Maybe it's my hearing, but some song lyrics leave me baffled. As an example of my befuddlement, here are what I have perceived to be words to various songs. If you can point out what the correct lyrics are, I'd greatly appreciate it ... although I'll probably still remember them as I always have.
In the song "Groovin'" by The [Young] Rascals I hear the lyrics "Life would be ecstasy / You and me and Lesley." Is the singer proposing some sort of menage a trois? [No, but apparently I wasn't the only one who misheard these lines as such.] I blame it on the accenting of syllables in the word "endlessly" - end-LESS-ly, not END-less-ly.
Here are the supposedly correct lyrics.
In the Monkees' "Last Train to Clarksville" is a line which sounds to me like "We'll have time for corned beef-flavored kisses." The line is actually "We'll have time for coffee-flavored kisses," but I like my version better.
The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" contains the lines
"All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?"
Even after careful listening I still hear the word "lonely" as "lovely." Not a big difference, but it does alter the spirit of the song somewhat.
According to the liner notes of a Japanese issue (but not the U.S. release)
of Paul McCartney & Wings' album "Band On the Run," the first lines of the song
"Picasso's Last Words" are:
"The grand old painter died last night
His paintings on the wall"
I used to hear them as:
"Randall Paynton died last night
His paintings on the wall"
Who's Randall Paynton, you might ask? Why, the grand old painter, of course!
In the first line of Paul McCartney's "With A Little Luck" I could swear that he's using a swear word. To me, it doesn't sound like "luck" but the F-word. Is it possible that he sneaked it past censors all those years ago? If nothing else, I guarantee that from now on you'll never listen to that song the same way again.
In the movie "Home Alone 2: Lost In New York" is a song called "Cool Jerk," which is performed by the Capitols. (It's the one that Kevin's uncle is singing in the shower.) I thought that the lyrics included the words "Do the Cougar." In fact, several times in the song are references to a "cat," which would jibe with a cougar. So I was genuinely surprised when I read the actual title on the soundtrack album.
On Supertramp's album "Breakfast In America" is the song "Gone Hollywood" which has more unintelligible lyrics than I can shake a stick at. I'll eventually try to document some of them. Fortunately, the album's liner notes include the words to all its songs.
Not a song, but ever since I was very young I thought that in the 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz" the Wicked Witch of the West's Winkie guards were chanting "Yo-ho Oreo," possibly in tribute to the popular Nabisco cookie. If not, then what the heck are they saying? [According to the book of the screenplay, they're saying "O-Ee-Yah! Eoh-Ah!" Makes a whole lot more sense!]
In another Monkees' song, "Zilch," it sounds to me like Davy's mantra is "China cup a-calling Alameda." Not too far off, surprisingly, because it's actually "China Clipper calling Alameda." At least that's what they say here.
I used to think that the line in Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" was "It's a little secret, just the Robinson's are there," not "It's a little secret, just the Robinson's affair." You've got to agree that it would fit my way, too.
Jon Secada's "Just Another Day":
Supposedly the line in question is "Everytime we're together," not "Everytime we eat together," which is how I hear it.
The Andrews Sisters' "Beat Me Daddy, Eight To The Bar":
It's not the "basin guitar," but "bass and guitar." ("But when he plays with the bass and guitar / They holler out, 'Beat me Daddy, eight to the bar'") And I have no idea what half of the lyrics to "Hold Tight (Want Some Sea Food Mama)" are, although probably not many do - or ever did.
I admit it: My tastes in music aren't always the most contemporary.
For many years, until I got Cyndi Lauper's "She's So Unusual," which contains all the album's songs' lyrics, I wasn't sure of the exact words in one part of her signature song, "Girl's Just Want To Have Fun." The best I could come up with was: "Why in the world don't they understand / Girls - they want to have fun." Now, I'm surprised that I couldn't discern the actual lyrics: "When the working day is done / Girls - they want to have fun."
Listening to ABBA's Greatest Hits CD, I heard the following in their song "One Of Us":
"And so I dealt you the blow
When a bus had to go
Now it's different, I want you to know"
and:
"That's how I started the show
When a bus had to go
Now I've changed and I want you to know"
Since I was pretty sure that the second line in each excerpt wasn't what was intended, I tracked down the lyrics on the Net. It's actually "One of us had to go." I like my line better, though.
