This song was written by Shel Silverstein the author of many children’s books such as The Giving Tree, Where the sidewalk Ends, Light in the Attic etc. such a contrast from this song to his children’s books.
A lot of performers would never consider setting foot in a prison, to have a show there. I mean, I get it. If you're in prison, the odds are you did something pretty bad to get in there. But I imagine Johnny Cash showing up to do a show was something every last person there was grateful for. Recognition that they're still human.
At the time he did that concert, there was very little entertainment in prisons. Newspapers, magazines, and books. No TV or movies, maybe a radio, but that depends on the local stations, with most prisons being far away from cities so the radio selection was slim. I am sure the officials made it clear to the inmates that the concert would be shut down at the slightest hint of bad behavior. From what I have heard, it went well.
To get a deeper feel of Johnny, you should check out the live version of "The Man in Black". It will really help you get an understanding of his stance on the world.
Johnny never actually went to prison. He may have spent a night or two in the drunk tank, but he never did any hard time. However, at one of his prison concerts, an aspiring singer song writer was in the "audience", and he was inspired to write a country classic. Merle Haggard penned the song "Mama Tried" and the rest is history.
Hmm, I heard him say that he spent a night in jail in Starksville, Mississippi for picking flowers. Its a story he tells on the Live at San Quinten album that he released from this concert. Folsom River Blues was also a great story teller song that he sang to these prisoners (telling stories that they could relate too), Folsom River Blues also became very popular for telling the tale of American Hobos traveling train by train across America. You should consider it for the cultural aspects alone. As for A Boy Named Sue. It was fairly new, but not a premier. He did premier 'San Quinten; He in San Quinten for the prisoners, He really tore into the uncaring prison system. The prisoners demanded that he play it again in the encore..
@@creinicke1000 I believe that he was caught with some non-prescribed depressants when coming back into America. Illegal drug trafficking is a serious federal crime. I believe he served a weekend or two of 'shock time' and had to promise to sober up and keep clean. Which was always a struggle and a personal demon of his. Johnny knew the power and effects of addiction, too well. That is why he would play and 'preach' to the prisoners, fallen, and forgotten members of society. He was redeemed.
His song "Man in black" shows a lot about his character. He shows his own thoughts about the world and human beings, no fictional story but rather a serious statement. I recommend the video "Johnny Cash - Man in Black (The Best Of The Johnny Cash TV Show)". It's the very first time he performed this song. He also explains why he wrote it.
Story telling songs: Harper Valley PTA (Jeannie C Riley) Ode To Billy Joe (Bobbie Gentry) One Tin Soldier (The Original Caste) Coat Of Many Colors (Dolly Parton) Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree (Tony Orlando & Dawn) Don't Take The Girl (Tim McGraw) Soooo many more!!
The lyrics between the two sets of asterisks were omitted from this version of Boy Named Sue because it was new to Cash and he didn't know the lyrics yet. He had them on a piece of paper in front of him but he just overlooked them when he performed this live. Pity because this is one of the best verses. Well, my daddy left home when I was three Didn't leave 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 he ever did Was before he left, he went and named me Sue ***Well, he must've thought that it was quite a joke And it got a lot of laughs from 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 keen Roamed 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 Bill or George, anything but Sue I still hate that name. Yes, Gatlinburg is a town in East Tennessee and is sort of the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains Park. It is almost solely a tourist town and when you go to Gatlinburg tourists is pretty much all you see. The town caters to tourists and all the shops are fast food and souvenirs. Johnny Cash spent a few nights in jail because he had serious drug problems off and on for years but he was never in prison because he never committed a felony. He loved performing at prisons and he recorded albums live at both San Quentin and Folsom prisons so a lot of people think he was an inmate. He never was.
