“Boy Named Sue” – Johnny Cash

About the Song

Johnny Cash’s “Boy Named Sue” is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. Released in 1969, the song quickly became a chart-topping hit and a fan favorite. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its captivating narrative, Cash’s powerful vocals, and the song’s universal themes of redemption and resilience.
The song’s narrative is both humorous and poignant. It tells the story of a young boy named Sue, who is abandoned by his father, who gives him the name as a cruel joke. Sue grows up determined to prove his father wrong, and he eventually becomes a successful and respected man.

Cash’s vocal performance is nothing short of masterful. His deep, resonant voice perfectly captures the song’s underlying anger and determination. The way he delivers lines like “I’ve been fightin’ my whole life, just to be what I am” is both powerful and moving.
Musically, “Boy Named Sue” is a classic country song, featuring a simple yet effective arrangement. The acoustic guitar provides a warm and inviting backdrop, while the fiddle adds a touch of twang and nostalgia. The song’s tempo is moderate, allowing Cash’s vocals to take center stage.

“Boy Named Sue” is a timeless song that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its universal themes of redemption, resilience, and the power of the human spirit. Whether you’re a longtime fan of country music or simply appreciate a well-crafted song, “Boy Named Sue” is a must-listen.

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Lyrics: Boy Named Sue

My daddy left home when I was three
And he didn’t leave much to ma and me
Just 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 he ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me “Sue”.
Well, he must o’ thought that is quite a joke
And it got a lot of laughs from a’ lots of folk,
It 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 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 and my wits got keen,
I’d roam from town to town to hide my shame.
But I made me a vow to the moon and stars
That I’d search the honky-tonks and bars
And kill that man who gave me that awful name.
Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I 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, 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’d had,
And I 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’re 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,
He 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 wall and into the street
Kicking and a’ gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.
I 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,
He went for his gun and 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
And I knew I wouldn’t be there to help ya along.
So I give ya that name and I said goodbye
I knew you’d have to get tough or die
And it’s the name that helped to make you strong.”
He said, “Now you just fought one hell 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 ya ought to thank me, before I die,
For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye
Cause I’m the son of a bitch that named you ‘Sue’.”
Well, what could I do, what could I do?
I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
And I called him my pa, and he called me his son,
And I came 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 son, I think I’m gonna name him
Bill or George! Anything but Sue! I still hate that name!
 

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