FIRST TIME Hearing Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue (Live at San Quentin, 1969) || Another Plot Twist!!

[@setonhillstudios]

*You can support the channel with KZbin Channel Memberships or through Buy Me a Coffee. Never expected, but always appreciated.❤Links in Description!* Johnny Cash is UNREAL!! This is such a great song with some genius writing! What's next?!

[@Logistical_Nightmare]

Yes, Shel Silverstein was a phenomenal story teller in songs and books

[@dellis47]

Shel Silverstein wrote tis song. He was a writer, illustrator, actor who wrote a lot of songs that other artists sang. He was a genius

[@yllepluff]

He never made much money from his music, unfortunately. Most of his income was from writing articles for Playboy magazine. Apart from being a beloved author of children's books, he also wrote most of the songs performed by Dr Hook & The Medicine Show.

[@bonnievonbraun6276]

Have to call out a couple of Shel's great children's books: "The Giving Tree", "Where The Sidewalk Ends", and "Light In the Attic".

[@mybrainhurts1856]

Shel is crazy great! Lol

[@johnnlori]

Shel also wrote the entire " cover of the rolling stone" album of Dr.Hook and the medicine show it's a hilarious music

[@mybrainhurts1856]

@@johnnlori have you ever heard the entire album Freakin' at the Freakers Ball? Not exactly the children's books that are more recent! LOL 🤣🤣🤣

[@toodlescae]

His concert at San Quentin spawned the career of another country legend, Merle Haggard, who was in the audience at one if those concerts as a prisoner.

[@everettputerbaugh3996]

Of all the country stars that played the "bad boy card", Merle was the only one that that actually did time.

[@starfire6122]

You r reactions have a way of making me happy..thank you✌️💞

[@setonhillstudios]

That means so much! Thank you! ❤️

[@1aleckman1]

Lol! Johnny played at San Quentin more than once and I believe Folsom Prison. The prisoners loved him. He was down to earth like Dolly and Loretta! Have a great day!

[@SassyIndian]

My grandparents and I would go camping just about every weekend when I was growing up. It was my grandpa and my job to get the fire going for cooking. When I was about 7 years old, my grandpa put on a Johnny Cash cassette and this was the first song I ever heard from Johnny Cash and I was hooked ever since. I'm 46 years old now and still a fan.

[@setonhillstudios]

Love hearing those memories! I’ve always knew of Johnny Cash but just now really getting into his stuff thanks to this channel! Such an incredible artist with so many bangers! 🔥

[@mrcurtis73]

You should check out “one piece at a time.” That’s another one that’s on the sillier/funnier side of Johnny Cash but it’s a pretty cool one.

[@GeezerNerdRox]

Or the “Chicken in Black”…..🔥🎶🔥😆

[@michaelmaldonado5648]

I agree a great song

[@williamjones6031]

My dad was old school country, and he would drive me to school. This song would come on sometimes and he would look at me and aren't you glad your name is Bill?

[@setonhillstudios]

Haha 🤣 Fair point from your dad!

[@halidenenberg1449]

If you like country and humor, check out Ray Stevens, Jim Stafford, and Jerry Reed

[@RegenaCox-yy1rl]

Did you know that Merle Haggard was in prison in San Quinton on the audience when Johnny Cash sang there. When he saw Johnny play & song he thought to himself that that was what he wanted to do when he got out. He was pardoned and got out of prison and became a really famous country singer. One of his big hits was Momma Tried, it explained a lot about his life.

[@gk5891]

Was that in '58? Ive read he wasn't allowed to attend in '59 due to his restrictions (He officially escaped incarceration 6 times, but supposedly including attempts he was caught 17 times).

[@stevenangle8407]

I was going to post a comment about Merle Haggard being a prisoner in the audience, and that Johnny Cash had a big influence on him. But, I saw your comment.

[@Colton-q7p]

Listen to San Quentin. Johnny wrote it in the perspective of the prisoner. Mind blowing how he was allowed out of that concert by the warden after singing that song. There’s a live video from the same show.

[@CardiacCat]

"One peice at a time" is another good one.