This song was the first song I ever heard from Johnny Cash at age 7 (I'm 46 now) and I was hooked on Johnny Cash. My grandpa loved Johnny Cash and when we went camping, it was his and my job to get the campfire going for cooking and he put in a Johnny Cash cassette. ❤❤❤
"Some gal would giggle and I'd get red, some guy would laugh and I would bust his head" why was that line left out, this song was cut. not the full version
I've seen a few reactions and a few have that line, I think that it depends on what version it is that they are reacting to, if its the album version, or if it's, like this one, that's been remastered because the audio is pretty bad, but with the equipment at the time its understandable, but the reason the line could be missing is that it was just an early version of the song and when he went to record it for the album he added that line, Johnny would often do songs live and do rewrites before he put them on an album
@@dennytate26 The album 'Live from San Quinten' was recorded live from tis concert, This video is an edited version of the song. Maybe some things said in prison aren't meant for RUclips, or replay on your Network TV variety show?
So glad you enjoyed it! I always got a kick out of it. I'm traveling, in Colorado this week so you're on a walk with me in Colorado Springs. Have a great day.
#ABoyNamedSue #JohnnyCash #SaeedReacts 🤣🤣🤣...love this song... Johnny was a changed man after meeting his wife and became one of the best champion for the people during the rest of his life and a great follower of Christ... You mentioned you had reviewed his cover of Hurt..did you ever get a chance to listen to 💥...When The Man Comes Around 💥... God's Gonna Cut You Down After Johnny covered the 3 (includes Hurt) songs everyone agreed they now belong to Johnny... I'm glad you reviewed A Boy Named Sue.. it's a fun song... 🌿🌿🌿
Do you want to hear a good story from Johnny Cash, listen to coming Sunday morning coming down! Wow! Put your seatbelt on! Actually I think Kris Kristofferson wrote the lyrics but it’s a wild one for sure.
We used to listen to this album on road trips. Cassette tapes. We had 3 that we all could agree on. This, Abbott and Costello, and the Oak Ridge Boys. If you haven't heard "who's on first?" You haven't truly laughed.
Gotta check out Johnny Cash cover of "Hurt." Nine Inch Nails did the original song. Last song Johnny ever recorded a few months before his wife passed away and his passing a couple months after his wife.
He also has a song called Folsom Prison. Roy Clark covered it in a very funny way. This would give you a very different side of Roy from the previous reaction you did.
There are actually a couple more verses, but they were edited out of the performance, either for time or because they were considered inappropriate for an audience of "hardened felons."
I haven't thought of this song in a long time. Thanks! If you like songs that tell a story, check out The Road Goes On Forever And The Party Never Ends by Robert Earl Keen. It's a whole movie packed into a four minute song lol
I've commented on this before, but if you like country music, and you love storytelling and comedy, then you really need to check out The Ballad of the blue cyclone part 1 and part 2 by Ray Stevens
Thanks for the recommendation! This one is on my list. I really enjoyed all the Ray Stevens songs i heard so far. And recorded another reaction to his music, but its not uploaded yet.
I've just seen your reaction to Johnny Cashes Boy named Sue as story songs you like to hear, can I suggest a song for you to take a listen to it's called Coward of the county sung by Kenny Rodgers brilliant story to follow in the song
Too bad JR forgot an entire verse in this performance. “Some gal would giggle and I’d turn red, some guy’d laugh and I’d bust his head. I tell you life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue”. Nonetheless the audience loved it.
This song was written by Shel Silverstein the author of many children’s books such as The Giving Tree, Where the sidewalk Ends, Light in the Attic etc. such a contrast from this song to his children’s books.
Thanks for telling me about that. Didnt know this author. Will look him up.
@@SaeedReacts. look for The Perfect High.
Silverstein also wrote a lot of articles for Playboy.
This was my father's favourite song. He always got a laugh out of it. Nice one Saeed 👍🏻👍🏻
Great story and to perform it at San Quentin is epic :)
" One Piece at a Time" ...a great story about a man and his car...lol❤
Thanks so much for watching and the recommendation!
My favorite Johnny Cash song
A lot of performers would never consider setting foot in a prison, to have a show there. I mean, I get it. If you're in prison, the odds are you did something pretty bad to get in there. But I imagine Johnny Cash showing up to do a show was something every last person there was grateful for. Recognition that they're still human.
At the time he did that concert, there was very little entertainment in prisons. Newspapers, magazines, and books. No TV or movies, maybe a radio, but that depends on the local stations, with most prisons being far away from cities so the radio selection was slim. I am sure the officials made it clear to the inmates that the concert would be shut down at the slightest hint of bad behavior. From what I have heard, it went well.
