# In praise of the "fake-out rhyme" lyric **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 28, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475 "2014-05-28T17:05:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/1 "2014-05-28T17:05:35Z")
Not sure if there’s a name for this lyrical device, but it makes me giggle every time. The lyrics leads you to believe a certain rhyming word is coming, then swaps it out for another word that doesn’t fit the rhyme scheme, for comic effect. Examples: - From _Buffy The Vampire Slayer_’s musical episode, “Once more with Feeling,” in the song, “I’ll Never Tell,” Xander sings to Anya: “You’re the cutest of the Scoobies With your lips as red as rubies And your firm yet supple —” \ “…Tight embrace!” - From _Frozen_, in the song, “In Summer”, Olaf the snowman sings: “Winter’s a good time to stay in and cuddle, But put me in summer and I’ll be a…” \ “…happy snowman!” In a slight twist, I know of one example, where the singer does use the expected word (or seems to), but then extends the line, breaking the rhyme scheme to reveal a different meaning for the word: - In Stephen Lynch’s song, “If I Were Gay,” he sings: “If I were gay, I would give you my soul, and if I were gay, I would give you my [w]hole… being” (he also uses the standard version of the tactic in the same song: “If I were gay, we could tear down the walls, But I’m not gay, so won’t you stop cupping my… hand?” ) (Yes, Stephen Lynch, Buffy, and Disney. I’m eclectic, OK?) Is there a name for this? What are you favorite examples? ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/2 "2014-05-28T17:09:52Z")
The entire song Bang Bang Lulu is based on this. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/3 "2014-05-28T17:12:37Z")
Family Guy has done that a couple of times. “I like the works of Allen Funt, And a nicely shaven leg” One that is not that funny was Peter singing the theme song to his imaginary show “My Black Son”: (from memory) “My black son, my black son, Now they say my heart is growing bigger, Don’t remember sleeping with that lady, but I did.” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/4 "2014-05-28T17:20:38Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > The entire song Bang Bang Lulu is based on this. And, of course, [Shaving Cream](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8ffkDf0ol4). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/5 "2014-05-28T17:23:31Z")
Oh, and the technique is called a [“mind rhyme”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_rhyme) or a “teasing rhyme.” ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/6 "2014-05-28T18:07:57Z")
One of my favourites is from the They Might Be Giants song Kiss Me Son of God: “Now you’re the only one here who can tell me if it’s true That you love me… and I love me.” You have to hear it, really. That and the aforementioned “firm, yet supple, tight embrace”. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/7 "2014-05-28T18:10:34Z")
When I was a child, I found the song Sweet Violets to be very amusing because of all the mind rhymes. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/8 "2014-05-28T18:15:16Z")
May not count since they’re intended to be humorous, but John Forster and of course Tom Lehrer are masters of misdirected rhymes. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/9 "2014-05-28T18:16:56Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > And, of course, [Shaving Cream](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8ffkDf0ol4). Yeah, that’s a classic example. They’re not songs, exactly, but I remember from childhood “rhymes” or “cheers” like _Rah rah ree! Kick 'em in the knee! Rah rah rass! Kick 'em in the other knee!_ and _Spring has sprung, Fall has fell, Summer is here And it’s hotter than usual._ The Adam Again song “[Strobe](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLKz2nWcK4g)” includes the verse _Remember when you laughed in my ear three times I was waiting for more you said “who am I” Now you’re yelling in the shopping line Saying here’s two nickels will you give me a quarter_ ---
**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 28, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/10 "2014-05-28T18:23:37Z")
The Doors - L’America “Change the weather, change your luck And then he’ll teach you how to … ffffind yourself” While not a rhyme, my brain always expected a different word in The Who’s My Generation: “Why don’t you all f-f-fade away…” ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/11 "2014-05-28T18:29:15Z")