[@kimking6036]

If you want to know more about Johnny Cash just watch live The Man In Black. He wrote it. He really was The man in black. In the audience was a man named Merle Haggard. Watching Johnny preform changed his life. He also be came a country legend. Singing Mama Tried

[@Prone2Thrill]

The man in black is such a legend. R.I.P. Johnny! He also had dyslexia

[@mikeadair3341]

I not only love how the prisoners are having a good time, but Johnny seems to be enjoying it as well.

[@RockinMamaT]

Let's Gooooo! This is one of my favorite reactions. Johnny Cash the man in Black. Great reaction and Peace out ✌️ ☮️ 🙏

[@jessicaleblanc-nh1yl]

I, agree~Man in Black is must listen. Thank you for suggesting that one. =)

[@setonhillstudios]

This was absolutely unreal!! Thanks for the recommendation! Definitely going to have to look into that one! 🔥

[@karenstacymayne4156]

You should listen to the whole San Quentin album. He sings the song and it called San Quentin. He sang it twice because the crowd loved it so much. Later he says, if any of the guards are still speaking to me, could I have a glass of water?

[@setonhillstudios]

That’s so amazing!! 🤩

[@fredjones7675]

a Shel Silverstein song (you really need to review his catalogue) ..... he also wrote children's books ..... and a 'don't miss' is "The Perfect High"

[@JimTweed]

Shel Silverstein, who wrote A Boy Named Sue, also wrote some of the early Dr Hook hits.

[@maryannanderson2213]

This was the first time Cash performed this song and he didn't know the words and he had a cheat sheet on the floor in front of him but he missed a verse and I think it's one of the best. Here are the lyrics he omitted on this version: ...Was before he left, he went and named me Sue. (This is the verse he left out.) Well, he must've thought that it was quite a joke And it got a lot of laughs from a 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... When they released this on record, the record had that verse in it. BTW, in his heyday, out of every five records that were sold in the US, one of them was a Johnny Cash record. He richly deserves his title of LEGEND.

[@barbarastrayhorn4667]

Yeah. My favorite verse too

[@gavinholt5428]

My parents had the album and play it even up to these days. Everytime they play this clip and that verse is missing I just cry out No!!

[@arnoldcox9128]

Country music and storytelling ❤

[@Jude_196]

You should check out his cover of NIN HURT....the contrast between the two versions: UNBELIEVABLE!!!

[@sourisvoleur4854]

His song "The Man in Black" tells about his dedication to the underdogs of life, including prisoners. For another fun song you might check out "One Piece at a Time".

[@ejtappan1802]

This is the sillier side of Johnny Cash, but I love that he sang it in front of the prisoners. I always felt like they would really get both the humor and the heart of this piece, maybe more than the average person. And I think my favorite line of any song ever is "kickin' and a-gougin' in the mud and the blood and the beer" ... fantastic word play and image-building.

[@gk5891]

Playing "Cocaine Blues" in front of the prisoners was definitely bad ass.

[@justwondering5651]

Keep in mind that Johnny didn't write this. Its author is Shel Silverstein, who wrote such books as Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Giving Tree.

[@tonybaker55]

I remember hearing this on the radio and thought it was hilarious.

[@setonhillstudios]

So good!!! 🤣

[@rosstipps6781]

Let's not forget that one of the founding fathers of Rockabilly, Carl Perkins (he wrote and performed Blue Suede Shoes, before Elvis) is playing guitar in Johnny's band. You should check our some Carl Perkins early Sun Records hits !

[@mikerichardson8983]

I can still remember growing up and listening to this on a vinyl 45. Still one of my favorites. It was such a different time.

[@guyray1504]

When i was 16 i got my mom and dad to drive about 70 miles to see him in Montgomery, Al. Wher he was singing was about a few blocks from the Ala. State Prison. He had about 100 or so of them setting behind him while he preformed. At one point he had them set the prisoners up with some popcorn and cokes. Boy did they enjoy the show.

[@llschnitz]

Shel Silverstein also wrote childrens books like “Where the Sidewalk Ends”.

