The Marginalian
The Marginalian

Shel Silverstein Duets with Johnny Cash, 1970

Few know that beloved children’s book author Shel Silverstein (September 25, 1930–May 10, 1999), of The Giving Tree fame, was also a prolific songwriter whose songs were posthumously — and beautifully — covered by contemporary indie icons.

On April 1, 1970, Silverstein brought his musical talents to The Johnny Cash Show. After a quick and playful duet with Cash on his song “Boy Named Sue,” Silverstein does a charming solo performance of a children’s song he wrote called “Daddy, What If,” prefaced by a moving aside about his relationship with his own father. Enjoy.

I’m really proud of the relationship I have with my dad, I really love him a lot.

Complement with Silverstein’s fantastic posthumous anthology of 137 never-before-seen poems and drawings and his impossibly wonderful The Missing Piece and the Big O.


Published October 28, 2011

https://www.themarginalian.org/2011/10/28/shel-silverstein-johnny-cash-show-1970/

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