I can't help it ... no matter how many times I listen to Paul McCartney's "Junior's Farm," it sounds to me as if he's singing about the Boca man - presumably, some guy from Boca Raton. Supposedly, it's the poker man. ("You should have seen me with the poker man.")
I know what the lyrics to "Holly Jolly Christmas" are, but I like to mishear the lines
"Oh, ho, the mistletoeas
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me"
"Oh, ho, the mistletoe
Hum when you can't sing
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me"
Listening to Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock," I thought I heard something about "Eleanor," (No, not the aforementioned Ms. Rigby. Just Eleanor.) so I decided to get the correct lyrics. It turns out that I got not only that word wrong but several others. Here are my version and the true version, respectively:
"Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
Little Joey blowin' on the slide trombone
The drummer boys from Eleanor were crash, boom, bang
The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang"
"Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang"
The Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like An Eagle": It's "shoe the children," not "shoot the children." My bad.
On the Beatles "Anthology 1" (Disk 2), they perform "Till There Was You" from "The Music Man." I'm sure Paul is singing at least one line of the lyrics wrong, and grammatically incorrectly as well - twice: "Then there was music / And wonderful roses / They had send me / In sweet, fragrant meadows of dawn / And dew." According to several Internet sites, the third line is actually "They tell me." On "With The Beatles," the way he sings it sounds right. Since the "Anthology" version was performed live, it's altogether possible that he botched the words.
One more thing: For the record, I listened to the "Anthology" track several times, and I don't even hear "They had sent me," which at least would make it grammatically correct.
Maybe it was visions of their other psychedelic efforts such as "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," but I've always heard one line of the Beatles' "Glass Onion" as "Look into the big, bad tulips." Listening to their early version of this song on "Anthology 3" (Disk 1), it became clear to me that, of course, I was wrong. Numerous Internet sites indicate that the line is actually "Looking through the bent backed tulips."
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For the record, it's not
"Oh, give me the Beach Boys, and free my soulbut
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll
And drift away"
"Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll
And drift away"
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The correct lyrics are
"Meet the MetsWe hear (or prefer to hear)
Meet the Mets
Step right up and greet the Mets
Hot dogs, green grass
All out at Shea
Guaranteed to have a heck of a day"
"Meet the Mets
Meet the Mets
Step right up and greet the Mets
Hot dogs, bean bags
All out of shape
Guaranteed to have a heck of a day"
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"We stood at the altarI can't help hearing "wee, wee" as "wee-wee!"
The gypsy swore our future was right
But come the wee, wee hours
Well, maybe, baby, the gypsy lied"
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"Sweet devotionThe only doubt I have is whether it's "Atlantic Ocean" or "Land o' Goshen."
It's not for me
Just give me motion
And set me free
Atlantic Ocean
Far away
The life I've chosen
Every day"
Also in that song are the following lyrics:
"You can laugh at my behaviorI always thought the first line was "The lack of my behavior." It kind of works out right that way, too.
That'll never bother me
Say the devil is my savior
But I don't pay no heed"
And a third one:
"Like a ship without an anchorI used to hear the second line as "Like a snake without a chain." Hey, I didn't say that it had to make sense.
Like a slave without a chain
Just the thought of those sweet ladies
Sends a shiver through my veins"
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Here, for reference (primarily mine), are the song's complete - supposedly correct - lyrics:
Early in the evenin' just about supper time,
Over by the courthouse they're starting to unwind.
Four kids on the corner trying to bring you up.
Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp.
Chorus:
Down on the corner, out in the street,
Willy and the Poorboys are playin';
Bring a nickel; tap your feet.
Rooster hits the washboard and people just got to smile,
Blinky thumps the gut bass and solos for a while.
Poorboy twangs the rhythm out on his kalamazoo.
Willy goes into a dance and doubles on kazoo.
Chorus
Chorus
You don't need a penny just to hang around,
But if you've got a nickel, won't you lay your money down?
