Sometimes when you first listen to a song without having read the lyrics, you might think you're hearing something totally different than what the artist is actually saying. Don't worry, that is common in any language. It's called a "mondegreen." Take a look at what some people thought they heard. If you have any mondegreens from any songs that are featured on this website, please send them in an e-mail.
Song: A.D. 1928
Actual lyric: As sure as dogs can fly
Misheard as: As sure as stars can fly
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: All In A Day's Work
Actual lyric: Dearest Ruby, hope you reach your star
Misheard as: Dearest you'll be home to reach your star
Song: Babe
Actual lyric: The love, the need, your tears
Misheard as: The love beneath your tears
Song: Best Thing
Actual lyric: All the riches I have taken from you every night
Misheard as: Wanna reach inside and take it from you every night
Misheard as: The moments of desire taken from you every night
Song: Blue Collar Man
Actual lyric: Give me a job, give me security
Misheard as: Give me a job, give me some purity
(Thanks to Brendan Cotter)
Actual lyric: My mother and father, my wife and my friends
Misheard as: My mother and my father whined to my friends
(Thanks to hodgyis@rogers.com)
Actual lyric: I'm not a charity case
Misheard as: I'm not sure I really care
(Thanks to Litestar)
Actual lyric: I'll take those long nights, impossible odds
Misheard as: I'll take those long nights in Barcelona
Misheard as: I'll take those long nights impossible hours
(Thanks to rst2003)
Actual lyric: Keeping my back to the walls
Misheard as: Keeping my back to the war
(Thanks to Dragon2k)
Actual lyric: If it takes all that to be what I am
Misheard as: If it takes all night to be what I am
(Thanks to Dragon2k)
Actual lyric: I'm gonna be a blue collar man
Misheard as: I'd rather be a blue collar man
(Thanks to Dragon2k)
Actual lyric: I'm just a poor soul in the unemployment line
Misheard as: I'm just a parcel in the unemployment line
(Thanks to Melani Cowell)
Actual lyric: This is my last time in the unenployment line
Misheard as: This is the last time in the unenployment line
(Thanks to Dragon2k)
Actual lyric: Where happiness is only a heartbeat away
Misheard as: When happiness is only a heartbeat away
(Thanks to Dragon2k)
Actual lyric: Keeping my mind on a better life
Misheard as: Keeping my mind out of bed alive
(Thanks to Mike Tootill)
Song: Borrowed Time
Actual lyric: My friend we never thought about the world and it's realities
Misheard as: I prayed we never thought about the weather and it's realities 
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: Brave New World
Actual lyric: On the distant horizon The sun approaches
Misheard as: On the distant horizon The storm approaches
(Thanks to Jose Colin Prat)
Actual lyric: Better cover my eyes, better hide the roaches
Misheard as: Better cover my eyes, better hide the roses
(Thanks to Mike51)
Song: Castle Walls
Actual lyric: So afraid I lost my soul
Misheard as: So I pray I lost my soul
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: Come Sail Away
Actual lyric: Set an open course for the virgin sea
Misheard as: Set an open course for emergency
Misheard as: Set an open course for the birds in sea
(Thanks to Litestar)
Misheard as: Set an open course full of urgency
(Thanks to Jason)
Actual lyric: On board, I'm the captian, so climb aboard
Misheard as: I'm bored, I'm the captian, so climb aboard
(Thanks to starfyredragons@hotmail.com)
Actual lyric: But somehow we missed out on the pot of gold
Misheard as: But somehow we missed out on that parted road
(Thanks to Litestar)
Actual lyric: A gathering of angels appeared above my head
Misheard as: A gathering of angels, I'm in above my head
(Thanks to Danny Nease)
Misheard as: But somehow we missed out on the part that grows
Misheard as: But somehow we missed out and we lost our clothes
(Thanks to Jenn
Actual lyric: I thought that they were angels, but to my surprise
Misheard as: I thought that they were injured, but to my surprise
(Thanks to mario@waltarimoon.de)
Actual lyric: They climbed aboard their starship and headed for the skies
Misheard as: They climbed aboard that starship Enterprise
Song: Earl Of Roseland
Actual lyric: Ooh, the Earl of Roseland
Misheard as: Ooh, the yellow clothesline
(Thanks to Jenn
Actual lyric: Fast finger steals what he can
Misheard as: Bat slinger steals what he can
Misheard as: Best vicar steals what he can
(Thanks to Marc-David Jacobs
Actual lyric: Below the electrical sign
Misheard as: Big old electrical sign
(Thanks to Marc-David Jacobs
Song: Eddie
Actual lyric: First in the eighties but last of the sons
Misheard as: First in the eighties but last in the sun
Song: Fallen Angel
Actual lyric: No saint, no Pope, no King no Queen
Misheard as: No Satan, Pope, no King no Queen
(Thanks to Litestar)
Actual lyric: Not Einstein or Elvis or Lennon and Marx or Marilyn Monroe
Misheard as: Not Einstein or Elvis or Lennon are larks or Marilyn Monroe
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: Fooling Yourself
Actual lyric: Relax - take it easy
Misheard as: Let's cruise
Actual lyric: You see the world through your cynical eyes, you're a troubled young man I can tell
Misheard as: You see the world through your cynical eyes, you're a traveling man I can tell
Misheard as: You see the world through your silly cruel eyes, you're a troubled young man I can tell
(Thanks to laserprtr)
Song: Great White Hope
Actual lyric: And I know that some of you out there might wanna see the champ get beat
Misheard as: And I know that some of you out there might want to scream and stamp your feet
(Thanks to Larry Erbe)
Song: Half Penny, Two Penny
Actual lyric: Yes, Mrs. Cleaver your son's home to stay
Misheard as: Yes, Mrs. Cleaver your son's on the stage
(Thanks to Henson1985)
Song: Heavy Metal Poisoning
Actual lyric: Righteous! Righteous! Righteous! Righteous! Righteous! Yeah!
