Did We Hear That Right?

Whether you’ve been ‘kissing this guy’ or calling out to ‘Jason Waterfalls,’ misheard lyrics can turn music into comedy gold. These lyrical blunders, known in technical terms as mondegreens, show how even your favorite rock n’ roll hits can be hilariously misunderstood. Let’s clear up the confusion, and share a few laughs over 24 of the most misheard lines ever.

Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix)

Real lyric: “Excuse me while I kiss the sky.”
Misheard lyric: “Excuse me while I kiss this guy.”
The undisputed king of misheard lines! Hendrix’s psychedelic drawl and guitar fuzz made generations believe he was publicly smooching a random dude mid‑solo. Hendrix even played along, jokingly singing the wrong words in concerts.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Purple Haze (Live at the Atlanta Pop Festival), Jimi Hendrix

Tiny Dancer (Elton John)

Real lyric: “Hold me closer, tiny dancer.”
Misheard lyric: “Hold me closer, Tony Danza.”
A misheard line that’s practically pop culture legend. From sitcoms to memes, Tony Danza owes half his fame to Elton John’s vocal inflection. You can’t unhear it once you’ve sung it that way.

Elton John LIVE 4K - Tiny Dancer (Dodger Stadium - LAST SHOW IN USA) | 2022, Elton John HD Collection

Livin’ on a Prayer (Bon Jovi)

Real lyric: “It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not.”
Misheard lyric: “It doesn’t make a difference if we’re naked or not.”
A highly suggestive misinterpretation from one of rock’s biggest anthems. Jon Bon Jovi probably didn’t intend that message, but fans bellowing the wrong lyrics at karaoke clearly don’t mind.

Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer (4K 2160p 30fps VP9 LQ 128kbit AAC), 80s 90s Party 4K Remastered

Waterfalls (TLC)

Real lyric: “Don’t go chasing waterfalls.”
Misheard lyric: “Don’t go Jason Waterfalls.”
Poor Jason. They’ve been warning him now for decades. This iconic TLC hit accidentally created a phantom character fans can’t stop referencing. Jason Waterfalls: the hero nobody asked for, and also the one that nobody wants to leave.

TLC - Waterfalls (Official HD Video), TLC

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC)

Real lyric: “Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap.”
Misheard lyric: “Dirty deeds and the thunder jeep.”
When Angus Young’s power chords roar, words don’t even really matter. ‘Thunder jeep’ sounds like a killer vehicle; AC/DC could probably sell it as merch.

AC/DC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (Live at Donington, 8/17/91), AC/DC

Blinded by the Light (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band)

Real lyric: “Revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night.”
Misheard lyric: “Wrapped up like a douche, another rumor in the night.”
This one’s so famous it’s pretty much official. The confusion between ‘deuce’ (a hot‑rod term) and ‘douche’ made for generations of bewildered radio listeners.

Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded By The Light (Watch 1978), Manfred Manns Earth Band (MMEB)

Suspicious Minds (Elvis Presley)

Real lyric: “We’re caught in a trap.”
Misheard lyric: “We’re calling a trout.”
King of Rock ’n’ Roll, meet King of Fish. Elvis’s soulful delivery spawned this bizarre aquatic twist that’s been a source of amusement for fans ever since.

Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds (Official Music Video), Elvis Presley

Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

Real lyric: “There’s a bad moon on the rise.”
Misheard lyric: “There’s a bathroom on the right.”
Bathroom humor meets swamp rock. Even John Fogerty has cracked the occasional joke that he sometimes sings the misheard version live. A classic case of necessity meeting comedy.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising (At The Royal Albert Hall / 1970), Creedence Clearwater Revival

We Will Rock You (Queen)

Real lyric: “Kicking your can all over the place.”
Misheard lyric: “Kicking your cat all over the place.”
Nothing screams misplaced rock n’ roll rebellion like cruelty to animals, except that’s not what Freddie sang. Still, some pet owners might feel differently after hearing it that way.

Queen - We Will Rock You (Official Video), Queen Official

Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)

Real lyric: “Here we are now, entertain us.”
Misheard lyric: “Here we are now, in containers.”
Kurt Cobain’s grunge mumble generated endless lyrical confusion. The misheard version paints a claustrophobic thought of being trapped in Tupperware with last night’s leftovers.

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Official Music Video), Nirvana

Like a Virgin (Madonna)

Real lyric: “Touched for the very first time.”
Misheard lyric: “Touched for the thirty‑first time.”
A far less innocent take that dramatically changes the tone. Either way, Madonna made pop history, and a generation of parents anxious.

