A Boy Named Sue

Johnny Cash

About A Boy Named Sue

"A Boy Named Sue" is a song written by humorist and poet Shel Silverstein and made popular by Johnny Cash. Cash recorded the song live in concert on February 24, 1969 at California's San Quentin State Prison for his At San Quentin album. Cash also performed the song (with comical variations on the original performance) in December 1969 at Madison Square Garden. The live San Quentin version of the song became Cash's biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and his only top ten single there, spending three weeks at No. 2 in 1969, held out of the top spot by "Honky Tonk Women" by The Rolling Stones. The track also topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts that same year and was certified Gold on August 14, 1969, by the RIAA. Silverstein's own recording was released the same year as "Boy Named Sue", a single on the album Boy Named Sue (and His Other Country Songs), produced by Chet Atkins and Felton Jarvis. 


Year:
2013
3:46
116 
#2

Lyrics currently unavailable…


Johnny Cash

John R. "Johnny" Cash (February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003), was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Although he is primarily remembered as a country music icon, his songs and sound spanned many other genres including rockabilly and rock and roll—especially early in his career—as well as blues, folk, and gospel. This crossover appeal led to Cash being inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Gospel Music Hall of Fame. more »

19 fans


11 facts about this song

Creation and Inspiration
"A Boy Named Sue" was written by Shel Silverstein, an American author known for children's books, cartoons, songs, and plays. Despite his professional trajectory, he managed to write one of Johnny Cash's biggest hits.
Unlikely Collaboration
Shel Silverstein and Johnny Cash might seem like an unlikely collaboration. However, Silverstein had previously written songs for many artists including Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show. He was a regular at the Playboy mansion where he became friends with Johnny Cash.
Song Origins
The song is said to have been inspired by a friend of Silverstein named Jean Shepherd, who was often teased as a child because of his feminine-sounding name.
Unexpected Success
"A Boy Named Sue" shot to fame unexpectedly when Cash performed it at San Quentin State Prison in 1969. The live recording of this performance became Cash's biggest pop hit and one of his signature songs.
Chart Performance
The song was a significant crossover hit, peaking at No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in 1969, making it Cash's biggest hit aside from "Ring of Fire".
Grammy Award
Cash's live performance of "A Boy Named Sue" from the album "At San Quentin" garnered a Grammy award in 1970 in the category of Best Country Vocal Performance, Male.
Enigmatic Lyrics
The song has been noted for its humor, plot twist, and its unique depiction of masculinity and fatherhood.
Works Beyond Music
Not limited to the sphere of music, "A Boy Named Sue" was also turned into a book in 1970 by Silverstein.
Alternative Version
There is also another version of the song where Cash himself changes the words to include his interactions with Sue in the later years, and how Sue had made his peace with the name thanks to his father, further highlighting the enigmatic nature of the song.
An Example of Spoken Word Song
The lyric delivery in "A Boy Named Sue" is more spoken than sung, especially toward the end, making it an example of a spoken-word song.
Movie References
"A Boy Named Sue" has permeated pop culture and has been referenced in movies like "Get Him to the Greek" (2010) where Russell Brand's character performs a Rock version of the song.

Discuss the A Boy Named Sue Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "A Boy Named Sue Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/28767153/Johnny+Cash/A+Boy+Named+Sue>.

    Missing lyrics by Johnny Cash?

    Know any other songs by Johnny Cash? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    A Boy Named Sue

    10M
    64,697     2,930

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1969

    Billboard #2


    more tracks from the album

    Legends of Country

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    What was the most popular song of 1983?
    A Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
    B Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
    C Every Breath You Take by The Police
    D Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Johnny Cash tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!