Misheard as: Marches! Marches! Marches! Marches! Marches! Yeah!
(Thanks to Dragon2k
Song: I'm OK
Actual lyric: Eight, skate, seven on the rotate
Misheard as: Eight, skate, center enter rotate
(Thanks to Joe Ferry)
Misheard as: Eight, skate, sit around and rotate
(Thanks to Yoetsu Taguchi)
Misheard as: Eight, skate, sit on it and rotate
(Thanks to Susan Korosy)
Misheard as: Hey, hey, suck another milkshake
(Thanks to ImLiteMan)
Song: Jonas Psalter
Actual lyric: Tortuga held the treasures of a thousand kings
Misheard as: Paducah held the treasures of a thousand kings
Actual lyric: Everyone could hear the minstrel play
Misheard as: Everyone could hear the menstrual pain
(Thanks to Litestar
Song: Lady
Actual lyric: Just touch me and my troubles all fade
Misheard as: Just touch me and my troubles abate
(Thanks to Brendan Cotter)
Misheard as: Just touch me and my troubles obey
(Thanks to Brendan Cotter)
Misheard as: Just touch me, and my troubles are vague
(Thanks to Jeff@cyberteclodi.com)
Song: Lady
Actual lyric: Lady of the morning
Misheard as: Lady, mother warned me (img src="images/new.gif">
(Thanks to LiNT@bodragaz.com)
Song: Lights
Actual lyrics: You seem afraid it won't last
Misheard as: You see the parade it won't last
Actual lyrics: Won't you let me play
Misheard as: Won't you let me fade
Actual lyrics: Illuminate me, carry me away, carry me, carry me
Misheard as: Illuminate me, giving me away, marry me, bury me
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: Love Is The Ritual
Actual lyric: Love is the ritual
Misheard as: Love isn't grinchable
Misheard as: Love is habitual
Misheard as: Love is a bitch, you ho
(Thanks to Ali
Misheard as: Love is original
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: Lorelei
Actual lyric: Her eyes become of Paradise
Misheard as: Her eyes become a pair of dice
(Thanks to PumpkinJack13)
Song: Madamoiselle
Actual lyric: To London or Paris ou Montreal
Misheard as: To London or Paris, rue Marielle
Apparently the lyric sheets in some Canadian copies of Crystal Ball included the misheard lyric as well!
Song: Miss America
Actual lyric: As you cut the ribbon at the local mall
Misheard as: As you cut the ribbon at the local morgue
(Thanks to dnlbarg@qwest.net)
Actual lyric: A mirage for both you and us. How can it be real?
Misheard as: The pride of both you and us. How can it be real?
(Thanks to WitsEnd)
Misheard as: A barrage of both you and us
(Thanks to Litestar)
Actual lyrics: Won't you, Miss America
Misheard as: What happened to you, Miss America
(Thanks to Litestar)
Actual lyric: Your home state sure must be proud
Misheard as: Your home station must be brown
(Thanks to Litestar)
Actual lyric: Well aren't you Miss America?
Misheard as: F*** you, Miss America!
