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Misheard Song Lyrics -> Stories -> Huey Lewis And The News

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!).


Fore! album at Amazon.com
Huey Lewis And The News', "Bad Is Bad"
The Misheard Lyrics:
But sometimes, sometimes mad is mad.
The Real Lyrics:
But sometimes, sometimes bad is bad.
The Story: This was during my short days between my graduation from Texas and my proposal to who is now my wife. I was trying to figure out what made Huey mad. On our honeymoon, I asked my new wife and she told me that the song is actually 'Bad is Bad'. I finally got what remained a mystery for months. - Submitted by: John C
Huey Lewis And The News', "Do You Believe In Love?"
The Misheard Lyrics:
I used to have you in a log cabin.
The Real Lyrics:
I used to have you in a photograph.
The Story: I got the misheard lyrics "I used to have you in a log cabin" from when I vacationed at Indian Rocks Beach, Florida in the summer of 1981, because the beach cottage that my mom (who is dead now), my sister and I stayed in was a log cabin (or so it resembled one), and I wanted to believe that those were the actual lyrics because the day we packed up to go back to Tampa (which is where I used to live), I was sad to have left that beach cottage and to never have seen that place again, and I wanted to remember our vacation. - Submitted by: Isac
Huey Lewis And The News', "Heart of Rock and Roll"
The Misheard Lyrics:
They say the heart of rock and roll is defeaten
And from what I've seen, I believe 'em.
The Real Lyrics:
They say the heart of rock and roll is a-beatin'
And from what I've seen, I believe 'em.
The Story: Considering how often I listen to Huey Lewis & The News, it's a bit odd for me to not have the lyrics memorized properly, but in this case, I've been wrong for many years. Even after I correct the line in my mind, I usually lapse back into using these misheard lyrics. I suppose I've just been modernizing the song in my mind, since rock-and-roll has been idle since the late 90's. - Submitted by: Michael
Huey Lewis And The News', "I Want A New Drug"
The Misheard Lyrics:
I want a new truck.
The Real Lyrics:
I want a new drug.
The Story: Back in the 1980s, my young ears heard, 'I Want a New Truck.' I did not even think that it could be about a drug. I wanted a new car and some of the new small import trucks with big tires were popular. I just figured a truck could make you feel all of the ways described in the song. I was not listening to carefully, or literally, to the lyrics, anyway. Years later, I realized that the song was about a new drug. Hilarious! Then, after I thought about it, I was shocked that the song was played on the radio, all the young kids had the album, and that there was no uproar about this song. These days, they edit songs like this and beep them out. - Submitted by: whit
Huey Lewis And The News', "I Want A New Drug"
The Misheard Lyrics:
I want a new truck.
The Real Lyrics:
I want a new drug.
The Story: Was on a road trip to Florida with my girlfriend and her sister. She was singing at the top of her lungs. We laughed so hard, we had to pull over. - Submitted by: Mason Mc
Huey Lewis And The News', "I Want A New Drug"
The Misheard Lyrics:
I want a new truck.
The Real Lyrics:
I want a new drug.
The Story: When my friend was about thirteen, she was singing all the lyrics to this song. She was singing that she wanted a new truck that wouldn't make her sick, wouldn't make her stay up all night... etc. - Submitted by: Suzanne Bennett
Huey Lewis And The News', "I Want A New Drug"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Wondering makes me feel the way I feel when I'm with you
When I'm in love with you.
The Real Lyrics:
One that makes me feel the way I feel when I'm with you
When I'm alone with you.
The Story: Every time he said 'one that...' I thought he said 'wondering'. As a kid I thought he was just talking about daydreaming about his girlfriend and never even noticed the 'drug' part. - Submitted by: Sarah
Huey Lewis And The News', "Stuck With You"
The Misheard Lyrics:
We are bound by Alderaan.
The Real Lyrics:
We are bound by all the rest.
