"A Boy Named Sue" was written by Shel Silverstein, who wrote both the music and the lyrics. Silverstein first recorded it in 1968 and 1969 for his album "Boy Named Sue (And His Other Country Songs)", but the song became famous through Johnny Cash, whose live version was recorded at San Quentin State Prison on 24 February 1969 for the album "At San Quentin". Cash's recording reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969, where it stayed for three weeks, and it also topped the Hot Country Songs and Easy Listening charts. It was certified Gold in August 1969. At the 1970 Grammy Awards, Cash won Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, and Silverstein won Best Country Song. The song is a country number in talking blues style, with an AABCCB rhyme scheme and a spoken, narrative delivery. Silverstein returned to the character in 1978 with "The Father of a Boy Named Sue", which tells the story from the father's point of view.