A favorite from my childhood. Waited 40 years for an opportunity to use it on my 8 and 10 year old cousins. The “surprise” lyric almost gave them whiplash. The ringleader (you) sings the end of the changing fourth line. Everybody sings all the other lines. (with feeling) \*The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah The ants go marching one by one, **the little one stops to have some fun,** and they all go marching down. To the earth. To get out. Of the rain. Boom, boom, boom… \* Verse two (condensed) \*The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah… **the little one stops to tie his shoe…** \* Got it? On to Verse three, wherein TC’s young cousins exploded with surprised and outraged delight: \*The ants go marching three by three, hurrah, hurrah (repeat 2x)… The ants go marching three by three, **the little one stops to take a look** and they all (etc. ad nauseum) \* . ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/12 "2014-05-28T18:32:46Z")
Mr. Brightside from The Killers "Now I’m falling asleep And she’s calling a cab While he’s having a smoke And she’s taking a drag Now they’re going to bed And my stomach is sick And it’s all in my head But she’s touching his…chest now He takes off her dress now Letting me go" It’s not as clear when typed out but when you hear it for the first time you don’t think he will say “chest”. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/13 "2014-05-28T18:33:47Z")
From the movie _Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story_, his song with the girl from the Office called “Let’s Duet” was nothing but misdirection. The only one I can recall right now: “In my mind you’re blowing me… … some kisses” ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/14 "2014-05-28T18:47:44Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > When I was a child, I found the song Sweet Violets to be very amusing because of all the mind rhymes. And [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A35rHifDG8) it is (the “Sing Along with Mitch Miller” version). ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/15 "2014-05-28T18:49:13Z")
> [@xizor](#): > > From the movie _Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story_, his song with the girl from the Office called “Let’s Duet” was nothing but misdirection. > The only one I can recall right now: > “In my mind you’re blowing me… > … some kisses” Or [Martin and Lewis’s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cieFmcOqiUY) version. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/16 "2014-05-28T18:50:13Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Yeah, that’s a classic example. > > They’re not songs, exactly, but I remember from childhood “rhymes” or “cheers” like > > _Rah rah ree! > Kick 'em in the knee! > Rah rah rass! > Kick 'em in the other knee!_ > > and > > _Spring has sprung, > Fall has fell, > Summer is here > And it’s hotter than usual._ "Roses are red and ready for plucking “You’re sixteen and ready for high school!” ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/17 "2014-05-28T18:53:15Z")
Roger Rabbit - “Nose? Dat don’t rhyme with _walls_…” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/18 "2014-05-28T19:00:38Z")
In the prose category, we have the Simpsons store sign “Sneed’s Feed and Seed (formerly Chuck’s)”. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/19 "2014-05-28T19:13:51Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > Mr. Brightside from The Killers > > "Now I’m falling asleep > And she’s calling a cab > While he’s having a smoke > And she’s taking a drag > > Now they’re going to bed > And my stomach is sick > And it’s all in my head > > But she’s touching his…chest now > He takes off her dress now > Letting me go" > > It’s not as clear when typed out but when you hear it for the first time you don’t think he will say “chest”. Yeah, I’ve always wondered if it was just me, as that line and the implied ending is just so jarring to me and takes me out of that song. Really makes me cringe. ---
**Author:** ![boozilu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@boozilu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boozilu)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475/20 "2014-05-28T19:25:55Z")
And the ever popular Miss Lucy had a Steamboat . . . Miss Lucy had a steamboat The steamboat had a bell Miss Lucy went to heaven and The steamboat went to Hello operator, Give me number 9 And if you disconnect me I will kick you from Behind the refrigerator, There laid a piece of glass Miss Lucy slipped and fell on it And hurt her little Ask me no more questions, Tell me no more lies, The boys are in the bathroom, Zipping up their Flies are in the meadow Wikipedia has several regional versions. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss\_Susie\_had\_a\_steamboat](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Susie_had_a_steamboat) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-fake-out-rhyme-lyric/689475.md?page=2)