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.
This page contains a list of the songs that have stories about their misheard lyrics submitted.
Song names are sorted by first letter, excluding A and The. This is sorted by song title only, not
by song title and performer. So if two different performers preformed the same song, you'll see
misheard lyrics for both on the same page (provided the song title was spelt the same both times, and
misheard lyrics have been submitted for both!).
Kaya album at Amazon.com
When I analyze the stench to me it makes a lot of sense
When I analyze these things to me it makes a lot of sense
The Story: Currently listening to an 80s Internet radio channel and they play this quite frequently. It doesn't matter how many times I look up the real lyrics to this song I cannot get "the stench" out of my head - Submitted by: Buffy Kei
I shot the sheriff
But I did not shoot the turkey.
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot no deputy.
The Story: A girl at school constantly misheard things. This was one of the most ridiculous. - Submitted by: Holly
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot him dead you see.
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot the deputy.
The Story: For more than 10 years I thought Bob was saying he merely injured the sheriff -- someone else was responsible for the murder. - Submitted by: David
Germans, Germans
Jammin', Jammin'
The Story: I was singing the right words quietly in the back of a car, when the two Germans sitting at the front turned around and asked what this song was about their countrymen. - Submitted by: giraffe
No woman, no pride
No woman, no cry
The Story: For years, I thought about how profound the misheard lyrics were. 'No woman, no pride', meaning a man without a partner in life has no pride. I was devastated when I learned these weren't the real lyrics. However, the real ones are pretty cool anyway. - Submitted by: Roger
Groovin, in Kinston Town
Groovin, in Kingston Town.
Groovin, it's Kingston 12
Groovin', it's Kingston 12.
The Story: I heard this as half Bob Marley and half of another artist and they come in after 'Groovin' and say 'In Kingston Town' It reallys sounds similar. - Submitted by: J.A.G
We'll shop from Father Bread
Jah provide the bread.
The Story: Spent ages trying to work out the lyrics as I used to sing it regularly in pubs. I sand this for years but no one ever noticed. - Submitted by: Paul
Jump rope past the bridge
or
Jethro pass the bread
Jah provide the bread
The Story: My best friend and I actually had an argument about this song when we were 15...she thought the line said 'jump rope past the bridge' and I thought it said 'Jethro pass the bread'. Her dad thought we were both nuts and told us what it said! - Submitted by: Amy
My fear is my only courage.
My feet are my only carriage.
The Story: Many people thought this was the right lyric. A friend of mine has it tattooed on her arm! - Submitted by: Shawn Simpson
Old pirates dressed as rabbis
Old pirates yes they rob I
The Story: Coffee hadn't kicked in yet. - Submitted by: Samantha Wells
New entries in this section are currently reviewed by Brian Kelly. Previous editors (if any) are listed on the editors page.
