# Songs where the different choruses have a slight change of lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 17, 2012, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965 "2012-09-17T13:54:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/81 "2014-02-05T06:42:30Z")
“Cat’s In the Cradle” (Harry Chapin) segues from: _When you coming home, Dad? I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, son, you know we’ll have a good time then!_ to: _When you coming home, son? I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then, Dad, you know we’ll have a good time then!_ “Dani California” (Red Hot Chili Peppers) has a chorus that doesn’t change, but the phrase “simultaneous release” has a slightly different meaning each time it occurs: Sexual release, release from prison, and a suicide pact that the narrator chickened out of. ---
**Author:** ![eulalia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eulalia/32/457_2.png) [@eulalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eulalia)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/82 "2014-02-05T10:01:04Z")
Another from the Police, “Wrapped Around Your Finger”. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/83 "2014-02-07T06:45:42Z")
You are in a twisty little maze of passages. You are in a little maze of twisting passages. You are in a maze of twisting little passages. You are in a little twisting maze of passages. You are in a twisting maze of little passages. You are in a maze of little twisty passages. ---
**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:** [February 22, 2014, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/84 "2014-02-22T20:36:35Z")
No Time At All from Pippin, sung by Pippin’s Granny (and Irene Ryan, Granny from The Beverly Hillbillies, originated the role on Broadway). First two verses have a chorus: Oh, it’s time to start living. Time to take a little from this world we’re given. Time to take time, for spring will turn to fall In just no time at all. Last verse: Oh, it’s time to start living. Time to take a little from this world we’re given. You are my time, so I’ll throw off my shawl. And watching your flings being flung all over Makes me feel young all over In just no time at all. ---
**Author:** ![vontsira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/51bf81/32.png) [@vontsira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vontsira)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/85 "2014-02-23T02:06:43Z")
Not yet mentioned in this thread, unless I’ve missed it; so, a crossover from another current thread in Cafe Society, “Well-known songs that many people have never heard”, which mentions “passim”, the song _The Band Played Waltzing Matilda_. A song which I love, but an extremely sad and depressing one – basically about Australia and World War I. The chorus starts in each case, with "And the band played / plays ‘Waltzing Matilda’ " – followed by three lines, always variously, of something horrific, distressing, or both. ---
**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:** [February 23, 2014, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/86 "2014-02-23T13:06:19Z")
Barry Manilow’s A Linda Song: but he never wrote a song for Linda and she was right there all alone loved him back to life when his luck ran low but he never wrote a Linda song and he never wrote a song for Linda and she was right there all alone the one real thing in his crazy world and he never wrote a Linda song he’ll never write a song for Linda and she was right there all alone oh he knows,is no one understands and he never wrote a Linda song no he never wrote a Linda song Play Song ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2014, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/87 "2014-02-23T13:29:41Z")
In “Adam’s Song” by Blink 182, the chorus the first two times goes: I never conquered, rarely came 16 just held such better days Days when I still felt alive We couldn’t wait to get outside The world was wide, too late to try The tour was over we’d survived I couldn’t wait till I got home To pass the time in my room alone The last time, it becomes: I never conquered, rarely came But tomorrow holds such better days Days when I can still feel alive When I can’t wait to get outside The world is wide, the time goes by The tour is over, I’ve survived I can’t wait till I get home To pass the time in my room alone ---
**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:** [March 25, 2014, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/88 "2014-03-25T13:42:56Z")
Roger Miller’s Little Green Apples: ## And if that’s not loving me, then all i’ve got to say, God didn’t make the little green apples, and it don’t rain in indianapolis in the summer time. And there’s no such thing as dr. seuss or disney land and mother goose, no nursery rhymes. God didn’t make the little green apples, and it don’t rain in indianapolis in the summer time. And when myself is feeling low, i think about her face and go and ease my mind. And if that ain’t loving me, then all i’ve got to say, God didn’t make the little green apples, and it don’t snow in minneapolis when the winter comes. And there’s no such thing as make-believe, puppy dogs or autumn leaves, no bb guns. God didn’t make the little green apples, and it don’t snow in minneapolis when the winter comes. ---
**Author:** ![DirkGntly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/89 "2014-03-25T15:51:26Z")
The Three Bells, by The Browns… All the chapel bells were ringing…etc. …and the song that they were singing was for baby Jimmy Brown All the chapel bells… …was a great day in his life, and the song that they were singing was for Jimmy and his wife Just one chapel bell was ringing… …and the song that it was singing was goodbye to Jimmy Brown ---
**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:** [March 27, 2014, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/90 "2014-03-27T13:48:05Z")
What about Barry Manilows Copacabana? At the copa (CO!) Copacabana (Copacabana) The hottest spot north of Havana (here) At the copa (CO!) Copacabana Music and passion were always in fashion At the copa… they fell in love At the copa (CO!) Copacabana (Copacabana) The hottest spot north of Havana (here) At the copa (CO!) Copacabana Music and passion were always in fashion At the copa… she lost her love. At the copa (CO!) Copacabana (Copacabana) The hottest spot north of Havana (here) At the copa (CO!) Copacabana Music and passion were always in fashion At the copa… don’t fall in love. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/91 "2014-04-03T13:32:04Z")