To get a deeper feel of Johnny, you should check out the live version of "The Man in Black". It will really help you get an understanding of his stance on the world.
Thanks for that recommendation. Definitely want to check out more of his music.
Johnny never actually went to prison. He may have spent a night or two in the drunk tank, but he never did any hard time. However, at one of his prison concerts, an aspiring singer song writer was in the "audience", and he was inspired to write a country classic. Merle Haggard penned the song "Mama Tried" and the rest is history.
Very true.. But I do think Cash had close calls and understood that it's a slippery slope and folks in prison are still people.
Correct just a few nights in jail .. it made him think twice !!!
Merle was at the San Quentin show. So glad he changed his ways !! ❤️
Hmm, I heard him say that he spent a night in jail in Starksville, Mississippi for picking flowers. Its a story he tells on the Live at San Quinten album that he released from this concert. Folsom River Blues was also a great story teller song that he sang to these prisoners (telling stories that they could relate too), Folsom River Blues also became very popular for telling the tale of American Hobos traveling train by train across America. You should consider it for the cultural aspects alone. As for A Boy Named Sue. It was fairly new, but not a premier. He did premier 'San Quinten; He in San Quinten for the prisoners, He really tore into the uncaring prison system. The prisoners demanded that he play it again in the encore..
@@creinicke1000 I believe that he was caught with some non-prescribed depressants when coming back into America. Illegal drug trafficking is a serious federal crime. I believe he served a weekend or two of 'shock time' and had to promise to sober up and keep clean. Which was always a struggle and a personal demon of his. Johnny knew the power and effects of addiction, too well. That is why he would play and 'preach' to the prisoners, fallen, and forgotten members of society. He was redeemed.
His song "Man in black" shows a lot about his character. He shows his own thoughts about the world and human beings, no fictional story but rather a serious statement.
I recommend the video "Johnny Cash - Man in Black (The Best Of The Johnny Cash TV Show)". It's the very first time he performed this song. He also explains why he wrote it.
Thanks for the recommendation!
i haven't heard this in years, so glad you played it. i hope they still let folks go sing to the folks in prison
Great reaction!
Thank you!
Filmed live in San Quentin Prison. Johnny also performed at Folsom Prison (it was not filmed).
🎼💎💎💎 ... I have been listening to this song since I was a tiny boy. My parents were very fond of Johnny Cash. TY 💎💎🎼
Story telling songs:
Harper Valley PTA
(Jeannie C Riley)
Ode To Billy Joe
(Bobbie Gentry)
One Tin Soldier
(The Original Caste)
Coat Of Many Colors
(Dolly Parton)
Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree
(Tony Orlando & Dawn)
Don't Take The Girl
(Tim McGraw)
Soooo many more!!
I reacted to Ode to Billy Joe and Coat of Many Colors, but not the others. Will add them to my list. Thanks.
@@SaeedReacts.
I'm new to your channel. Went down your videos to see what you've reacted to. Guess I missed them. But I'll find them!
Great song! Thanks Saeed.
Such a good song. Thanks for watching!
The lyrics between the two sets of asterisks were omitted from this version of Boy Named Sue because it was new to Cash and he didn't know the lyrics yet. He had them on a piece of paper in front of him but he just overlooked them when he performed this live. Pity because this is one of the best verses.
Well, my daddy left home when I was three
Didn't leave 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 he ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me Sue
***Well, he must've thought that it was quite a joke
And it got a lot of laughs from 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 keen
Roamed 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
Bill or George, anything but Sue
I still hate that name.
Yes, Gatlinburg is a town in East Tennessee and is sort of the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains Park. It is almost solely a tourist town and when you go to Gatlinburg tourists is pretty much all you see. The town caters to tourists and all the shops are fast food and souvenirs. Johnny Cash spent a few nights in jail because he had serious drug problems off and on for years but he was never in prison because he never committed a felony. He loved performing at prisons and he recorded albums live at both San Quentin and Folsom prisons so a lot of people think he was an inmate. He never was.
