# Songs you sing along with... but don't actually know the words to **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [October 11, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671 "2024-10-11T21:24:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/1 "2024-10-11T21:24:11Z")
My wife and I were sitting around the other day and Wooly Bully came on and I started singing along. She asked, ‘what’s that song about’. I admitted I didn’t know. And she said, ‘but you were just singing it!’. So I tried to work it out… _“Had a gold Caddie, with a sling see-saw…”_ Nope, I don’t know the words. But I belt it out anyway. There are other songs I sing along with but don’t actually know the words to. I’m usually surprised to learn what they are actually saying. For example, the words to Wooly Bully (I now know) are: _Matty told Hatty, About a thing she saw_ _Had two big horns, And a wooly jaw_ _Wooly bully Wooly bully_ _Hatty told Matty, Let’s don’t take no chance_ _Let’s not be L-seven, Come and learn to dance_ L7, I’m assuming is a square? Anyway, I’m not really talking about mis-heard lyrics (Kiss the sky, kiss this guy), I’m more thinking along the lines of songs you’ve just never bothered to listen to that close to but can’t help singing along with. Anyone else do this? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/2 "2024-10-11T22:04:56Z")
(I love “Wooly Bully”, especially the count-in) The one for me is “Barbara Ann”: _Tried Peggy Sue Tried Betty Lou Tried Mary Lou But I knew she wouldn’t do_ I’m not even sure those are the correct lyrics above since The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean can’t even agree. When I sing along I get every combination of Peggy, Betty, Mary, Cindy, Suzy, and Lou, Sue, Q, Wu, etc imaginable. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/3 "2024-10-11T22:11:35Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > L7, I’m assuming is a square? Yep. I’ve also been told that in New York state, it used to be an education shorthand for “mentally/developmentally challenged” in today’s parlance. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/4 "2024-10-11T22:54:03Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > When I sing along I get every combination of Peggy, Betty, Mary, Cindy, Suzy, and Lou, Sue, Q, Wu, etc imaginable. Ha ha, that’s funny. Same with me on Barbra Ann. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/5 "2024-10-11T22:57:26Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Yep. I’ve also been told that in New York state, it used to be an education shorthand for “mentally/developmentally challenged” in today’s parlance. Interesting. Googling, AI says: " A “square” is a slang term for someone who is conventional, old-fashioned, or out of touch with modern trends and culture. It can also imply that the person is not open to new experiences or is overly concerned with following rules or social norms. The term originated in the American jazz community in the 1940s to describe people who were out of touch with musical trends. However, the term “square” has had older, more positive meanings, dating back to the 16th century, to describe someone or something that is honest and upstanding." ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/6 "2024-10-11T23:35:14Z")
I think _[Louie Louie](https://youtu.be/CfRZNNyQoF0?si=Pdcg3Hft2I_ksAsK)_ has got to be in the top five. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2024, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/7 "2024-10-11T23:55:34Z")
Pearls Before Swine captured the typical experience of singing the verses to REM’s “It’s The End of the World As We Know It” [![](https://i.imgur.com/DhKUQ2k.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/DhKUQ2k.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/8 "2024-10-12T00:33:53Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > REM’s “It’s The End of the World As We Know It” That’s a good one. Every tenth time I sing it in the car, I manage to go into a weird fugue state and absolutely nail it, but never in front of an audience, oddly enough. Coincidentally, I’m sitting in a pub waiting on takeout, and it’s karaoke night. There were just a couple little girls that sang a Taylor Swift song that was really cute. I texted my wife, and she said I should ask to sing “Black Betty”, which I think absolutely qualifies for the OP, even for the actual band that sang it originally! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/9 "2024-10-12T00:50:58Z")
Here’s how old I am: I saw Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs in concert at the NG Armory in Anchorage in the 60s. And yeah, they sang “Wooley Bully”. I’d say “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is one I never knew the lyrics for. “Yeah we’re stupid and contagious” is about as far as I got. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/10 "2024-10-12T00:56:58Z")
Have you heard [“Weird Al”](https://youtu.be/EoiJtO6ZbKA?si=L7asN4W3DxWkdoQv) do it? His entire song is about how no one can understand the Nirvana version. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/11 "2024-10-12T14:32:11Z")
Well, there’s Born To Run, but half the fun is _intentionally_ mumbling the words, so it doesn’t really matter what the actual lyrics are. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/12 "2024-10-12T18:10:37Z")
Any Stevie Nicks song. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/R6B6CyZHnZU/hqdefault.jpg "Stevie Nicks--"What the Hell is She Saying?"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6B6CyZHnZU) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/13 "2024-10-12T18:12:24Z")
The Numa Numa song. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Cqd1Gvq-RBY/maxresdefault.jpg "Numa Numa") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqd1Gvq-RBY) Maaya Heeee. Maya hoooo. Mayaa haaa. Maya Ha. Ha. ---
**Author:** ![SpinyNorma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@SpinyNorma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpinyNorma)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/14 "2024-10-13T00:23:29Z")
Pretty much any Elton John song, particularly from the 70’s going into the 80’s which are my favorites. I think I know the words until I try to sing along and then realize there are large segments I just have to mumble my way through. ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/15 "2024-10-13T01:07:27Z")
Another to add is Sweet Caroline (bum bum bum). ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/16 "2024-10-13T01:33:51Z")
> [@pirviii](#): > > Sweet Caroline I learned the lyrics to Sweet Caroline so I could perform it in a lip-sync competition. I have since forgotten the lyrics, even when I sing along when I hear the song on Sirius. I always sing along with ‘Bennie and the Jets’, but have no idea what the lyrics are until the chorus comes along. (Buh buh buh Bennie and the Jets…) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/17 "2024-10-14T19:09:28Z")
> [@SpinyNorma](#): > > Pretty much any Elton John song, particularly from the 70’s going into the 80’s which are my favorites. I think I know the words until I try to sing along and then realize there are large segments I just have to mumble my way through. Yup. Got to agree. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/18 "2024-10-14T19:13:17Z")
Not unlike the [Ankh-Morpork Civic Anthem.](https://wiki.lspace.org/We_Can_Rule_You_Wholesale) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/19 "2024-10-14T19:59:33Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Maaya Heeee. Maya hoooo. Mayaa haaa. Maya Ha. Ha. Hey, I’d say you nailed it! (So glad they don’t play That Numa Numa Song on the radio. If it came on while I was driving, I’d have to do the arm movements… and crash.) I’m constantly googling song lyrics because I often realize I’ve been singing a song for decades with one or two lines a mystery (Brown Eyed Girl: “Goin’ down the old mine/with a transistor radio?” Why the HELL would you take the girl you have a crush on down a mine?)… hmm, I’d better get googling. But I swear EVERY song from the '70s is like that for me. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2024, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671/20 "2024-10-14T21:57:05Z")
> [@digs](#): > > (Brown Eyed Girl: “Goin’ down the old mine/with a transistor radio?” Why the HELL would you take the girl you have a crush on down a mine?) Part of the problem for me is I don’t question, I just sing what I think I hear. For the next line to Brown Eyed Girl I always sang, “Standing in the sunlight **lamp** Hiding behind a rainbow’s wall…” Makes no sense, but somehow I never questioned it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-sing-along-with-but-dont-actually-know-the-words-to/1008671.md?page=2)