Johnny Cash – Ballad of a Teenage Queen

«Ballad of a Teenage Queen» is a song written by Jack Clement and recorded by Johnny Cash, with background vocals by The Tennessee Two. Recorded for his 1958 album Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous, the song hit number one on the US Country charts and number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is 2 minutes and 13 seconds long.

During his brief stint with Mercury Records, Cash re-recorded the song in 1987 featuring guest vocals by his daughter, Rosanne Cash and The Everly Brothers. This version was first released on the 1988 duets album Water from the Wells of Home and is one of only a handful of recordings of Cash performing with his daughter to be released. It received a nomination for Vocal Event of the Year at the 1989 Country Music Association Awards.

From the album Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous
B-side Big River
Released January 6, 1958
Recorded November 12 and 22, 1957
Genre Rock and roll, country
Length 2:13
Label Sun
Songwriter(s) Jack Clement
Producer(s) Sam Phillips, Jack Clement

Johnny Cash – Ballad of a Teenage Queen lyrics

There’s a story in our town
Of the prettiest girl around
Golden hair and eyes of blue
How those eyes could flash at you (How those eyes could flash at you)
Boys hung ‘round her by the score
But she loved the boy next door who worked at the candy store
(Dream on, dream on teenage queen prettiest girl we’ve ever seen)

She was tops in all they said
It never once went to her head
She had everything it seems
Not a care, this teenage queen (Not a care, this teenage queen)
Other boys could offer more
But she loved the boy next door who worked at the candy store
(Dream on, dream on teenage queen you should be a movie queen)

He would marry her next spring
Saved his money, bought a ring
Then one day a movie scout
Came to town to take her out (Came to town to take her out)
Hollywood could offer more
So she left the boy next door working at the candy store
(Dream on, dream on teenage queen see you on the movie screen)

Very soon she was a star
Pretty house and shiny car
Swimming pool and a fence around
But she missed her old home town (But she missed her old home town)
All the world was at her door
All except the boy next door who worked at the candy store
(Dream on, dream on teenage queen saddest girl we’ve ever seen)

Then one day the teenage star
Sold her house and all her cars
Gave up all her wealth and fame
Left it all and caught a train (Left it all and caught a train)
Do I have to tell you more
She came back to the boy next door who worked at the candy store

(Now this story has some more, you’ll hear it all at the candy store)