Misheard Lyrics -> In Movies and TV Shows

Misheard lyrics (also called mondegreens) occur when people misunderstand the lyrics in a song. These are NOT intentional rephrasing of lyrics, which is called parody. For more information about the misheard lyrics available on this site, please read our FAQ.

I was watching Bull Durham the other day, and one of the main characters was on a bus singing a song incorrectly, and I thought it would be cool to see if anyone knows of any other movies which feature misheard lyrics in them.

Bull Durham

The song in Bull Durham (being sung by Tim Robbins) is 'Try A Little Tenderness'. He sings: "She may get woolly. Women do get woolly." The actual lyrics are: "She may get weary. Young girls do get weary." Kevin Costner corrects him and also adds that "No one is woolly."

Jumpin' Jack Flash

At one point, to gain the confidence of a new contact, she attempts to decipher the lyrics to the classic 'Stones song, "Jumpin' Jack Flash" for a possible password. Of course, it turns out that was wasted effort since he wasn't looking for a song lyric.

The Wedding Singer

When Robbie's ex-girlfriend tries to wake him up, she is singing "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." She sings "Wake me up before you go go, Don't leave me hangin' on like a solo" when it should be "Wake me up before you go-go, don't leave me hangin' on like a yo-yo".

Friends

The characters were talking about song lyrics around the breakfast table. Phoebe, who is always funny but tries to be serious about it, chimes in with, "You know that song Elton John wrote for that 'Who's The Boss' guy?" and then she starts singing, "Hold me close, young Tony Danza." Obviously, she was talking about the song "Tiny Dancer", in which the actual lyrics go, "Hold me closer, tiny dancer."

Wrongfully Accused

In Wrongfully Accused, Leslie Nielson quotes many Beatles lines. "The Beatles said it best, baby. She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah. Well listen, Michelle, My Belle, this Nowhere man is the Walrus. Coo Coo Cachoo!" It was supposed to be 'Goo Goo G'joob'

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

There's an excellent Rolling Stone article by Rian Malan, detailing the origins of this song. The song, originally called "Mbube" (Zulu for "the lion"). Pete Seeger, upon first hearing it, mistook the phrase "Uyimbube Uyimbube" for "awimoweh awimoweh" and recorded the song as "Wimoweh" in January 1952.

Snap.Com

They play the classic, and always unintelligible "Louie Louie" by the Kingsman. To which they make up some gibberish to display on the screen and "interpret" it to be about their new site.

The Vacant Lot

There's a sketch in which ther characters attempt to determine what the real lyrics are to the song, "Blinded By The Light". Please note, they still got it wrong in the end!