[@NativeTexan-fm5dy]

Love your reaction. Another fun one from Johnny is "One Piece at a Time"

[@taniaPBear]

Thank you so much, I really needed that laugh today also. Johnny Cash didn't smile as much as other performers, so when he did, you knew it was the real deal, so I've always found it really heart warming when he did. Loved this. ✌❤

[@Shazzadut1]

Johnny Cash tells this story and you can actually picture what’s happening in your mind. He literally makes the song come alive.

[@79tazman]

He made a album in San Quentin and did a Album in Folsom Prison too

[@danielschartzer1396]

🔥 🖤THE MAN IN BLACK🖤 🔥 🖤MR.JOHNNY CASH🖤 , he was one of the first true outlaws of country , His catalog is very big , cuz it go back to the early SUN RECORD recording days you know early ELVIS PRESLEY was part of that too , and he had a bunch of huge hits like💥 "I WALK THE LINE" 💥, "💥FOLSOM PRISON BLUES💥". "💥 RING OF FIRE "💥what was a few of the popular hits you might have heard of , etc etc, and then the last song he ever did before he passed R.I.P.🌹 JOHNNY🌹 was a COVER song by NINE INCH NAILS called " HURT " , if you hadn't reacted to it's worth reacting to forsure , and you mentioned his masterful storytelling songwriting abilities it's off the chain good and you're exactly right , that's why I say you need to react to this song next it's a song he wrote about him himself , see they call🖤 JOHNNY CASH🖤 the🖤 MAN IN BLACK 🖤for a reason , and he wrote a masterful song about why he's is the 🖤 MAN IN BLACK🖤 I can't say it enough it needs to be the next JOHNNY CASH song you react to, And there's a live performance that he did on his own show and it's called THE BEST OF THE JOHNNY CASH TV SHOW " 🖤MAN IN BLACK 🖤" and then there's this other song that you needs to be reacting to next after that one and it's called "ONE PIECE AT A TIME" it's an absolute hilarious masterpiece end song OFFICIAL VIDEO you'll love it guaranteed but anyway Awesome reaction 💪🏽 👏🏽 👍🏻 Keep up the good work 💯🎯🇺🇸🫡

[@Jude_196]

OH - I CAN'T WAIT to WATCH THIS ONE!! :) ENJOY, STEVEN!!! :) HUGS!

[@IFRfun]

Great reaction to a great piece of writing. An all-time fav of mine by Johnny Cash is "Man in Black". It's iconic.

[@setonhillstudios]

Hey Milton!! Good to hear from you! 😀

[@robertmeyerowitz6865]

The song was written by Shel Silverstein, an author and song writer.

[@rickward460]

Nicely played Brother 👍 "One piece at a time" next please 🙏 Spread the love 🐶😎🇺🇸

[@richdiddens4059]

Or another prison song, Cocaine Blues.

[@jenniferbabros1985]

Johnny is one of a kind🎉

[@russellkaplan1818]

The album "Live at Folsom Prison" is a true classic

[@mikemiller3069]

You will like Johny's cover of Kris Kristoferson's song,, "Sunday Morning Comin' Down".

[@GrandmasGotGraceLW]

YES! 😀

[@RonnyWestberry]

merle haggart was in prison and saw johnny . merle decided he wanted to be a singer songwriter. merle later got out and become a legend

[@setonhillstudios]

That’s wild! I never knew that! So cool!

[@karaokekraziness3891]

This has always been one of my favorite Johnny Cash songs! He was an American icon who even hard rockers respected. He performed at a couple of prisons. He also performed at Folsom Prison. This song was written by Sheldon "Shel" Silverstein, a great humorous songwriter.

[@debjorgo]

Shel is best known as a writer of children's books. Well, that and this song and a few others.

[@karaokekraziness3891]

@@debjorgo If I'm not mistaken, I think he wrote other songs for Johnny Cash.

[@debjorgo]

@@karaokekraziness3891 I know he wrote the Cover of the Rolling Stone for Dr Hook.

[@karaokekraziness3891]

@debjorgo Apparently, he wrote a lot of country songs for people like Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings, and Jerry Lee Lewis. According to American Songwriter, he wrote hundreds of songs.

