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.

[stainlessbanner]

Steve Miller: "Big Ol' Jed left the light on....."

[dfwgator]

I used to think the song "Groovin'" by The Little Rascals was about a threesome, "Life would be ecstasy, you and me, and Leslie...." Instead it's, "you and me, endlessly."

[Cagey]

"Life would be ecstasy, you and me, and Leslie...." "

ROFLMAO!!

I won't ask what you thought that song "Me and you and a dog named Boo" was about.

[SunkenCiv]

some related asides:

When I was in high school, there was a very weird claim that the band Queen ("Bohemian Rhapsody" had just zoomed to a bit hit for that band) was made up of former members of the Cowsills. Go figure.

A local (Grand Rapids Michigan) DJ used to broadcast a very weird claim that Desmond Dekker (best known for the 1960s hit, "Israelites") was the show business nom de plume of Bishop Desmond Tutu when he was young.

http://webfitz.com/lyrics/index.php?option=com_webfitzlyrics&Itemid=27&func=fullview&lyricsid=4340

I also recall a Canadian band Klaatu which, while unremarkable IMHO, were rumored to be the Beatles recording under the cover of anonymity. I buried Paul.

[SunkenCiv]

Hey, thanks! Having the name really helped me out! "Why? Why? All time high." it sez here...

http://www.lyricsondemand.com/c/castawayslyrics/liarlyrics.html

Castaways Lyrics

Liar Lyrics

Why? Why? All time high.
He does this longer than a colourfull line.
Ask me diva what I've said.
You've been out all night, know you've 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 do what you do.
Listen dear girl can't you see I love you.
Make a little effort try to be true.
I'll be happy not so blue.

Why? Why? All time high.
He does this longer than a colourfull line.
Two people telling all thoes lies.
Still going out with other guys.
One of theese days I'll be gone.
Take my adwise, won't be long.

I left you once, won't be bad.
Sleep with you, bot I'll still be sad.
In spight of you cheating I still love you so.
I'll be unhappy if I let you go.

Why? Why? All time high.
He does this longer than a colourfull line.

[SunkenCiv]

Hey, I'm not too sure now...

http://mfile3.akamai.com/14122/rm/muze.download.akamai.com/2890/us/usrm/_!/420/282420_1_13.ram?auth=daEc5a9dFcOd2bbc1dNdAaIb3c2awc.bscN-beciAT-Ci-hdbec&aifp=1234&obj=v50321

[Cagey]

It is "Liar, liar, pants on fire."

I'm going to have to add that to my iPod. I forgot how good that song was.

[aruanan]

And I thought the lyrics for Groovin were "You and me and Lesley groovin on a Sunday afternoon."

[Cagey]

You're not alone. See posts 22 and 23.

[SuzyQue]

Ha! I always thought it was "50 cent hair". Now I know.

[SunkenCiv]

I'm a one-man misheard lyrics movement.

[SunkenCiv]

While you're adding iPod toonz... Bubble Puppy, "Hot Smoke and Sassafras" ?

http://bubblepuppy.com/HotSmoke.html

[Cagey]

I haven't checked iTunes yet, but I did use Altavista's mp3 search and came up with this:

http://www.seandriscollgroup.com/sounds/sassafras_live.mp3

I'm certain that's not it. I'll check with iTunes this evening. I have a feeling Hot Smoke and Sassafras was not a chart buster, was it?

[nickcarraway]

That is not a chick singing. The guy just had a high voice.

[nickcarraway]

That's another song called "Liar," the one you were referring to is called "Liar, Liar." (Go figure) It's on the same web site, though.

[freedumb2003]

"On a dark desert highway
Cool Whip in my hair..."

[Cagey]

He was a Frankie Valli wannabe.

Speaking of Frankie Valli, yesterday I heard "Don't Think Twice" by the "Wonder Who" yesterday and I remember how many people didn't realize who it was singing on that recording.

Another falsetto singer from that era was Lou Christie singing "Lightning Strikes".

[Always Right]

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

Except no one has the faintist idea what they are saying.

[Always Right]

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

Isn't that Foreigner?

[Cagey]

Except no one has the faintist idea what they are saying.

LOL! How true.

I think I was in eighth grade at the time that song was released.