Shel Silverstein wrote “A Boy Named Sue.”

Quick Scoop: Who Wrote “A Boy Named Sue”?

  • “A Boy Named Sue” was written by Shel Silverstein, the famous poet, cartoonist, and children’s author behind “The Giving Tree” and “Where the Sidewalk Ends.”
  • The song became widely known through Johnny Cash’s live recording at San Quentin State Prison in 1969, which turned it into a massive hit.
  • Silverstein originally wrote it as a humorous, story-style poem; Cash’s performance kept that talk-singing, narrative feel.

A Bit More Background

  • Silverstein was not just a kids’ writer; he also wrote many songs for country and rock artists, including Dr. Hook and Loretta Lynn.
  • “A Boy Named Sue” even earned him a Grammy for Best Country Song, and he later wrote a sequel from the father’s point of view called “The Father of a Boy Named Sue.”

TL;DR: If you’re searching “silverstein who wrote a boy named sue” or looking for the latest forum-style trivia on this trending topic: the writer is Shel Silverstein, and Johnny Cash is the singer who made it legendary.

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