# Favorite misheard song lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 24, 2014, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066 "2014-02-24T03:58:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2014, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/61 "2014-03-10T02:22:33Z")
> [@DuckOnWheels](#): > > Then there’s one I was SURE could not be the actual lyric but WAS: > The Cars: ‘It’s an ORANGY sky / always with some other guy’ (Is “orangy” a word?) > > In that same song, I thought ‘It’s just a broken lullaby" was, well, an EFFIN’ lullaby. > > Singers shouldn’t mutter. “Bye Bye Love” by The Cars I actually thought the lyric was “fuckin’ alibi” instead of “broken lullaby” for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/62 "2014-03-10T02:35:26Z")
Elton John tried to come out in his songs, I guess: “Don’t let your son go down on me” and “Hold me closer, Tony Danza” ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/63 "2014-03-11T00:15:40Z")
I used to like that JD Souther song, “When You’re Old and Moldy.” ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/64 "2014-04-26T20:56:36Z")
Always heard it as “too rich for charity” (which doesn’t make much sense) McCartney, Band on the Run: Thought of giving it all away. To a registered charity ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2014, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/65 "2014-04-26T22:23:05Z")
Anything by Credence Clearwater Revival. Hell, anything at all ever sung by John Fogerty. In fairness, though, just look at this REAL verse for **Down on the Corner** > [@](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Roundabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dec6dc/32.png) [@Roundabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roundabout)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/66 "2014-04-28T02:22:25Z")
For the record, I still can’t understand all the lyrics to Marvin Gaye’s [Life’s a Game of Give and Take](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFCPlcwe_1E). I can admit understanding What am I to blame? Worrying 'bout your business See you on your way Living as a witness See me on my way Though to be fair, I don’t think the lyrics for that song have ever been given as it was unreleased. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/67 "2014-04-28T18:32:36Z")
> [@Octarine](#): > > In the song “I’m Yours” I always hear “No but I won’t get sauteed no more”. Maybe Mr. Mraz was tired of being pan-fried with an assortment of vegetables and soy sauce. I don’t actually know what the real words are, as I’ve only ever heard it in public places (grocery store, etc.) and never bothered to find out. Might check that now . . . I used to hear it that way, too. Then I found out that it’s “I won’t hesitate no more.” That always amuses me, since he’s hesitating after every syllable: " I… won’t… he… si… tate… no… more… No… more… It… can… not… wait… I’m… yours." ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/68 "2014-05-05T14:03:09Z")
I got woo-mama-naybas Dixie cups All flavors and push-ups too Van Halen - “Ice Cream Man” ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/69 "2014-05-05T15:00:39Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Sondheim: “Don’t you love farts? My fault I fear.” Don’t you love farts? My fart I fear. I fear that you smelt what I dealt. Sorry, my dear. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/70 "2014-05-05T15:12:42Z")
Some of the misheard lyrics are better than the real ones. The Dylan one especially. I sort-of think Hendrix really was singing “kiss this guy”. He’s actin’ “funny” after all (not funny ha-ha but the other one). But, at the time he wasn’t ready to be that radical, so he backpedaled. Cream’s _Sunshine of Your Love_ is better with “dull surprise” rather than the correct “dawn surprise” (you mean, it’s just a sex reference? Bore-Ring!) I never heard this song this way, but I read someone thought “Jump Jive and Wail” was “drunk drive and wail”. Now I can’t **not** hear it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/71 "2014-05-05T15:23:46Z")
Arthur Conley did a “tribute song” called _Sweet Soul Music_ in which he calls out famous R&B singers with “Spotlight on . . .” The singers are Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, James Brown . . . and for many years, I thought, Sammy Davis. Which seemed odd. Sammy didn’t belong with the others. He was better known for show tunes and lighter fare. But what the heck, I thought. I don’t know his entire _ouevre_. No doubt he dabbled in soul. Finally, after about 30 years, it hit me . . . the reference was not to Sammy Davis, but to Sam & Dave, performers of _Soul Man_ and _Hold On, I’m Coming_. Sorry, Sammy–no spotlight for you! ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/72 "2014-05-05T16:01:41Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > In fairness, though, just look at this REAL verse for **Down on the Corner** When the song was new, I heard that last line as “And when he goes into a dance, the devil’s on the loose.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/73 "2014-05-05T16:08:05Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > When the song was new, I heard that last line as “And when he goes into a dance, the devil’s on the loose.” Yep. Me too. And speaking of the devil, in “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out,” I always though it was “dev-devil you can faze out.” Whatever the hell that means. ---
**Author:** ![Tread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Tread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tread)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/74 "2014-07-04T18:50:33Z")
Everytime The Police sang: Are spirits in the material world Are spirits in the material world Are spirits in the material world I heard I Stare into my Cheerios I Stare into my Cheerios I Stare into my Cheerios ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/75 "2014-07-04T19:42:18Z")
From “Summer in Siam” by the Pogues, I always heard the opening lines as: > [@](#): > > When it’s Summer in Siam > And the moon is full of wrinkles The actual lyric is: > [@](#): > > When it’s Summer in Siam > And the moon is full of rainbows My version makes more sense. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/76 "2014-07-04T21:56:59Z")
My two (the second of which I thought were the actual lyrics up until about a year ago): “Don’t give us none of your aggravation, We’ve had it with your Death Star plans.” (Elton John, “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”) (“just start playin’”) “Just like a one-winged dove…” (Fleetwood Mac, “Edge of Seventeen”) (“white-winged dove”) I always pictured the poor dove flying in circles because it only had one wing… ---
**Author:** ![dada2fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ccd318/32.png) [@dada2fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dada2fish)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/77 "2014-07-04T22:02:21Z")
Van Halen’s Runnin’ With the Devil - I thought was a song about war. “I got no love, no love in Korea. I got nobody waiting at home.” Actually says " I got no love, no love to call real…" Paul Simon’s Kodachrome - I thought said, “Mama’s gonna take my combs an’ throw 'em all away.” Actually says , “Moma’s gonna take my Kodachrome away.” I found out while watching the movie Lost in Translation that my lyrics were wrong in the song Baby You’re the Best by Carly Simon. My version: “Nobody does it, heaven’s caress you, baby you’re the best.” Actually says, “Nobody does it, half as good as you, baby you’re the best.” ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/78 "2014-07-04T22:58:40Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > “Don’t give us none of your aggravation, > We’ve had it with your Death Star plans.” (Elton John, “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”) (“just start playin’”) “We’ve had it with your _discipline_.” ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/79 "2014-07-04T23:04:36Z")
> [@Labdad](#): > > From “Groovin’” by the Rascals: > > “Life would be ecstasy, you and me and Leslie!” > > Who the hell is Leslie, and why does he/she belong in the mix? Is it the girl’s kid? > > (It’s you and me endlessly, btw :smack: ) Dang, I thought to this moment that it _was_ Leslie. It took me years to realize that [this Grass Roots song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RldavTsbGFk) was not called “Plantation Eyes”. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066/80 "2014-07-04T23:17:01Z")
Mrs. J. just informed me that she once thought [a certain Creedence song](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/c/creedence+clearwater+revival/bad+moon+rising_20034328.html) went “There’s a bathroom on the right”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-misheard-song-lyrics/682066.md?page=5)