Who wrote "A Boy Named Sue", the song made popular by Johnny Cash?

This was written by the multitalented Shel Silverstein, who later wrote several hits for Dr. Hook, including "Sylvia's Mother" and "Cover Of The Rolling Stone." Silverstein also wrote several popular children's books including "The Giving Tree"and "Where the Sidewalk Ends".

He got the idea for the song from his friend Jean Shepherd. Jean was a guy who had to deal with what was considered "a girly name". Shepherd was a writer/humorist like Silverstein. He narrated the 1983 movie "A Christmas Story", which is based on his writings.

The song is about a boy who grows up angry at his father not only for leaving his family, but for naming him Sue. When the boy grows up, he sees his father in a bar and gets in a fight with him. After his father explains that he named him Sue to make sure he was tough, the son understands.

Cash recorded the song live at San Quentin Prison in February 1969.

Shel Silverstein went on to write another song titled "The Father of the Boy Named Sue." It's the same story, but from the father's point of view.