# Worst misunderstanding of lyrics ever **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 8, 2007, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957 "2007-10-08T17:19:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paladud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Paladud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paladud)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/1 "2007-10-08T17:19:38Z")
When I first came across Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android,” I heard the pre-last part as: “Rain down, rain down, Come on, rain down on me… From a greyhound… From a greyhound…” Since I saw this on YouTube with the crazy music video, I had no particular reason to question this interpretation. Alas, looking up the lyrics has dispelled my belief that Thom Yorke desired to be peed on by a dog. Share yours 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/2 "2007-10-08T17:25:35Z")
Don’t keep us folks who are ignorant of the song in suspense. When you do this sort of thing, post the REAL lyrics as well. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/3 "2007-10-08T17:35:25Z")
Posted before, but what the hey… Stevie Nicks, _Edge of Seventeen_. Real lyrics: > [@](#): > > Just like the white-winged dove… What I sang for more than 20 years: > [@](#): > > Just like the one-winged dove… Mine is better. And I still think that Elton John sings “Should’ve they” in _Someone Saved my Life Tonight_. “Sugar Bear” is just so… wrong. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/4 "2007-10-08T17:43:29Z")
He really was singing “Sugar bear”? I was hoping I’d misheard that one. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/5 "2007-10-08T18:16:20Z")
When I was at University that Kenny Rogers song, You Picked A Fine Time To Leave Me Lucille, was everywhere on the radio. I had a Chinese roommate who was especially enamoured of country music. She’s just break out in song at the most unlikely moments! She would sing; “You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille, With 400 kids and a crop in the field!” Lyric should be; “You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille, With 4 hungry kids and a crop in the field.” And, of course, we never let her forget it! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/6 "2007-10-08T18:20:14Z")
I’ve mentioned it before, but the most over-the-top one came from Mom: Real lyric: Good love is hard to find (Tom Petty) Mom’s lyric: Silly-willy love is hard to find ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/7 "2007-10-08T18:43:36Z")
My all-time favorite was from a guy I went to college with. Real lyric to _Roadhouse Blues_ (The Doors) - “… woke up this morning and I got myself a beer” College guy’s lyric: “… woke up this morning and I got myself **some veal** ” Of course, now I always sing “some veal” when I hear the song, in my mind I just picture this ultra-decadent lifestyle where you get up in the morning and breakfast on osso buco or saltimbocca. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/8 "2007-10-08T18:46:09Z")
[QUOTE=elbows] When I was at University that Kenny Rogers song, You Picked A Fine Time To Leave Me Lucille, was everywhere on the radio. You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille, With 400 kids and a crop in the field!" [/QUOTE] I’ve had some bad times and lived through some sad times. But this time you’re hurting one heel." Since you admit to being a heel, that’s probably why she’s leaving you. The real lyric is “This time your hurting won’t heal.” ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/9 "2007-10-08T18:54:12Z")
[QUOTE=JohnT] Posted before, but what the hey… Stevie Nicks, _Edge of Seventeen_. Real lyrics: What I sang for more than 20 years: Mine is better. And I still think that Elton John sings “Should’ve they” in _Someone Saved my Life Tonight_. “Sugar Bear” is just so… wrong. 😉 [/QUOTE] “The white-winged dove”? That’s terrible. I’ve been singing “Just like the wild wind does” my entire life…which is clearly the superior lyric. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/10 "2007-10-08T19:11:38Z")
Then there’s that kinky naughty song “Sway” — Other dancers may pee on the floor, But my eyes will see only you ---
**Author:** ![Paladud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Paladud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paladud)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/11 "2007-10-08T19:18:59Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] Don’t keep us folks who are ignorant of the song in suspense. When you do this sort of thing, post the REAL lyrics as well. [/QUOTE] Er, sorry. It was meant to be “From a great height.” ---
**Author:** ![Shryn\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Shryn\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shryn_King)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/12 "2007-10-08T22:04:22Z")
[QUOTE=Ogre] “The white-winged dove”? That’s terrible. I’ve been singing “Just like the wild wind does” my entire life…which is clearly the superior lyric. 🙂 [/QUOTE] That’s ok…I’ve been singing “Just like the wide winged dove” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/13 "2007-10-08T22:06:32Z")
My multi-year interpretation of a great Beatles song lyrics: “Take the back right turn”. The actual Beatles song lyrics: “Paperback writer”. ---
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2007, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/14 "2007-10-08T22:09:36Z")
Just as a public service announcement to one of my favorite words, these little misunderstandings are called [“mondegreens.”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mondegreen) ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/15 "2007-10-09T00:09:58Z")
For adifferent sort of misunderstanding, there’s Police’s [Every Breath You Take](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/police/every+breath+you+take_20110051.html), which is seen as a love song but is actually about a stalker. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/16 "2007-10-09T02:02:08Z")
[QUOTE=Quartz] For adifferent sort of misunderstanding, there’s Police’s [Every Breath You Take](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/police/every+breath+you+take_20110051.html), which is seen as a love song but is actually about a stalker. [/QUOTE] The same with **REM** ’s _This One Goes Out To The One I Love_, apparently they used to get people telling them how they fell in love to this rather creepy song about cold blooded murder. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/17 "2007-10-09T02:15:13Z")
[QUOTE=my best friend] And I said, ‘‘What about Breakfast at Tiffany’s?’’ She said, ‘‘I think I remember the bill line As I recall we both got two counts on hygiene.’’ And I said, ‘‘Well that’s one thing we’ve got.’’ [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=actual song ‘‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’’] And I said, ''What about Breakfast at Tiffany’s?" She said, ‘‘I think I remember the film line As I recall I think we both kind of like it.’’ And I said, ‘‘Well, that’s one thing we’ve got.’’ [/QUOTE] The most hilarious thing about her is she will argue with you vehemently that she has the lyrics right. And she never fails to be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/18 "2007-10-09T03:34:51Z")
A pet peeve of mine is artists who cover a song but get the lyrics wrong. A couple of examples: Creedence Clearwater Revival sings I Heard It Throught the Grapevine as: _People say that you hide from what you see Na na na from what you hear_ when the correct lyric is: _People say believe half of what you see Son, and none of what you hear_ And Elvis screws up Long Tall Sally by singing: \*Long tall Sally she’s – built sweet \* When the original lyric was _Long Tall Sally she’s – built for speed_ ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/19 "2007-10-09T03:45:04Z")
[QUOTE=delphica] …_Roadhouse Blues_ (The Doors)… [/QUOTE] This reminds me of one. I had a girlfriend from LA a few years back. I went to visit her there once, and to be cute, I broke out singing L.A. Woman while we were hanging out in a park. She got all (mock) offended because she thought the Doors lyric said “L.A. woman’s gonna have to do” (when in fact it’s “L.A. woman, Sunday afternoon”). (Funnily enough, I used to mishear the lyric exactly the same way before it dawned on me what Morrison was actually saying.) ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957/20 "2007-10-09T04:24:48Z")
_Hard to Handle_ by **The Black Crowes** has probably generated enough misheard lyrics to write a book on the subject. I finally figured out what the real lyrics were by googling “lemon lime chicano” (real lyric: let me light your candle) and found [this](http://www.amiright.com/misheard/artist/blackcrowes.shtml) page. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-misunderstanding-of-lyrics-ever/421957.md?page=2)