The Story: Growing up in the 80s Star Wars was a lot of what I thought about and I thought he was singing about how they were from Alderaan, lol. - Submitted by: Shawn D
Huey Lewis And The News', "Stuck With You"
The Misheard Lyrics:
We are bound by Alvarez.
The Real Lyrics:
We are bound by all the rest.
The Story: I used to think that was what he was singing! Of course, I was a tween when this song was new, so I didn't really give it much of a second thought... Except for, "Who the heck is 'Alvarez?'" - Submitted by: Brian
Huey Lewis And The News', "The Heart Of Rock 'n' Roll"
The Misheard Lyrics:
The heart of rock 'n' roll is Topeka.
The Real Lyrics:
The heart of rock 'n' roll is still beatin'.
The Story: My grandmother heard this song and thought it was Topeka, because it sounds like it. Earlier in the song, it lists a bunch of other cities. The only thing she didn't get was that Topeka was known for rock 'n' roll, which it isn't. - Submitted by: Rebecca (Personica)
Huey Lewis And The News', "The Heart Of Rock And Roll"
The Misheard Lyrics:
T. C., San Antone, every little bitty town
Boston in a bathroom
Tulsa, Austin, Oklahoma City,
Yellow San Francisco girls
The Real Lyrics:
D. C., San Antone, and the Liberty Town
Boston and-a Baton Rouge
Tulsa, Austin, Oklahoma City,
Seattle, San Francisco too
The Story: T.C. is a major character in the 80s TV detective series "Magnum P.I.". I've been to Philadelphia twice before and it's exciting but ironically I knew its nickname to be "City of Brotherly Love" but not as the "Liberty Town" (I've been to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell pavilion too). LBNL, San Francisco is known for many unique things, including the largest Chinatown community on Earth - so that's how I misheard about the "yellow girls" (and guys) and there's plenty of them there! There's also a Japantown in S.F. too. So there you have it: ) - Submitted by: Child of the 80s
Huey Lewis And The News', "The Heart Of Rock'n' Roll"
The Misheard Lyrics:
The heart of rock and roll is Stebeetin.
The Real Lyrics:
The heart of rock and roll is still beating.
The Story: I asked my mom where Stebeetin was and she thought I was crazy. - Submitted by: Kristin
Huey Lewis And The News', "The Heart of Rock 'N Roll"
The Misheard Lyrics:
They say the heart of rock and roll is in Cleveland.
The Real Lyrics:
They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating.
The Story: I've been singing this song wrong for years. I thought it was a reference to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. It seemed to make sense when listing off names of places where Rock and Roll was going strong. When the place I work told me they would be paying for me to go to Cleveland, I was excited. I started singing it at home and my husband started laughing at me. - Submitted by: Jenny
Huey Lewis And The News', "The Heart of Rock and Roll"
The Misheard Lyrics:
DC sanintone and the liberty town
Boston and eat some stew
The Real Lyrics:
D.C., San Antone, and the liberty town
Boston and Baton Rouge.
The Story: can't believe it thought he was talking about clam chowder - Submitted by: path
Huey Lewis And The News', "The Heart of Rock and Roll"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Now the oboe may be there to greet them
The Real Lyrics:
Now the old boy maybe barely breathin'.
The Story: I swear I thought this was what he said until just today 10/14//17 - Submitted by: missie
Huey Lewis And The News', "The Power of Love"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Don't need a traffic cop
The Real Lyrics:
Don't need no credit card
The Story: Thought it had to do with a traffic cop. - Submitted by: Cody Finke
Huey Lewis And The News', "The Power of Love"
The Misheard Lyrics:
First time you see him, mmmmm Mickey man.
The Real Lyrics:
First time you feel it, it might make you sad
The Story: The Back to the Future movie of course. Back then we didn't have internet so couldn't look up the lyrics. So I always wondered why he said "Mickey man". So strange I thought ... - Submitted by: Jet Li 2020
Huey Lewis And The News', "The Power of Love"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Strong, and it's sudden
And it's cruel sometimes.