Thanks for sharing the complete lyrics and also the reason why it was left out of this one.
Ira Hayes is a great story song by Johnny.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Great song and story too...
Thank you for this one!
Love it! Thanks for watching!
Shel Silverstein wrote this song in John’s living room on a napkin.
This song was the first song I ever heard from Johnny Cash at age 7 (I'm 46 now) and I was hooked on Johnny Cash. My grandpa loved Johnny Cash and when we went camping, it was his and my job to get the campfire going for cooking and he put in a Johnny Cash cassette. ❤❤❤
These prisoners could relate to Johnny Cash and the song. These are some hard men and they can relate to the song....even if they're not named Sue😂🙃
😃😃😃
"Some gal would giggle and I'd get red, some guy would laugh and I would bust his head" why was that line left out, this song was cut. not the full version
No idea why it was cut, its from his official channel.
@@SaeedReacts.I've seen many reactions to this song, and for some reason, almost all of them are missing that line. It's nothing you did.
Weird that this version is cut. It kinda reduces the impact of the story by shortening the exposition. Bizarre.
I've seen a few reactions and a few have that line, I think that it depends on what version it is that they are reacting to, if its the album version, or if it's, like this one, that's been remastered because the audio is pretty bad, but with the equipment at the time its understandable, but the reason the line could be missing is that it was just an early version of the song and when he went to record it for the album he added that line, Johnny would often do songs live and do rewrites before he put them on an album
@@dennytate26 The album 'Live from San Quinten' was recorded live from tis concert, This video is an edited version of the song. Maybe some things said in prison aren't meant for RUclips, or replay on your Network TV variety show?
It is so funny 😂
So glad you enjoyed it! I always got a kick out of it.
I'm traveling, in Colorado this week so you're on a walk with me in Colorado Springs. Have a great day.
Great song!
That is amazing! I just googled a few pictures. Looks beautiful!
I love The Garden of The Gods park.
My daughter's name is Lola. We always sang "Copacabana". I like the video with clips from old black and white movies.
I think you'd like the story.
Cocaine Blues was another great one performed at San Quentin.
Johnny Cash had a tv variety show.
#ABoyNamedSue
#JohnnyCash
#SaeedReacts
🤣🤣🤣...love this song... Johnny was a changed man after meeting his wife and became one of the best champion for the people during the rest of his life and a great follower of Christ...
You mentioned you had reviewed his cover of Hurt..did you ever get a chance to listen to
💥...When The Man Comes Around
💥... God's Gonna Cut You Down
After Johnny covered the 3 (includes Hurt) songs everyone agreed they now belong to Johnny...
I'm glad you reviewed A Boy Named Sue.. it's a fun song...
🌿🌿🌿
Wait till you hear Johnny Cash’s song one piece at a time, it will be one of your new favorites
Thanks for the recommendation.
Do you want to hear a good story from Johnny Cash, listen to coming Sunday morning coming down! Wow! Put your seatbelt on! Actually I think Kris Kristofferson wrote the lyrics but it’s a wild one for sure.
Thanks for the recommendation!
A good one here love it love you
Great song ! Much love!
We used to listen to this album on road trips. Cassette tapes. We had 3 that we all could agree on. This, Abbott and Costello, and the Oak Ridge Boys.
If you haven't heard "who's on first?" You haven't truly laughed.
Gatlinburg is actually a tourist town in the foothills of the smoky mountains here in Tennessee
Thanks for letting me know about that!
Gotta check out Johnny Cash cover of "Hurt." Nine Inch Nails did the original song. Last song Johnny ever recorded a few months before his wife passed away and his passing a couple months after his wife.
I know that song and his version really well, so it wouldnt be the first time i heard it. Did he ever do it live?
Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Dolly Parton country.
He also has a song called Folsom Prison. Roy Clark covered it in a very funny way. This would give you a very different side of Roy from the previous reaction you did.
Thanks for the recommendation!
The difference between songs back then and songs today is back then the focus was on reconciliation, today the focus would be on revenge.
the wreck of Old 97 is a gem! or Kawliga
Thanks for the recommendation!
as many probably suggested, Man in Black and Johnny's cover of the Nine Inch Nails song Hurt, and One Piece at a Time, all great
Thanks for the recommendation!