(Thanks to DeaconSpeakin)
Song: Mr. Roboto
Actual lyric: Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto
Misheard as: Don't know what he gotto, Mr. Roboto
(Thanks to Jim Ault
Misheard as: Double all you got for Mr. Roboto
Misheard as: Eh-sey-ga-to Monster eh-gano
Misheard as: Don't go horry gotto, Mr. Roboto
(Thanks to Joel Scheuer
Misheard as: Don't nobody got no Mr Roboto
(Thanks to silvergirl64
Misheard as: Dubboe Whatty Got Toe Mr. Robot Toe
(Thanks to Andy Raygam)
Misheard as: Ibby Ibby Osto Mr. Roboto
(Thanks to kshirley)
Actual lyric: Himitsu wu shiri tai
Misheard as: He eats too much at a time
(Thanks to Michelle Simpkin
Misheard as: He eats you once you retire
(Thanks to ZekeJunior
Misheard as: He gives you what you desire
(Thanks to silvergirl64
Misheard as: Itsu No Hinika
(Thanks to Yumiko
Actual lyric: Machine or mannequin
Misheard as: Machine or big tin can
(Thanks to V. M. Toumbes)
Misheard as: Mascene or mannequin
(Thanks to Dragon2k)
Misheard as: Machine-o-matic man
(Thanks to Roseybugg@aol.com
Actual lyric: For doing the jobs that nobody wants to
Misheard as: For doing the ha that nobody wants to
(Thanks to Dragon2k)
Actual lyric: Machines dehumanize
Misheard as: Machines for human eyes
(Thanks to Andrew F.)
Actual lyrics: I'm Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy!
Misheard as: Kill Roy! Kill Roy! Kill Roy!
(Thanks to K.C.)
Song: Music Time
Actual lyrics: I like hot licks
Misheard as: I like hot legs
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: Nothing Ever Goes As Planned
Actual lyric: Dago shoes in the colors that match
Misheard as: Day-glow shoes in the colors that match
Actual lyric: Been doing the same damn job, ten long years this May
Misheard as: Been doing the same damn job, ten long years, dismay
Actual lyric: You've been working and saving for your Jamaican dream
Misheard as: You've been working and sailing for your Jamaican dream
(Thanks to Litestar)
Actual lyric: Even pharoahs turn to sand
Misheard as: Even sparrows turn to sand
(Thanks to Elli Long
Song: Not Dead Yet
Actual lyric: I'm a mad dog fighting with the wall against my back
Misheard as: I'm a mad dog fighting with the world against my back
Actual lyric: Shot by a firing squad and raped by a business suit
Misheard as: Shot by a pirate's gun and raped by a business suit
Actual lyric: Take your bare hands baby rip out my eyes
Misheard as: Take off your hat baby rip out my eyes
Actual lyric: And the hangman is hangin', if I autograph the noose
Misheard as: And the hangman is hangin' with my autographed noose
Actual lyric: Give me half a chance 'cause I'm not dead yet
Misheard as: Give me every chance 'cause I'm not dead yet
(Thanks to Brett Vice
Actual lyric: Someday he's gonna get me but I'm not dead yet
Misheard as: Daddy's gonna get me but I'm not dead yet
(Thanks to Litestar)
Actual lyric: There's a mugger in the alley, there's a sniper in the hall
Misheard as: There's a mother in the alley, there's a snapper in the hall
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: Renegade
Actual lyric: Oh mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Misheard as: Oh mama, I'm in fear for my life from law, I'm of the law
(Thanks to Holly)
Actual lyrics: The jig is up, the news is out
Misheard as: The jig is up, the noose is out
(Thanks to Christina)
Misheard as: Time is up, the juice is left out
(Thanks to Mike)
Actual lyrics: Retrieved for a bounty
Misheard as: They cheat for a bounty
(Thanks to K.C.)
Misheard as: Wwent straight for a pony
(Thanks to Mike)
Actual lyrics: The judge will have revenge today
Misheard as: The judge will have the events today
(Thanks to Litestar)
Actual lyrics: Oh Mamma, I can hear you a crying you're so scared and
all alone
Misheard as: Oh Mamma, I can hear you a crying as a skeleton
(Thanks to Gabi Dietrich
Actual lyrics: Mama, don't let them take me!
Misheard as: Let go of my Teddy Bear!
(Thanks to pakerz)
Song: Roar, by Glen Burtnik
Actual lyrics: Her heels fire rhythm, her fingers keep time
Misheard as: Her heels buy her rhythm, her fingers tap time
Actual lyrics: Her eyes are the light and her laugh the antennae to heaven
Misheard as: Rise in the light and her laugh, the intent unto heaven
Song: Rockin' The Paradise
Actual lyric: And some straight talking, hard working son of a gun
Misheard as: And some straight talking, high f*cking son of a gun
(Thanks to USSJin3@aol.com)
Actual lyrics: Go Sparky, Go!
Misheard as: Oh, Rock 'n' Roll!
