13 Misheard Lyrics That Changed How We Heard a Song Forever
This listicle shares some of the funniest and most surprising misheard lyrics that completely changed the way we hear these songs.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Misheard lyrics can make even the most serious songs sound hilarious. Each one includes the version people thought they heard and the actual lyric. You might never listen to these songs the same way again.
1. “Tiny Dancer” - “Tony Danza”
Eddie on Wikimedia Commons
Many people have sworn Elton John was singing about Tony Danza instead of a tiny dancer. The mix-up became so well-known that it was even mentioned in the TV show Friends. Once you hear the wrong version, it is almost impossible not to sing it that way.
2. “Blank Space” → “Starbucks lovers”
iHeartRadioCA on Wikimedia Commons
In Taylor Swift’s hit, the line “Got a long list of ex-lovers” often sounds like “Starbucks lovers.” Fans joked about it so much that it became an internet meme. It is one of those mix-ups that makes you imagine a very different song.
3. “Waterfalls” - “Jason Waterfalls”
The Come Up Show from Canada on Wikimedia Commons
TLC’s line “Don’t go chasing waterfalls” has been famously heard as “Don’t go, Jason Waterfalls.” The mistake paints a strange picture of a man named Jason needing to be left alone. It is a misheard lyric that fans still laugh about decades later.
4. RaeLynn’s “Boyfriend” - “Lovebug”
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America on Wikimedia Commons
In RaeLynn’s song, she sings about Lubbock, a city in Texas, but many listeners hear “lovebug” instead. The difference completely changes the meaning of the line. RaeLynn herself found it so funny that she joked about changing the words officially.
5. “Empire State of Mind” - “Wet dream tomato”
Walmart on Pexels
The line “where dreams are made” in the Alicia Keys and Jay-Z anthem can sound like “wet dream tomato.” This is one of those cases where your brain fills in the blank with the closest-sounding words. Once you hear it, you may start picturing a tomato in Times Square.
6. “Bad Moon Rising” - “Bathroom on the right”
Cal Montney, Los Angeles Times on Wikimedia Commons
Creedence Clearwater Revival sings “There’s a bad moon on the rise,” but many people hear “There’s a bathroom on the right.” The incorrect version actually fits perfectly into the rhythm of the song. Even John Fogerty has been known to sing the misheard lyric as a joke during live shows.
7. “Purple Haze” - “Kiss this guy”
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
Jimi Hendrix’s “’Scuse me while I kiss the sky” is one of the most famously misheard lines in rock history. Many swear they hear “kiss this guy” instead. Hendrix himself once played along by actually kissing a bandmate on stage after singing it.
8. “Two Tickets to Paradise” - “Two chicken to paralyze”
Wmshprd on Wikimedia Commons
Eddie Money’s “Two tickets to paradise” has been misheard as “two chicken to paralyze.” The strange wording makes no sense, which is exactly why it is so funny. It is a perfect example of how the mind can twist lyrics into something bizarre.
9. “Edge of Seventeen” - “One winged dove”
Klaus Hiltscher on Wikimedia Commons
Stevie Nicks sings “white winged dove,” but some listeners hear “one-winged dove.” That small change gives the song a completely different, almost haunting image. The wrong version has become a fan-favorite misinterpretation.
10. “Beast of Burden” - “Pizza burning”
Jim Pietryga on Wikimedia Commons
The Rolling Stones’ line “I’ll never be your beast of burden” has been misheard as “I’ll never be your pizza burning.” The mistake adds an unexpected food reference to the song. Once you hear it, you might start craving a slice instead of thinking about heartbreak.
11. “Crazy” - “Unglued” vs “Colour Blue”
bobnjeff on Wikimedia Commons
In Aerosmith’s “Crazy,” the phrase “colour blue” can sometimes sound like “unglued.” Both versions work in a strange way, though one is clearly stickier than the other. It is a softer example of how the ear can bend a phrase into something new.
12. “Miss Independent” - “Cinnamon bun”
vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England on Wikimedia Commons
Kelly Clarkson’s “Miss Independent” has been heard as “my cinnamon bun.” The switch turns a song about empowerment into one about pastries. It is a sweet mistake that many listeners still sing by accident.
13. “Blinded By The Light” - “Douche in the night”
H.KoPP on Wikimedia Commons
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band sings “revved up like a deuce,” but many hear “wrapped up like a douche.” The misheard version is one of the most famous in rock music. It has been discussed, laughed at, and sung the wrong way for decades.