My good friend is a guard at San Quentin
was hoping youd find this one...one of my favorites
Great song!
Next song by Johnny Cash you should check out is Man In Black. He wrote it himself and it really gives you insight into what he was all about.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Next to the song one piece at a time, which you got to do next this may be Johnny's best story song! Great reactions always man!
Thanks so much for watching and the recommendation!
great reaction, you must listen to his cover of "HURT"......really deep & hits everytime (it's one for humanity) 🙏
That is a song i do know and am familiar with his version. Maybe i should revisit it at some point. Thanks for watching!
@@SaeedReacts. also John Anderson: ruclips.net/video/_FARZGM8Wk0/видео.html
HAHaHa ... Classic Cash Awesome ! song
This is great storytelling. Tx Saeed. I see a western playing off before me. Typed this just before you said Western😂 Greetings from South Africa
The storytelling is so good! We all see it play out 😃. Thanks for watching
Greetings from Belgium.
There are actually a couple more verses, but they were edited out of the performance, either for time or because they were considered inappropriate for an audience of "hardened felons."
I haven't thought of this song in a long time. Thanks! If you like songs that tell a story, check out The Road Goes On Forever And The Party Never Ends by Robert Earl Keen. It's a whole movie packed into a four minute song lol
Great song. Thanks for watching and the recommendations.
You need to check out Johnny Cash's song Chattanooga city limit sign. If you like a great story in love to laugh.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Another good story telling song would be Neil Young Powderfinger. You can picture the whole song !!
Thanks for the recommendation!
Yes Johnny Cash did go to prison in his younger years but I don’t remember why.
Johnny was never in prison. He did spend a night or two in jail for misdemeanors
@@shortstuff7959 Thanks. I was mistaken.
If you like story songs, check out THE WINNER by Bobby Bare!
Johnny Cash is one of the greatest story tellers ever. Check out "One Piece at a Time" for another classic.
Will add that one to my list. Thanks!
❤
❤️
you shoud try San Quentin at San Quentin.....
If you like story telling songs check out Marty Robbins Big Iron.
I've commented on this before, but if you like country music, and you love storytelling and comedy, then you really need to check out The Ballad of the blue cyclone part 1 and part 2 by Ray Stevens
Thanks for the recommendation! This one is on my list. I really enjoyed all the Ray Stevens songs i heard so far. And recorded another reaction to his music, but its not uploaded yet.
Watch the live version of man in black please! You’ll understand why he’s the man in black and his true character
Thanks for the recommendation!
You are like a mind reader.
Don't tell my wife
hope you do Ray steven ballad of the blue cyclone part 1 and part 2 you will enjoy both part great story songs
Thanks for the recommendation!
@@SaeedReacts. i got a few more great story song i think you will enjoy Jamey Johnson in Color with video also High coast of living
I've just seen your reaction to Johnny Cashes Boy named Sue
as story songs you like to hear, can I suggest a song for you to take a listen to it's called Coward of the county sung by Kenny Rodgers
brilliant story to follow in the song
I reacted to that song and a few others by Kenny Rogers. Amazing! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
It's not Sue anymore. Now its Lola.
Lola Bunny?
you should check out ( A Girl Named Johny Cash ) by Jane Morgan
Thanks for the recommendation!
Too bad JR forgot an entire verse in this performance. “Some gal would giggle and I’d turn red, some guy’d laugh and I’d bust his head. I tell you life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue”. Nonetheless the audience loved it.
Check out his version of Sunday Morning Coming Down, written by Kris Kristofferson.
It's better than the original.
Thanks for the recommendation!
A fun song, but the full version is better. This is shortened.
So Does This Mean You're Going Down The Johnny Rabbit Hole??? 🙂
Definitely will explore more!
Just change your name, man.
Good point 😃
since you love storytelling songs, I don’t think you’ve reacted to Taylor Swift’s nobody No Body No Crime. that’s a great one!
I just recorded it, and also a reaction to the Manuscript, so these should be uploaded sometime this week :)
@@SaeedReacts.awesome! I can’t wait!