The Real Lyrics:
It's strong and it's sudden
But it'll be cool sometimes.
The Story: My friend thought this song was talking about the 'cruelty' of rejection. In fact, the song is talking about how while loving a girl can be emotional and sentimental, it can also be fun for the guy. - Submitted by: Twinpinesmall
Huey Lewis And The News', "Workin' for a Livin'"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Workin' for Eleven
The Real Lyrics:
Workin' for a Livin'
The Story: "A livin'" sounds a lot like 11! - Submitted by: Billy Hawes
Huey Lewis and The News', "I Want A New Drug"
The Misheard Lyrics:
I want a new truck.
The Real Lyrics:
I want a new drug.
The Story: This was actualy misheard by my ex-husband. When I questioned him on how the rest of the lyrics matched up, "'One that won't spill'. You know, 'Tip over' or 'Make your eyes turn red'?" His answer was, "You know, it has a good exhaust system". - Submitted by: Tammy Johnson
Huey Lewis and The News', "Jacob's Ladder"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Step by step, rung by rung
Time, it just doesn't matter.
The Real Lyrics:
Step by step, rung by rung
Climbing Jacob's ladder.
The Story: I spent almost 20 years wondering why the song was called 'Jacob's Ladder', given there appeared to be little mention about an actual ladder until just recently. I looked up both the lyrics to copy them for somebody else, discovered the correct ones, then got to educate myself about what a 'Jacob's Ladder' is (folk toy that is an endless 'ladder') -- gee, the song makes much more sense now! - Submitted by: Moggy
Huey Lewis and the News', "Back in Time"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Is this a business of 1999
The Real Lyrics:
Is this the 50s or 1999?
The Story: I was just a child when I heard this, and misheard "the fifties" as "a business;" thinking they were going to tend to business in the year 1999! - Submitted by: David
Huey Lewis and the News', "Bad Is Bad"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Across the street a neon sign
All you can eat for a dollar ninety nine
Arsehole stew is the baddest in the land
But uh one dollar's worth is all that I can stand
The Real Lyrics:
Across the street a neon sign
All you can eat for a dollar ninety nine
Our soul stew is the baddest in the land
But uh one dollar's worth is all that I can stand
The Story: I was just singing along to this song in my car, and then I hit the rewind button a few times when I realized how similar the pronunciation is to a stew that I would not be able to keep down $1.00 of. Was Huey making a little tongue in cheek joke here? - Submitted by: Jeff
Huey Lewis and the News', "Couple Days Off"
The Misheard Lyrics:
I need a little loving only you know what I mean
The Real Lyrics:
I need a little R and R if you know what I mean
The Story: All lyrics site said that loving only is correct, but I've bought the original sheet music book and he says R and R, which stays for Rest and Relaxation - Submitted by: Michele Krnjak (19 years old)
Huey Lewis and the News', "Do You Believe in Love"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Do you believe it's you?
The Real Lyrics:
Do you believe it's true?
The Story: I thought they would believe in themselves! - Submitted by: Cody Finke
Huey Lewis and the News', "Hip to Be Square"
The Misheard Lyrics:
I f*** my fans in mini-suits
The Real Lyrics:
I like my bands in business suits
The Story: I always thought he said that in the song, but I only discovered recently he doesn't say that. - Submitted by: Babo421
Huey Lewis and the News', "Hip to Be Square"
The Misheard Lyrics:
It's hip to be scared
The Real Lyrics:
It's hip to be square
The Story: I could have sworn if it were Halloween and it was really hip to be scared! - Submitted by: Cody Finke
Huey Lewis and the News', "I Know What I Like"
The Misheard Lyrics:
I like things that go fat
The Real Lyrics:
I like things that go fast
The Story: Who would want to talk about obesity? - Submitted by: Cody Finke
Huey Lewis and the News', "I Want a New Drug"
The Misheard Lyrics:
I want RuPaul
The Real Lyrics:
I want a new drug
The Story: I swear Huey Lewis wanted a drag queen... - Submitted by: Cody Finke
Huey Lewis and the News', "I Want a New Drug"
The Misheard Lyrics:
I want a new job.
