I used to work with a man named Linda. Now Linda is even a more feminine name for a boy to go with but he did not seem to mind. We called him "Lin" most of the time.
One of those songs whenever I hear it, it takes me back to where I was when I first heard it.
I knew a guy named “Carroll” one time...
...named after his mothers maiden name...
I see too many boys named “Sue” these days.
He should never have sung it.
Here is the live version at San Quentin.
Interesting knowing the story. You can see how he starts getting into the rhythm as he goes along.
My name is Sue. I was 20 years old when that song came out, working in a job that required me to introduce myself to customers.
Instead of enjoying the humor of the song, today’s generation would be asking what Sue’s pronouns are.
I once asked my dad why he gave me my name and he quoted this song...to make me tough. True story.
Respectfully,
Boogernose
...I won’t post my real name here. The origin is from another country. Got in many fistfights over my name and dad was right. It made me tougher. Today, I wear it honorably and am pleased to no end when I meet someone from the countries of origin who know how to and do pronounce it with delight, as it takes them and me back home.
There is no sweeter word in all of a person’s native language than to hear one’s own name spoken by another with kindness.
Was good friends with a boy named Sue.
(Actually it was Soo and he was Korean. But, boy, did he get teased!)
Interesting that Jean Shepherd was the inspiration.
Love A Christmas Story.
I used to know a couple of boys named Sue! One was a classmate and the other, his older brother just completed his marine term in Vietnam.
Both were really good kids, and Sue was their last name. I met the older one just around the time the song came out.
Naturally, whhenever I hear that song, I think of those two kids...and now they’re old men.
Wasn’t there a boy named Sue in one of the Johnny English movies?
In Nashville there was a guy called Soo Bridgeforth, the proprietor of the Modern Era club. I can’t help believing Silverstein knew about him.
Didn’t know Shel Silverstein wrote the song and did the original version. Always loved his songs (Bury Me in My Shades, Freakin’ at the Freakers’ Ball, Sara Cynthia Sylvia Stout, etc., but boy he was not much of a singer.