(Thanks to Bob Young)
Song: Show Me The Way
Actual lyric: Every night I say a prayer in the hopes that there's a heaven
Misheard as: Every night I say a prayer in the hopes that there's a hairball
(Thanks to Holly)
Misheard as: Every night I say a prayer in the hopes there's the hills of
Egon
(Thanks to Nickdoctorwho@aol.com)
Actual lyric: All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay
Misheard as: All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to all disarray
(Thanks to Beth White)
Misheard as: All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of blame
(Thanks to Rydia4114@aol.com)
Misheard as: All the heroes legends I knew as a child have fallen to ardent soufflé
(Thanks to Chris)
Misheard as: All the heroes legends I knew as a child have fallen to items of play
(Thanks to Kristin Emge)
Actual lyric: And I keep on hoping for a sign, so afraid that I just won't know
Misheard as: And I keep on hoping it'll go aside, so I pray I just won't know
(Thanks to BrittUreta)
Actual lyric: And if I feel light should I believe
Misheard as: And if I see a light should I believe
Song: Sing For The Day
Actual lyric: But Hannah I need you as much as you think you need me
Misheard as: But, hell, I need you as much as you think you need me
(Thanks to Peter J.)
Actual lyric: Ageless and timeless as Dorian Gray
Misheard as: Ageless and timeless as glorious days
(Thanks to Litestar)
Actual lyric: Come to your window and we'll fly to your dreams
Misheard as: Come to your window and say goodbye to your dreams
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: Snowblind
Actual lyric: You filled me with confidence, but you blinded my eyes
Misheard as: You filled me with confidence, too blind in my eyes
Song: The Grand Illusion
Actual lyric: Because your neighbors got it made
Misheard as: Because your neighbors got a maid
Actual lyric: America spells competition
Misheard as: A motorcross, there's competition
(Thanks to Bob "Aku Aku" Young)
Misheard as: Whatever comes, there's competition
(Thanks to Brian Angell)
Misheard as: And then, of course, there's competition
(Thanks to Rydia4114@aol.com)
Song: This Old Man
Actual lyric: With coffee, sandwiches and dreams
Misheard as: With coffee, sandwiches and brie
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: Too Much Time On My Hands
Actual lyric: Is it any wonder I'm null and void?
Misheard as: Is it any wonder I'm not employed?
Actual lyric: Well, I'm a jet fuel genius, I can solve the world's problems without even trying
Misheard as: Well, I'm a sexual genius, I can solve the world's problems without even trying
Misheard as: Well, I'm a deputy 'cause I can solve the world's problems without even trying
(Thanks to Tom McClure)
Misheard as: Well, I'm an executive genius, I can solve the world's problems without even trying
(Thanks to ErickTUL)
Misheard as: Well, I'm a deaf-mute genius, I can solve the world's problems without even trying
(Thanks to Dean Mackey)
Misheard as: Well, I'm a jet-fuel genius, I guess all the world's problems without even trying
(Thanks to michelevestuto@yahoo.com)
Song: What Have They Done To You
Actual lyric: Well I heard you had a hell of a time there
Misheard as: Well I heard you had to have a good time there
Actual lyric: Well they say you witnessed some kind of life there
Misheard as: Well they say you witnessed some kind of nightmare
Misheard as: Well they say you witnessed some kind of light there
(Thanks to michelevestuto@yahoo.com)
Actual lyric: When the gatekeeper called for the toll
Misheard as: When the gay people come for the tall
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: While There's Still Time
Actual lyric: So while there's still time
Misheard as: So why waste your time
(Thanks to Gabi Dietrich)
Actual lyric: Girl, while there's still time
Misheard as: Go while there's still time
Song: Why Me
Actual lyrics: I need relief
Misheard as: I need wi ye
(Thanks to Litestar)
Song: You Better Ask
Actual lyric: Pardon me, miss, for seeming quite so blunt
Misheard as: Pardon me, mister, seeming quite so blunt
Song: You Need Love
Actual lyric: Children love without doubt
Misheard as: Children love with the duck
(Thanks to Joe Ferry)
Misheard as: Children love with the dove
Actual lyric: Listen my friends carefully to direction to get there
Misheard as: Listen my friends 'cause you need new directions to get
there
(Thanks to Brian Angell
Misheard as: Listen my friends carefully to direction together
Song: Young Man
Actual lyric: Time's stowaway, the young man
Misheard as: Time stole away the young man
Thanks to Lynn for getting the ball rolling on this and to the Styx Internet Mailing List for sharing their experiences!
Links to other sites on the Web
The Archive of Misheard Lyrics
Misunderstood Lyrics Compendium
What Is A Mondegreen?
Jamboozle
Amiright.com - Misheard Lyrics
Your Ears Flapped (misheard lyrics from Paco's Funny Pages)
Funny Misheard Lyrics
Reverse Speech (an interesting theory...)
Notice: This is an unofficial web site. Many lyrics have been transcribed by ear and may contain inaccuracies. All lyrics are the sole property of the indicated authors and are included here simply to enhance the enjoyment of the music for both old and new fans and as a forum for discussion of the meaning of the songs. Any attempts to use these lyrics for any non-educational purpose is both unethical and illegal. If you like a song, buy the album. If you want to record or perform a song, contact the author of the song for permission and to arrange appropriate royalties.
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