[@debjorgo]

@@karaokekraziness3891 Hmm. Maybe he's best known for that then. It just surprised me years ago people saying they knew his books and didn't realize he was a songwriter. Looking at his wiki now, it lists him as an author, poet, cartoonist, songwriter and playwright. The order could just be a timeline.

[@scottjw0219]

Johnny Cash At San Quentin was my first album. I was 5 years old in 1969 and I loved this song from hearing it on AM radio. I begged my mom to buy it for me. I'm not sure if it's more that I was cool kid for loving Johnny Cash at 5 years old or my mom was more crazy for buying it for me. Either way, this song is still special to me. Great to see your reaction.

[@garymccandless465]

Man in Black is good and on comedy side of that Chicken in Black

[@emerald1805]

You will find, the further you go back in most music, but especially Country, they they have a very dry, sense of humor in their songs, which uses wordplay and absurdity. If you want to hear a great example of very old Country humour, check out the song “Preacher & the Bear”, as done by Jerry Reed in the 70s. It’s a much older song and goes back to the early 1900s. Phil Harris’ Big Band version from the 1930s is great too.

[@kierstenridgway4634]

Merle Haggard was there. As a guest of the state. You know. And said he was inspired. The rest, as they say, is history. Btw, San Quentin is near where i live. My dad lived on the grounds as his dad was a guard. ❤️✌️

[@rickfarrar1948]

He also gave a concert at Folsom Prison.

[@Leah-cn5cu]

Yes he is really there, watch the movie about him Walk The Line

[@michaelmaldonado5648]

I was exposed to Johnny Cash as a young child. My father was a fan and it grew on me very quickly. Cash, Marty Robbins, Roy Clark, and many others. Cash was an entertainer for the people.

[@setonhillstudios]

Such an authentic artist!! This song threw me for a loop but I loved it! He has so much swagger!! Have a great one! 😄

[@1lthrnk]

I had a few coach that served I WW2, Korea, and Vietnam he was old school hard, his name was Faye o’Dell he had the respect of Div 1 football players and high school as a national leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes

[@michaelfarmer9472]

JOHNNY WAS SPECIFICALLY TOLD HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO PERFORM FOLSOM PRISON BLUES AT SAN QUINTON...HE DID IT ANYWAY.

[@setonhillstudios]

Let’s gooooo!

[@avidrdr5640]

If you want another genius, story telling singer/songwriter, imo no one can top Guy Clark. "She Ain't Going Nowhere", "Desperados Waiting For a Train", " Texas 1947", and so many more, his way with lyrics was phenomenal.

[@lathedauphinot6820]

Yep. I got to meet Guy Clark once in Ft. Worth after a gig. He looked me right in the eye, listened, asked questions, then thanked me. I got to meet a Texas legend who exceeded expectations.

[@757optim]

Johnny performed at San Quentin. He was never "in prison". Just a few brushes with jail.

[@carolmoilanen4530]

They did not want him doing this but he won

[@setonhillstudios]

Let’s goooo! 🔥

[@MommaBird52]

My cousin's son would sing this entire song when he was 2!

[@setonhillstudios]

What?! That’s so cool!! ❤️

[@sherryramirez6329]

I have loved this song for decades lol

[@setonhillstudios]

Such a great tune!! It definitely threw me for a loop!! 😁

[@MotoNomad350]

Check out Man in Black, Cocaine Blues, and Folsom Prison Blues for starters. The man released 97 albums, his catalog is deep and diverse.

[@setonhillstudios]

Appreciate it!! Definitely can’t wait to hear more! 🔥

[@llschnitz]

In the Seventies and Eighties, Johnny would appear on stage at the Billy Graham Crusades and perform a gospel song or two.

[@setonhillstudios]

Oh cool! Love that! ❤️

[@jayharvey7043]

Playing in prisons wasn't uncommon back then, B.B. King has a live album from Cook County Jail.

[@Ozarkprepper643]

Johnny's 19 59 appearance at San Quentin prison inspired Merle Haggard who was in the audience to get into country music. 🚜🤠🐂

[@setonhillstudios]

Someone else was saying that!! Super cool!!!

