Say What? A Guide To Misheard Lyrics

Admit it, we’ve all at one point or another got the lyrics to a song wrong, only to find out the ugly way, like when crooning a tune to a girl who has filed a restraining order against you. (The cop arresting me pointed out how I got Air Supply's 'I'm All Out Of Love' wrong, how embarrassing!) Me? I meant this guy I know.

I’ve come across a couple of doozies in my time, and here they are, in all their unfiltered glory. I will examine the correct lyric first, then what the person thought he or she heard.

Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield

Correct lyric:
You know, I wish that I had Jessie's girl

Alright, not bad. This dude obviously has a case of girlfriend envy. We’ve all been there before. Alright, I’ve been there before. Back off!

What I heard:
You know, I wish that I WAS Jessie’s Girl

“Woah woah woah… He wishes he was what??” That was my first thought upon hearing this. I didn’t believe they’d let such ‘liberal’ lyrics on air! I thought my country had finally opened up, but I was sorely mistaken.

Lemon Tree – Fool’s Garden

Correct lyric:
I wonder how, I wonder why

Ok, this song was one of the most annoying one-hit wonders ever to exist. I personally didn’t hate it that much though. It was catchy!

What my friend heard:
I walk around, in my car

This really bothered me. How can anyone walk in their car? If he could, he had a huge car. Like a limo or something. My friend didn’t care though, even after I pointed out the error. To him, Fool’s Garden had huge ass cars with walking room.

Animal Song – Savage Garden

Correct lyric:
I want to live… like an animal…

Right. This Darren Hayes dude had (at the time) hordes of nubile teenage girls at his disposal, and he sings about wanting to be an animal. Or is he into a particular sub-category of porn? We’ll never know.

What my friend and I heard:
I want to live… like a CANNONBALL

This totally baffled us, and we spent countless hours discussing how someone can live like a cannonball. I mean, a cannonball is an inanimate object, right? You can’t technically ‘live’ like one because it simply does not live, like animals and humans do.

We should’ve spent those hours getting to know girls, I realise now.

Ironic – Alanis Morissette

Correct lyric:
It’s like rai-eee-ain, on your wedding day

Cool song. Angry and bitter, perfectly fitting in with my mid-90s teenage years. Shame how we later had to see her stand nude in the street for her ‘Thank You’ video. I hate you Alanis.

What my friend heard:
It’s like RADIOOOOO

I won’t even bother trying to come up with a rationale for this one.

So I hope this teaches you something, aside from the fact that I have simply too much time on my hands. Ok I can’t think of anything else aside from that.

Until next time, peace out!