“A Boy Named Sue” is a country song written by Shel Silverstein and recorded by the iconic American country singer Johnny Cash. The song was recorded during a live performance at San Quentin State Prison in 1969 and later released as a single.
The song is known for its humorous and storytelling nature. It tells the tale of a boy who is given the name “Sue” by his father before his father abandons the family. Throughout the song, Sue reflects on the challenges he’s faced due to his unusual name and expresses his anger at his father. The chorus includes the repeated line, “My name is Sue, how do you do? Now you’re gonna die!”
“A Boy Named Sue” became a commercial success and reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Country Male Vocal Performance.
The song is celebrated for its witty and narrative lyrics, as well as Johnny Cash’s engaging and charismatic performance. It remains one of Cash’s most memorable songs and is frequently included in retrospectives of his career and country music.
