Posted on 03/01/2006 3:57:01 PM PST by 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.
Really? I never did
Lol :)
You've got to be kidding me... I grew up with that tune and never thought he said that!
"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.
I love Mondegreens! :)
Lots more of them here:
http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/carroll/mondegreens.shtml
Funny, funny stuff! :)
Ping
Shouldn't that honor go to "Louie Louie"?
Thanks for the ping!
How are ya, MG?
Tapir back rider.
Good. How've you been doing? Been to any concerts lately?
Not lately! Hoping to hit some this summer though.
How about you?
Jimi played with audience however. He can be heard on at least one bootleg singing "'xcuse me while I kiss THAT guy."
I would wager that more people mishear Bruce Springsteen when he sings "wrapped up like a douche, another runner in the night"
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. :')
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.)
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
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