Over on the corner there's a happy noise.
People come from all around to watch the magic boy.
Chorus
Chorus
Chorus
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"Blister City
Policemen sitting
Pretty little policemen in a row"
Is supposedly actually:
"Mister City Policeman sitting
Pretty little policemen in a row"
Either way, it makes as much sense as the rest of the song's lyrics. And what I thought was "Kroppalocka fishwife" is "Crabalocker fishwife." Goo-goo goo-joob!
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"Forty days in the park
Every day's the Fourth of July
Forty days in the park
Every day's the Fourth of July"
Nope. It's actually:
"Funny days in the park
Every day's the Fourth of July
Funny days in the park
Every day's the Fourth of July"
If nothing else, "forty days" sounds very Biblical, you must agree. And forty days in the park is much better than forty days of cataclysmic floods, right?
One more thing: What is the line after "A man selling ice cream / Singing Italian songs"? Presumably, it's something in Italian.
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Rock-n-rolling figures move thru' prisms of no color. Hand in hand, they walk the night, But never know each other. Passion passed in neon lights light up the jeweled trav'ler Lost in scenes of smoke filled dreams, Find questions, but no answers. Startled eyes that sometimes see phantasmagoric splendor Pirouette down palmsy (?) paths With pennies for the vendor. Salvation's yours for just the time it takes to pay the dancer. Once again sandracious (?) men Find questions, but no answers. The night has gone and taken its infractions, While reddened eyes hope there will be a next one. Terror signs look down upon a world that glitters glibly. And mountain sides put arms around The unsuspecting city. Second hands, their minds are slow are moving even faster Toward bringing down someone who's found The questions, but no answers. |
Darkened rolling figures move thru' prisms of no color. Hand in hand, they walk the night, But never know each other. Passioned pastel neon lights light up the jeweled trav'ler Who, lost in scenes of smoke filled dreams, Find questions, but no answers. Startled eyes that sometimes see phantasmagoric splendor Pirouette down palsied paths With pennies for the vendor. Salvation's yours for just the time it takes to pay the dancer. And once again such anxious men Find questions, but no answers. The night has gone and taken its infractions, While saddened eyes hope there will be a next one. Sahara signs look down upon a world that glitters glibly. And mountain sides put arms around The unsuspecting city. Second hands that minds have slowed are moving even faster Toward bringing down someone who's found The questions, but no answers. |
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One way or another, I'm gonna lose ya' I'm gonna give you the slip A slip of the hip or another I'm gonna lose ya' I'm gonna trick ya', I'll trick ya' ... I'll walk down the mall, stand over by the wall Where I can see it all, find out who ya' call Lead you to the supermarket checkout Specials on rat food, get most any crap |
One way or another, I'm gonna lose ya' I'm gonna give you the slip A slip of the lip or another I'm gonna lose ya' I'm gonna trick ya', I'll trick ya' ... I'll walk down the mall, stand over by the wall Where I can see it all, find out who ya' call Lead you to the supermarket checkout Some specials and rat food, get lost in the crowd |
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"Get Off Of My Cloud":
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I live in an apartment on the ninety-ninth floor of my block And I sit at home looking out the window Imagining the world has stopped Then in flies a guy who's all dressed up like a Union Jack And says, I've won five pounds if I have his kind of detergent pack I said, Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Don't hang around all through the ground On my cloud, baby The telephone is ringing I say, "Hi, it's me. Who is it there on the line?" A voice says, "Hi, hello, how are you Well, I guess I'm doin' fine" He says, "It's three a.m., there's too much noise Don't you people ever wanna go to bed? Just 'cause you feel so good, do you have To drive me out of my head?" I said, Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Don't hang around all through the ground On my cloud baby I was sick and tired to put up with them So I decided to take a ride downtown It was so very quiet and peaceful There was nobody, not a soul around I laid myself out, I was so tired and I started to dream In the morning the park <unintelligible> White flag and step on my way and scream I said, Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Don't hang around all through the ground On my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Don't hang around, baby, two's a crowd |
