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!).
Donovan's Greatest Hits album at Amazon.com
Ah, but amazed, I'll try and catch the wind.
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.
The Story: Nothing particularly humorous other than the incongruity of this song in the service of selling Volvos. I'd actually never heard it, to my recollection, until the recent ad. I originally thought a cover by Dylan was used, but it appears he never did it. I'm not sure who's singing in the ad, but doesn't sound like Donovan to me. - Submitted by: D Latimer
Ah, but amis I'll try and cache the wind.
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.
The Story: I merrily sang the lyrics ' a la Marseillese' for more than 30 years without correction from any quarter or 'quartier' for that matter. Only when taking up the guitar late in life did I realise my mistake. 'Quelle horreure!'. - Submitted by: Gerry Burns
Ah, but I mereswell try and catch the wind.
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.
The Story: I'm a diehard Donovan fan. Before we were married, my husband used this quote on a little love note to me. I couldn't help but giggle and ask him what the heck he thought THAT was supposed to mean and that he better get his Donovan lyrics right before he starts quoting them to me! We've been married 12 years and still giggle at this silly thing. - Submitted by: Toni S
Yes verillo
Yes very low
The Story: The above was the subject of a heated but humorous debate between myself and my partner, resulting in much rummaging in dusty old cupboards & calls to equally ancient friends. I was determined to prove that 'Old hippies like Donovan used the word 'verillo''in the above context. Wrong after all as it turns out - in fact one could almost say VeriNo! or even 'EggOnFaceO' - Submitted by: D Pryde
Gonna have forever to fly
Wind check velocity nil
Gonna have forever to fly
If you watch Kung Power Phil.
Born-a high forever to fly
Wind-a velocity nil
Born-a high forever to fly
If you want your cup, I will fill.
The Story: I have a friend named Phil, and I always wondered if Donovan did too! - Submitted by: Demonpreyer
They call me man, oh yeah now.
They call me Mellow Yellow.
The Story: When this song came out, my daughter's aunt was a teenager. Being Chinese, this was the way Aunt Claudia heard the lyric. - Submitted by: John Groves
There are more Donovan misheard lyrics available.
New entries in this section are currently reviewed by Karen. Previous editors (if any) are listed on the editors page.
Would you like to Submit some Misheard Lyrics for a song We're always looking
for more entries.
Disclaimer: amIright.com makes no claims to the accuracy of the correct lyrics.
All correct lyrics are copyrighted, amIright.com does not claim ownership of the original lyrics.
