remains one of Cash's signature songs and is a favorite among fans.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Boy Named Sue Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/13997184/Shel+Silverstein/Boy+Named+Sue>.
Powered by CITE.ME
Discuss the Boy Named Sue Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In