I live in an apartment on the ninety-ninth floor of my block And I sit at home looking out the window Imagining the world has stopped Then in flies a guy who's all dressed up like a Union Jack And says, I've won five pounds if I have his kind of detergent pack I said, Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Don't hang around 'cause two's a crowd On my cloud, baby The telephone is ringing I say, "Hi, it's me. Who is it there on the line?" A voice says, "Hi, hello, how are you Well, I guess I'm doin' fine" He says, "It's three a.m., there's too much noise Don't you people ever wanna go to bed? Just 'cause you feel so good, do you have To drive me out of my head?" I said, Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Don't hang around 'cause two's a crowd On my cloud baby I was sick and tired, fed up with this And decided to take a drive downtown It was so very quiet and peaceful There was nobody, not a soul around I laid myself out, I was so tired and I started to dream In the morning the parking tickets were just like A flag stuck on my window screen I said, Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Don't hang around 'cause two's a crowd On my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Hey! You! Get off of my cloud Don't hang around, baby, two's a crowd |
Comments:
"19th Nervous Breakdown":
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You're the kind of person you'd be at certain dismal dull affairs. Sitting on the crowd, talking much too loud running up and down the stairs. Well, it seems to me that you have seen too much in too few years. And though you try you just can't hide your eyes will itch with tears. You better stop, look around, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, Here it comes. Here comes your nineteenth nervous breakdown. When you were a child you were treated kind But you were never brought up right. You were always spoiled with a thousand toys but still you cried all night. Your mother who neglected you woes a million dollars tax. And your father's still perfecting ways of making sealing wax. You better stop, look around, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, Here it comes. Here comes your nineteenth nervous breakdown. Oh, who's to blame, that girl's just insane. Well nothing I do don't seem to work, It only seems to make matters worse. Oh please. You were still in school when you had that fool who really messed your mind. And after that you turned your back on treating people kind. On outburst trip I tried so hard to rearrange your mind. But after while I realized you were just a raging mind. You better stop, look around, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, Here it comes. Here comes your nineteenth nervous breakdown. Here comes your nineteenth nervous breakdown. |
You're the kind of person you meet at certain dismal dull affairs. Center of a crowd, talking much too loud running up and down the stairs. Well, it seems to me that you have seen too much in too few years. And though you've tried you just can't hide your eyes are edged with tears. You better stop, look around, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, Here it comes. Here comes your nineteenth nervous breakdown. When you were a child you were treated kind But you were never brought up right. You were always spoiled with a thousand toys but still you cried all night. Your mother who neglected you woes a million dollars tax. And your father's still perfecting ways of making sealing wax. You better stop, look around, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, Here it comes. Here comes your nineteenth nervous breakdown. Oh, who's to blame, that girl's just insane. Well nothing I do don't seem to work, It only seems to make matters worse. Oh please. You were still in school when you had that fool who really messed your mind. And after that you turned your back on treating people kind. On our first trip I tried so hard to rearrange your mind. But after while I realized you were disarranging mine. You better stop, look around, here it comes, here it comes, here it comes, Here it comes. Here comes your nineteenth nervous breakdown. Here comes your nineteenth nervous breakdown. |
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"When [my nephew] was a little boy, the show "[The Courtship of] Eddie's Father" (with Bill Bixby and Brandon Cruz) was on, and the title song lyrics began, 'People, let me tell you 'bout my best friend'. The poor kid used to walk around his house crooning, 'People, let me tell you 'bout my bedspread!'"
The Archive of Misheard Lyrics
Say WHAT??? [misheard Monkees lyrics]
The Brunching Shuttlecocks - A humorous take on misheard lyrics
The Octopus's Garden - Wrong Lyrics
The Misheard Lyrics Hall of Fame
http://www.hereonjupiter.com/lyrics.html
Music For The Masses (four pages altogether)
Glyphs Misheard Song Lyrics Forum
http://www.kingstreenews.com/20000419/Fence.Htm
What is the most misunderstood song lyric?
Misconstrued Lyrics (scroll down the page a bit)
http://www.petting-zoo.net/~deadbeef/archive/1318.html
http://fuquad.freeservers.com/custom.html
MIS-HEARD SONG LYRICS (plus a lot of other humorous stuff)