Kiss this Guy? Perhaps (Mishearing Purple Haze)

SKY News ^ | 2-28-2006

[Cagey]

Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze is claimed to have the most misheard song lyric in rock music.

The song, written at the height of the hippy phenomenon, contains the line "Scuse me while I kiss the sky" - but many think it is actually "Scuse me while I kiss this guy."

Second in a survey from a hearing aid company was the refrain from the Beatles' Paperback Writer which has ended up as "Paint the black whiter".

But there were some less likely transformations.

For example, a line in Madonna's Erotica is supposed to be "Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body".

Some people are said to have interpreted this as "Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie, put your hands all over my body."

There is a serious side to the survey, commissioned by David Ormerod Hearing Services.

The company says many people mishear lyrics because they are suffering from "consonant loss", an early sign of hearing loss.

It seems that vowels are easier to pick up - but it is the consonants that dictate the meaning of words.

[Gay State Conservative]

Creedence..."there's the bathroom on the right".

[Cagey]

How Deep Is Your Love by the Bee Gees: "and you come to me on a submarine" - is supposed to be "and you come to me on a summer breeze" - I have always thought those were the words....... Shelley Cross, London

[apackof2]

but many think it is actually "Scuse me while I kiss this guy."

Really? I never did

[MotleyGirl70]

"and you come to me tied on a submarine in a black evening gown."

Lol :)

[sit-rep]

You've got to be kidding me... I grew up with that tune and never thought he said that!

[MotleyGirl70]

I wonder what people interpret when they listen to this part of the Led Zeppelin song "Living Loving Maid":

"With a purple umbrella and a fifty cent hat,"

Unless you know the lyrics, I bet a lot of people wouldn't figure it out.

[annie laurie]

I love Mondegreens! :)

Lots more of them here:

http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/carroll/mondegreens.shtml

Funny, funny stuff! :)

[MotleyGirl70]

Ping

[supercat]

Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze is claimed to have the most misheard song lyric in rock music.

Shouldn't that honor go to "Louie Louie"?

[RockinRight]

Thanks for the ping!

How are ya, MG?

[fishtank]

"Second in a survey from a hearing aid company was the refrain from the Beatles' Paperback Writer which has ended up as "Paint the black whiter"."

Tapir back rider.

[MotleyGirl70]

Good. How've you been doing? Been to any concerts lately?

[RockinRight]

Not lately! Hoping to hit some this summer though.

How about you?

[MotleyGirl70]

I hope to see a couple at Summerfest this summer. I know The Black Crowes are coming. I'd like to see them, but I definitely want to see Tom Petty.

[weegee]

Jimi played with audience however. He can be heard on at least one bootleg singing "'xcuse me while I kiss THAT guy."

[weegee]

I would wager that more people mishear Bruce Springsteen when he sings "wrapped up like a douche, another runner in the night"

[SunkenCiv]

I'd read that before, but always thought that one odd, because (although i'm not great at figuring out lyrics, and frankly have better uses for my time) it's clear as a bell that he sings, "scuse me while I kiss the sky".

There's an old piece of psychedelia (and I remember it clearly, no jokes please, just can't recall who did it or what the song is) which features a chorus with a falsetto or some go-go chick singin' "My, my, how time flies" -- but there are plenty of people who thing the words are "liar liar, pants on fire". It's not even close.

I thought the all-tim leader for misheard lyrics was the song "Louie, Louie" (Kingsmen version).

Thanks MotleyGirl70 for that tidbit about Livin Lovin Maid. I always wondered what Plant was talking about, so I just looked up the lyrics. :')

[SunkenCiv]

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_316

"Louie Louie, me gotta go. Louie Louie, me gotta go. A fine little girl, she wait for me. Me catch the ship across the sea. I sailed the ship all alone. I never think I'll make it home. Louie Louie, me gotta go . Three nights and days we sailed the sea. Me think of girl constantly. On the ship, I dream she there. I smell the rose in her hair. Louie Louie, me gotta go. Me see Jamaican moon above. It won't be long me see me love. Me take her in my arms and then I tell her I never leave again. Louie Louie, me gotta go." (By Richard Berry. Copyright 1957-1963 by Limax Music Inc.)

[Cagey]

The Castaways.

Liar, liar, pants on fire
Your nose is longer than a telephone wire

Ask me, baby, why I'm sad
You been out all night
Know you been bad

Don't tell me different
Know it's a lie
Come to me, honey
See how I cry

Why must you hurt me
So what you do
Listen here, girl
Can't you see I love you

Make a little effort
Try to be true
I'll be happy, not so blue

Liar, liar, pants on fire
Your nose is longer
Than a telephone wire

If you keep on
Telling me those lies
Still going out
With other guys

There'll come a day
I'll be gone
Take my advice
Won't be long

When that day comes
Won't be mad
Be free of you
But I'll still be sad

In spite of your cheating
Still love you so
I'll be unhappy
If I let you go

Liar, liar, pants on fire
Your nose is longer
Than a telephone wire