[@Shazjgus]

If you want to go in a completely different direction with Johnny Cash, check out "Daddy Sang Bass" (Spiritual). June Carter Cash sings one line and the Statler Brothers (Great harmonies) back him up. "We Got Paid by Cash" is a thank you song to Johnny Cash by the Statler Brothers. Johnny gave the "boys" their first real start. If you watch interviews with them, the love and respect is undeniable and it went both ways. Also, his performance at San Quentin inspired Merle Haggard, who was in the audience, to pursue music after he was released.

[@pcl8993]

One Piece at a time. It’s a “classic”!

[@copperhopperwarren4788]

👍😏😂😂

[@lorriwood8545]

Yes he is in San Quentin, and if you love this song, you should listen too One Piece at a Time. It's hilarious! ✌️✌️ & ❤❤

[@katieroets]

This was one of my recommendations. I knew you'd love it! I hope you're having a great week. :)

[@setonhillstudios]

Having a good one! Hope you are too! 😄

[@janetpope1455]

If you react to this one, you've gotta do "Cocaine Blues" from his '68 Folsom Prison concert.

[@tempusfugit7662]

Check out his live performance of “Man in Black” - genius, and great message.

[@setonhillstudios]

Just released it today on the channel! So good!! 😁

[@dblev2019]

The difference between songs back then and songs today is, back then the focus of the song was reconciliation, today the focus would be on revenge.

[@dianedarby442]

One of my favorite writers - Shel Silverstein wrote this - genius! Johnny was once in prison, so knew how it felt and it was very important to him to perform inside for the prisoners.

[@leannmiller7153]

@dianedarby442 Johnny was never in prison. He did spend a few nights in jail.

[@dianedarby442]

@@leannmiller7153 my mistake - you got the point, though, yes?

[@leannmiller7153]

@@dianedarby442 Huge difference between Johnny doing hard prison time, and a few nights in county jail. Just giving Seton Hill clarification on your comment, which adds a false narrative to Johnny’s life.

[@dianedarby442]

False narrative, huh? a little over the top, but thank you for setting everyone straight! lol

[@leannmiller7153]

@@dianedarby442 😎

[@brentoliver8814]

He left out a very important lyric to that song. It said “some gal would giggle and I would get red and some guy would laugh and I would bust his head.”

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

3 for 3 on the bangers today, brother!!

[@setonhillstudios]

They all blew me away!!!

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Great one here love you

[@kengunter6903]

Great job my man!!!!

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks so much! Appreciate you hanging out! 😄

[@rodneyaccount6293]

Bobby Bear. The winner is another great fight song.

[@jeremyfagner6808]

They say Johnny Cash would get the inmates so worked up that all he would have had to say is go and they would have started a riot. He would get them just to that point and then sing one or two slower songs to calm them back down. He would also make fun of the guards just to get a laugh out of the inmates.

[@setonhillstudios]

Love that!! 🤣😂

[@kevinsharpjr]

Check out Johnny Cash song The Cocaine Blues, which i think it was also done live at the same prison.

[@warrengee-f9l]

Ya gotta listen to "The Man in Black"

[@setonhillstudios]

Definitely on the list! 😁

[@jamesdamiano8894]

If you like songs on the funny side then definitely check out Uneasy Rider by Charlie Daniels and My Girl Bill by Jim Stafford.

[@leannmiller7153]

Another story song of Johnny’s is Cocaine Blues, which he sang live at Folsom Prison. The prisoners loved it, not sure about the Wardon🫣

[@stephanie.r382]

You must definitely check out One Piece At A Time, its hilarious!

[@jeffreyflint6286]

The man period! This just floored me way back then and still does. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤. The reason I wear black constantly. I ain't goth. Johnny Cash is the reason!👍👍

[@Bluewizard7131]

Check out One Piece at a Time by Johnny.

[@45twice]

👍

[@guyhenderson405]

Johnny didn't write this song....Shel Silverstein did. He wrote many children's book like "Where the Sidewalk Ends"

[@kevinstrong8265]

He asked for a drink of water, looked at the brown water and slammed the glass down on the floor at San Quentin and looked at the warden when he did it. He wasn't for the man.