Madonna - Like A Virgin (Official Video), Madonna

Hotel California (Eagles)

Real lyric: “On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair.”
Misheard lyric: “On a dark desert highway, cool whip in my hair.”
That sounds a bit messy! The sugary misinterpretation has spawned dessert‑themed memes for decades.

Eagles - Hotel California (Live 1977) (Official Video) [HD], Eagles

I Can See Clearly Now (Johnny Nash)

Real lyric: “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.”
Misheard lyric: “I can see clearly now, Lorraine is gone.”
Poor Lorraine. How could she know she was blocking visibility all along? One of the more innocent mix‑ups on this list.

JOHNNY NASH "I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW" 1972, GreatPerformers1

Sweet Dreams (Eurythmics)

Real lyric: “Sweet dreams are made of this.”
Misheard lyric: “Sweet dreams are made of cheese.”
Honestly, this one’s too perfect. Annie Lennox’s dreamy vocals meet dairy cravings—creating one of the most beloved food‑related misheard lyrics ever.

Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) (Official Video), Eurythmics

We Built This City (Starship)

Real lyric: “We built this city on rock and roll.”
Misheard lyric: “We built this city on sausage rolls.”
So British, so brilliant. The internet revived this one in meme form, turning an overplayed ’80s anthem into an accidental bakery jingle.

Starship - We Built This City (Official Music Video) [HD], RHINO

Africa (Toto)

Real lyric: “There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do.”
Misheard lyric: “There’s nothing that a hundred men on Mars could ever do.”
Sci‑fi fans have claimed this misheard gem, adding cosmic flair to Toto’s global hit.

Toto - Africa (Official HD Video), TOTO

Rocket Man (Elton John)

Real lyric: “I’m a rocket man, burning out his fuse up here alone.”
Misheard lyric: “I’m a rocket man, burning out his shoes up here alone.”
Even in space, safety footwear matters. The misheard lyric adds relatable practicality to Elton’s melancholy masterpiece.

Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Dancing Queen (ABBA)

Real lyric: “See that girl, watch that scene, diggin’ the dancing queen.”
Misheard lyric: “See that girl, watch her scream, kicking the dancing queen.”
ABBA’s disco joy suddenly gets violent, and even a little bit absurd. A disco dance floor brawl no one saw coming.

ABBA - Dancing Queen (Official Music Video), ABBA

Every Time You Go Away (Paul Young)

Real lyric: “Every time you go away, you take a piece of me with you.”
Misheard lyric: “Every time you go away, you take a piece of meat with you.”
Who knew heartbreak could also involve charcuterie? This misheard line has fans picturing Paul Young lugging salami into the sunset.

Paul Young - Everytime You Go Away (Official Video), paulyoungchannel

Desperado (Eagles)

Real lyric: “Don’t your feet get cold in the wintertime?”
Misheard lyric: “Don’t your teeth get cold in the wintertime?”
Another Eagles entry. Dental chill isn’t exactly poetic, but somehow fits the song’s lonely vibe.

Eagles - Desperado (Live from Melbourne) (Official Video) [4K], Eagles

Like a Prayer (Madonna)

Real lyric: “Let the choir sing.”
Misheard lyric: “Let the choir sting.”
A small change, but it makes a huge difference Madonna’s spiritual anthem suddenly turns vengeful.

MADONNA - LIKE A PRAYER - 4K REMASTERED 2160p UHD, Madonna Now

Money for Nothing (Dire Straits)

Real lyric: “Money for nothing, and your chicks for free.”
Misheard lyric: “Money for nothing, and your chips for free.”
Fast food meets rock ’n’ roll in one deliciously misheard bargain.

Dire Straits - Money For Nothing (Live at Wembley 1985), Dire Straits

Purple Rain (Prince)

Real lyric: “I never meant to cause you any sorrow.”
Misheard lyric: “I never meant to call you a celery.”
Prince’s soulful lament becomes a grocery store apology. It’s the kind of lyrical confusion only true pop genius could inspire.

Icon and Image, Getty Images

Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana reprise)

Real lyric: “A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido.”
Misheard lyric: “A potato, an albino, a mosquito, my libido.”
Because nothing says grunge angst like carbohydrates. This misheard classic proves that sometimes, the wrong words are the ones that stick in your mind forever.

Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Official Music Video), Nirvana

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Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7