40 Song Lyrics We've All Screwed up Through the Years
40 Song Lyrics We've All Screwed up Through the Years
Blame it on the singers' mumbling delivery or the song's distracting acoustics — but even with the best headphones, people tend to mess up the lyrics to some pretty famous hits. From Bob Dylan to Lorde, you may just find out that you've been loudly and proudly belting the wrong words this whole time. At least you're not alone, because these misheard lyrics are so common, they've become a joke in and of themselves.
They may have topped the charts (some of these are summer anthems!), but the songs on our list still prove a challenge for even the most dedicated listeners. Next time one of these songs comes on the radio, lean in a little closer.
“Dancing Queen” by ABBA
As delicious as those sweet, citrus fruits are, it's the beat of the tambourine that these Swedish pop stars want you to feel.
"Losing My Religion” by R.E.M.
This is terrible advice. But before you blame this 90's alternative rock band, you should know that singer Michael Stripe is saying "that's me in the corner."
"You're the One That I Want" by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta
Given what a good dancer John Travolta is in Grease, you may have figured out there was no plywood in his shoes. What he's actually saying during the movie's final number is, "I've got chills, they're multiplying."
"Good for You" by Selena Gomez
We have to admit, it really does sound like Selena Gomez is singing these implausible lyrics in "Good for You" — but what she's actually saying is "I'm 14 carats."
“Monster” by Eminem and Rihanna
It's the monsters under her bed that Rihanna is friends with in this 2013 hit single. We've always preferred ketchup anyway.
"It's Gonna Be Me" by NSYNC
So many people have thought that it sounds like Justin Timberlake is saying "it's gonna be May" instead of the actual lyric "it's gonna be me" that it's become a meme.
"Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X
You weren't alone if you thought this was what Lil' Nas X was saying in last year's viral country-rap crossover hit, but he was actually going to take his horse to the titular "Old Town Road."
“Stir It Up” by Bob Marley
No Bob Dylan isn't crooning about his favorite breakfast food, what he is actually saying is “Stir it up, little darlin’."
"We Will Rock You” by Queen
It's your can Queen is kicking all over the place — no cats were harmed in the making on this song.
“Blowin' In The Wind” by Bob Dylan
This song makes a lot more sense when you consider Dylan is saying that "these answers, my friend," are what is blowing in the wind.
"Royals" by Lorde
Lorde wrote the words to her debut single in just 30 minutes, but not so quickly she included vegetables. The teen just wanted to be known as "queen bee."
"Tiny Dancer" by Elton John
The title of Elton's single speaks for itself, but Phoebe Buffay (and many others) like to serenade the Taxi actor instead.
"Waterfalls" by TLC
Sorry, Jason, but the advice here is "don't go chasing waterfalls."
"Blank Space" by Taylor Swift
Taylor joked about her "long list of ex-lovers" but even her own mom agreed the line sounds like the coffee chain.
"Empire State of Mind" by Jay Z Feat. Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys believes the concrete jungle are "where dreams are made of," although New Yorkers can still find tomatoes.
"Baby Baby" by Amy Grant
You shouldn't skip moisturizing, but Amy Grant was "taken with the notion," not her cream.
"Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera
Just like the genie in Aladdin, Xtina wanted out of the bottle. No word on how she feels about cats though.
"I'm Real (Remix)" by Jennifer Lopez
JLo kicks off this 2001 track by spelling R-U-L-E — a nod to featured rapper Ja Rule — not asking about some girl named Ellie.
“Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix
Unfortunately for the hypothetical fella, Jimi Hendrix asks for a second to "kiss the sky."
"Message in a Bottle" by The Police
Don't send flowers to Sting — his nose is fine. He's singing from the viewpoint of a castaway who "wrote a note."
"Human" by The Killers
"It's supposed to be a dance song, it goes with the chorus," lead singer Brandon Flowers told Rolling Stone. "I just don't get why there's a confusion about it." Um, maybe because "are we dancer" makes zero grammatical sense?
"When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around" by The Police
As lovely as homemade stew sounds, The Police cleared this one up in their (very) long song title.
"Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
The fictional couple Tommy and Gina remain fully-clothed for all we know. The anthem actually states, "It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not."
"Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" by The Beatles
Lucy — the real-life classmate of John Lennon's son — dreamily became "the girl with kaleidoscope eyes," not an unfortunate suffer of digestive disease.
"Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
John Fogerty gets such a kick out of this mistake that he sometimes uses the wrong words in concert, instead of "there's a bad moon on the rise."
"Like a Virgin" by Madonna
It's no secret (to most) that the lyrics aren't "touched for the thirty-first time."
"Runnin' Down a Dream" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty took inspiration from Del Shannon's "Runaway" while writing his self-explanatory song about "runnin' down a dream."
"Evil Woman" by Black Sabbath
Why can't people just learn the song title?! Black Sabbath's famous Crow cover made this one pretty clear from the get go.
"Wrong Way" by Sublime
Every night should be taco night, but the ska band actually suggested "we talk all night, try to make it right."
"Rock the Casbah" by The Clash
For those wondering, a "casbah" is a North African castle or fortress. A song about a cash bar, cash box or cat box still sounds equally interesting though.
"Paradise City" by Guns N' Roses
Axl Rose wanted to go to the paradise city, where the grass looks much greener than just a nice city.
"Panama" by Van Halen
According to David Lee Roth, a car named "Panama Express" inspired this 1984 single, not the canal or the country.
"I Try" by Macy Gray
This entire song comes out rather confusing (does anyone else hear "nacho" instead of "and I choke"?!), but Macy wants you to know, "My world crumbles when you are not near."
"Paradise" by Coldplay
Thankfully Chris Martin is referencing the song's utopian title, not a hidden gambling problem.
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
Even though MTV played the video on repeat, '90s kids still struggle to decipher Kurt Cobain's singing. The official lyrics don't include anything too shocking though. He's actually listing, "A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido."
"I'm a Believer" by The Monkees
Neil Diamond wrote this song before The Monkees (and later Smash Mouth) recorded it, but the real words (and song title) take on the complete opposite meaning.
"We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel
Billy Joel referenced over 100 pop culture events in this chart-topping favorite, but people still get hung up the chorus. The correct lyrics go, "It was always burning since the world's been turning."
"Do (Cherish You)" by 98 Degrees
Don't worry, your hairbrush is safe. Originally recorded by country artist Mark Wills, the boy band actually crooned, "Your hand brushes mine."
"Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams
The title of the song isn't as innocent as it seems, but Bryan Adams kicks off the song demurely enough by remembering his "first real six-string."
"Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Four years ago, Spotify officially named this Bruce Springsteen cover as the most misquoted song lyric, with over half of listeners getting the words wrong. Manfred Mann actually sings, "Revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night," so get your mind out of the gutter.
From Bob Dylan to Lorde, you may just find out that you've been loudly and proudly belting the wrong lyrics to these tunes. At least you're not alone, because these misheard lyrics are so common, they've become a joke in and of themselves.