“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
Imagine the audacity of naming your son Sue. That’s the premise of the unforgettable song “A Boy Named Sue,” performed by Johnny Cash. This song, with its compelling narrative and emotional undertones, captured the hearts of listeners worldwide from its very first live performance.
About The Composition
- Title: A Boy Named Sue
- Composer: Shel Silverstein
- Premiere Date: February 24, 1969
- Album/Opus/Collection: “At San Quentin”
- Genre: Country
Background
Written by the renowned Shel Silverstein, “A Boy Named Sue” explores themes of identity and resilience through its lyrics. The song was first performed by Johnny Cash in 1969 at San Quentin State Prison, a daring choice given its controversial lyrics. The performance was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, solidifying the song’s place in the annals of country music. Its narrative struck a chord with audiences, reflecting societal norms and personal struggles with identity.
Musical Style
Cash’s performance features a lively guitar strum and his iconic, deep vocal style, delivering the story with a blend of earnestness and humor. The arrangement is minimalistic, allowing the narrative and Cash’s expressive delivery to dominate the listening experience.
Lyrics/Libretto
The song’s lyrics are a journey through life’s trials and tribulations from the perspective of Sue, culminating in an unexpected meeting with his father. The clever rhymes and vivid storytelling highlight Silverstein’s lyrical prowess and Cash’s interpretative skills, making it a memorable piece.
Performance History
The song has seen countless renditions by Cash and other artists, each bringing a unique flavor to the original composition. Its debut at San Quentin remains a landmark performance, often cited in discussions of live musical recordings.
Cultural Impact
“A Boy Named Sue” has had a profound impact on not just country music but the broader cultural landscape. It challenged gender norms and expectations through its narrative, encouraging discussions on identity and resilience in face of adversity.
Legacy
The song’s enduring popularity underscores its significance in Johnny Cash’s career and its influence on storytelling in music. It remains a poignant example of how music can transcend entertainment to spark conversation and reflection.
Conclusion
To truly appreciate “A Boy Named Sue,” it is essential to explore its live versions and covers, each offering a different perspective on this classic. Its narrative depth and musical simplicity make it an essential listen for anyone interested in the power of storytelling through song.
Video
Lyrics
Thank you
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