**Sk8ter Boi** - Avril Lavigne (what?) He was a sk8ter boi, she said, “See ya later boy” He wasn’t good enough for her She had a pretty face but her head was up in space She needed to come back down to earth He was a sk8ter boi, she said, “See ya later boy” He wasn’t good enough for her Now he’s a superstar, slamin’ on his guitar Does your pretty face see what he’s worth? I’m with the sk8ter boi, I said, “See ya later boy” I’ll be backstage after the show I’ll be at his studio, singing the song we wrote About a girl you used to know (ok you can stop laughing now) ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/92 "2014-04-03T19:35:12Z")
“I Saw Her Standing There” uses that kind of variation in the choruses: So how could I dance with another When I saw her standing there She wouldn’t dance with another Since I saw her standing there Now I’ll never dance with another Since I saw her standing there (John Lennon could never keep these straight and a few takes were binned because he sang the wrong words.) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/93 "2014-04-03T21:55:47Z")
Wow, no one has mentioned George Harrison’s _My Sweet Lord_: \*I’d like to show You, Lord (Hallelujah) And it won’t take long, my Lord (Hallelujah) My, my, my Lord (Hallelujah) My sweet Lord (Hallelujah) Ooh hoo hmm (Hallelujah) Hare Krishna Hare Rama Hallelujah Hare Hare Gurur Brahma Gurur Devo Maheshwara Gurur Sakshaat Tasmayi Shree Guruve Namah Hare Rama \* That is like the mother of all shifting lyrics songs. But I guess the whole song might be considered one big chorus. ---
**Author:** ![Pazu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pazu/32/15522_2.png) [@Pazu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pazu)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/94 "2014-04-03T22:26:32Z")
Given its popularity, I’m surprised no one’s mentioned “Let It Go” from _Frozen_, although I suppose the choruses have more than a slight change of lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/95 "2014-04-03T23:08:42Z")
Bruce Springsteen - “Dancing in the Dark” “You can’t start a fire You can’t start a fire without a spark This gun’s for hire even if we’re just dancing in the dark” “You can’t start a fire sitting 'round crying over a broken heart This gun’s for hire Even if we’re just dancing in the dark You can’t start a fire worrying about your little world falling apart This gun’s for hire Even if we’re just dancing in the dark” ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/96 "2014-04-04T17:43:48Z")
Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young’s “Teach your Children” changes from: “Teach your children well” to “Teach your parents well.” Sugarland’s “Baby Girl” changes from: “Dear Mom and Dad, Please send money. I’m so broke that it ain’t funny.” to: “Dear Mom and Dad, I’ll send money. I’m so rich that it ain’t funny.” ---
**Author:** ![scotthart9000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@scotthart9000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotthart9000)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2015, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/97 "2015-12-31T05:57:59Z")
First two choruses: You know it’s all beginning, It’s all beginning, To feel like it’s ending, There’s no love as random, As God’s love, I can’t stand it, I can’t stand it! Crushingly, the third / last chorus changes to: You know it’s all beginning, It’s all beginning, To feel like PRETENDING, There’s no love as random, As MY love, I can’t stand it, I can’t stand it! Damn you Tweedy!!! Sorry so late to this party, just listened to Summer Teeth for the first time in over a decade and wanted to add it (if it’s not already included)… ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2015, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/98 "2015-12-31T07:21:20Z")
The absolute champion in this category is [“The Devil Glitch”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10SnNfxjAI8) by Waitresses founder Chris Carter. The chorus of the “short”, five-minute version is built around a series of couplets, each slightly different from each other: \*Sometimes you can fix something by just being a prick Winning by intimidation… Sometimes you can fix something by just lifting your skirt It’s the ultimate distraction… Sometimes you can fix something by just kissing some ass If you don’t mind humiliation… Sometimes you can fix something by just smoking a pipe Academic contemplation…\* The longer version of the song adds over 500 couplets, each slightly different, for a running time of just under sixty-nine minutes. It was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s longest pop song for a while, though the category’s been discontinued. Text of the full lyrics are [here.](http://www.futurefossilmusic.com/glitch.htm) I’ve never managed to listen to the entire thing. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2016, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/99 "2016-01-09T15:29:48Z")
“Winds of the Old Days,” Joan Baez’s tribute to Bob Dylan: 1st two verses have the chorus: And take me down to the harbor now Grapes of the summer are low on the bough Ghosts of my history will follow me there And the winds of the old days will blow through my hair Last verse: And get you down to the harbor now Most of the sour grapes are gone from the bough Ghosts of Johanna will visit you there And the winds of the old days will blow through your hair ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965/100 "2016-01-21T02:24:31Z")
“Brand New Day”- Sting: hy don’t we turn the clock to zero honey I’ll sell the stock we’ll spend all the money We’re starting up a brand new day Turn the clock all the way back I wonder if she’ll take me back I’m thinking in a brand new way Turn the clock to zero sister You’ll never know how much I missed her I’m starting up a brand new day Turn the clock to zero boss The rivers wide we’ll swim across We’re starting up a brand new day Turn the clock to zero honey I’ll sell the stock we’ll spend all the money We’re starting up a brand new day Turn the clock to zero Mac I’m begging her to take me back I’m thinking in a brand new way Turn the clock to zero boss The river’s wide we’ll swim across We’re starting up a brand new day Turn the clock to zero buddy Don’t wanna be no fuddy duddy We’re Starting up a brand new da [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-different-choruses-have-a-slight-change-of-lyrics/634965.md?page=6)