11 Bizarrely Unnecessary Sequels To Classic Songs

Made famous by Johnny Cash, "A Boy Named Sue" was originally written and recorded by Shel Silverstein. The song, inspired by the childhood bullying suffered by humorist Jean Shepherd, tells the story of a man who seeks to hunt down and murder the deadbeat father who cursed him with a girl's name. After a long, bloody battle, Sue learns that his father's intention was to give him a name that would force him to become strong.

While Silverstein wrote the song as a comedy piece, its message - that the things we hate can strengthen us - is actually fairly profound. It's also completely eradicated by his follow-up, which tells the story from the deadbeat dad's perspective.

In this version, the dad abandons his son because he simply doesn't want to deal with the kid. Sue grows up to be a cross-dresser, threatens to shoot his father, and the father makes up a lame excuse for the name simply to save his own life. Then they move in together and start having sex, but only on the nights that Sue's dad can't score. Anything more would be excessive.

Those familiar with some of Silverstein's other adult writings may actually find this story pretty tame by comparison. Those who grew up with Uncle Shelby's poetry, and who only heard Cash's mildly censored versions of "A Boy Named Sue," will find this incestuous sequel a bit difficult to wrap their heads around.