The 10 Most Misquoted Lyrics
You’re out with some friends and your favorite tune comes on. You start singing along. You’re feeling it. Your falsetto is on par with Freddy Mercury. You are a golden god. And then it happens. You sing the wrong lyric.
Hey, it’s OK. Don’t feel bad, it happens to everyone. And, depending on the song, it may happen more often than not. To prove our point, we’ve gathered some of the most famously botched lyrics in music history. Take a look at our picks below!
Is the Yellow Man Related to the Yellow King?
“Piano Man” by Billy Joel
What people hear: “Sing us a song for the yellow man”
Actual lyrics: “Sing us a song, you’re the piano man”
Didn’t Know Jimi Was So Progressive
“Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix
What people hear: “Scuse me while I kiss this guy”
Actual lyrics: “Scuse me while I kiss the sky”
We Hear Asheville’s Nice This Time of Year
“Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses
What people hear: “Take me down to a very nice city”
Actual lyrics: “Take me down to the Paradise City.”
We Demand a Refund!
“Two Tickets to Paradise” by Eddie Money
What people hear: “I’ve got two chickens to paralyze”
Actual lyrics: “I’ve got two tickets to paradise”
Sounds Delicious
“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly
What people hear: “In a glob of Velveeta, honey”
Actual lyrics: “In-A-Gadda Da Vida”
Wrapped Up Like a What?
“Blinded By the Light” by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
What people hear: “Blinded by the light … wrapped up like a douche when you’re rollin’ in the night”
Actual lyrics: “Blinded by the light, revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night”
Hey, Strummer! Leave That Cat Alone!
“Rock the Casbah” by The Clash
What people hear: “Rock the cat box”
Actual lyrics: “Rock the Casbah”
Just How Tiny is Tony?
“Tiny Dancer” by Elton John
What people hear: “Hold me closer Tony Danza”
Actual lyrics: “Hold me closer tiny dancer”
She Seems Happier When You’re Not Around
“I Try” by Macy Gray
What people hear: “I blow bubbles when you are not here”
Actual lyrics: “My world crumbles when you are not near”
Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands!
“Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
What people hear: “There’s a bathroom on the right”
Actual lyrics: “There’s a bad moon rising”
Did we leave any songs off this list? What’s your favorite misquoted lyric? Leave your picks in the comments below.
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