[@bevieann61]

Cocaine Blues is a banger !

[@MommaBird52]

Check out Man In Black.

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks for the recommendation! Heard that was a great one!

[@captainkangaroo4301]

This is a fun performance it’s just too bad JR completely forgot one of the verses.

[@CrowVWade]

Stagger Lee by Nick Cave is excellent. Its less up beat than a boy named sue though

[@davidbecker2536]

You want a great story song try listening to Johnny Cash song Chattanooga city limit sign.

[@gwynnelovas7702]

Okay I know a really good song that you should react to. It's Procol Harman Whiter Shade of Pale live in Denmark. It's an old song and the group is in their 60s or 70s at this point but it's a great great video and it's amazing

[@setonhillstudios]

It’s on the channel! Loved it!

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

Have you Heard, Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny? It's a quick one but it's a banger. This live version is from San Quentin also but I think it's from a different show bc he introduces the band again but it's not the same as this song's. Anyway. It's fast, it's cool, great story and dripping with Johnny's swag! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXiTl4ZqedR6i8Usi=tgTjI_LagW4CTEx9 🤘🤘

[@LoisReynolds-s2v]

Yes!! Cash did a lot of prison concerts at San Quntion and yes he did Time there Liston to a song he did Live that a prisoner wroth call Grey Stone 💒 Love ❤️ ❤❤your channel and Reviews

[@dogsoldiertoo1099]

False. Johnny never served time in prison. He had a few run ins with the law but was never sentence to prison time. He never spent more than one night in jail.

[@willhorting5317]

Johnny Cash never spent time in San Quentin, or any other prison. I think you might have him confused with Merle Haggard, who DID spend two years (1958-1960) at San Quentin. Cash WAS arrested seven times, for misdemeanor charges. But in every instance, he only spent one night in jail each.

[@maryannanderson2213]

Johnny Cash NEVER spent any time in prison, not San Quentin and not Folsom because he never committed a felony. Johnny performed several times in various prisons but he was NEVER an inmate. He spent more than one night behind bars but it was for possession of drugs and was in county jails. He told the story of how he was locked up overnight in some little jail and the next morning the sheriff came in and unlocked the door and told him to get out and to NEVER let him see him again. He said, "My wife is a HUGE fan of yours and when I went home last night and told her I had Johnny Cash locked up in my jail she started crying and she cried all night. I never want to see you again because I never again want to listen to my wife cry all night over you."

[@setonhillstudios]

So glad you are enjoying the channel! Thanks for hanging out and have a great day! 😁

[@lunchboxradio5890]

There's a whole verse missing from this video for some reason. Nothing you did, it's come up alot lately. The second verse, directly after dad naming him Sue and before getting to Gatlinburg goes Well he must've thought it was quite a joke, and it got a lot of laughs from a lot of folks, seem I had to fight my whole life through. Some gal would giggle and I'd turn red, some guy would laugh and I'd bust his head. I tell you, life ain't easy for a boy named Sue.

[@gwynnelovas7702]

Have u done Man in Black...its live and he tells us why he is always wearing black

[@stevenangle8407]

Can I make a suggestion for a music reaction? If so, "Where The Timbers Cross" by Walt Mills, I think you'll love it!! Also, "I Serve A Saviour" by Josh Turner the on the KZbin channel Gaither Music TV

[@bethking7348]

I remember when I was a little kid, my parents and grandmother were shocked when he got jailed for transporting what I thought they said were "pet pills" from Mexico. What the heck are "pet pills"? 😂

[@setonhillstudios]

🤣😂

[@ednafenton7558]

Everyone listens to this clip. But it's missing a couple lines. "Some gal would giggle & l'd get red. Some guy would laugh & l'd bust his head. Yeah I tell you life ain't easy for a boy named Sue." Going off my memory. So l think l got the lines right. If not, l'm sure someone will correct it for you.

[@michaelmaldonado5648]

You guys help me out. What’s the song called about the old flag?

[@tikigirl3308]

Ragged Old Flag

[@michaeltaylor8835]

I don't know anyone else who gigged at SQ

[@setonhillstudios]

🤣😂 Nope!