The Real Lyrics:
I want a new drug.
The Story: My girlfriend always sings along to this as "I want a new job" and I don't have the heart to correct her. - Submitted by: Junce
Huey Lewis and the News', "If This Is It"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Picture This
The Real Lyrics:
If this is it
The Story: "Picture This" is the name of their 1982 album. - Submitted by: California Sun
Huey Lewis and the News', "Once Upon A Time In New York City"
The Misheard Lyrics:
How can anyone stay stubby-eyed
When it’s raining cats and dogs outside
The Real Lyrics:
How can anyone stay starry-eyed
When it’s raining cats and dogs outside
The Story: I had no idea what “stubby-eyed” was supposed to mean. - Submitted by: Hu’s On First
Huey Lewis and the News', "The Heart Of Rock And Roll"
The Misheard Lyrics:
D.C., San Antone, every little bitty town, Boston in a bathroom
Tulsa, Austin, Oklahoma City, yellow San Francisco girls
The Real Lyrics:
D.C., San Antone, and the Liberty town, Boston and Baton Rouge
Tulsa, Austin, Oklahoma City, Seattle, San Francisco too
The Story: I should've discerned the "Liberty town" part - I had already visited Philly twice before the song came out! Also, I never heard of Baton Rouge being a rock'n'roll mecca (but New Orleans certainly is!). As for the "yellow San Francisco girls" I misheard that notion because San Francisco has a famous large Chinatown. And we all know about "life on the road and groupies" bromides found in many songs. Put all these factors together and this is I misinterpreted. - Submitted by: Travelling Man
Huey Lewis and the News', "The Heart of Rock and Roll"
The Misheard Lyrics:
The oboe may be barely breathin'
or
The Omar may be there to greet 'em
The Real Lyrics:
The old boy may be barely breathing
The Story: I'll never forget driving through the Montana Rockies in the middle of the night a couple of summers ago with my best friend. We were exhausted from travelling all day so I put in an 80's cd to perk us up. The Heart of Rocka and Roll came on, and I belted out at the top of my lungs, 'The Omar may be there to greet 'em', and Jenn started cracking up and told me it was 'The oboe may be barely breathin'', and we both laughed so hard we almost didn't make it around the corner. Now I can flaunt it in her face that she was wrong too! - Submitted by: Trae Crowe
Huey Lewis and the News', "The Heart of Rock and Roll"
The Misheard Lyrics:
They say the heart of rock and roll is in Cleveland
The Real Lyrics:
They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating
The Story: Thanks to a YouTube comment; it kind of makes sense since Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. - Submitted by: Cody Finke
Huey Lewis and the News', "The Power Of Love"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Change a hawk, into a little white girl
The Real Lyrics:
Change a hawk, into a little white dove
The Story: I never understood why anyone would want to turn a hawk into a little white girl until I read the real lyrics - Submitted by: Fluffeh
Huey Lewis and the News', "The Power of Love"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Prince likes "Cream"
The Real Lyrics:
Rich like cream
The Story: The song predates the song "Cream" by Prince by six years - around that time, Prince was with his hit song "Raspberry Beret" from his Around the World in a Day album. Loved this song from the film Back to the Future. - Submitted by: Cody Finke
Huey Lewis and the News', "The Power of Love"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Tougher than diamonds, Prince and Cream
The Real Lyrics:
Tougher than diamonds, rich like cream
The Story: I always thought this was a shout-out reference to musician Prince and rock band Cream. - Submitted by: Cody Finke
Huey Lewis and the News', "Walking on a Thin Line"
The Misheard Lyrics:
Rockin' on the Big Time
The Real Lyrics:
Walkin' on a thin line
The Story: When I was 8 it was tricky to decipher rock lyrics! In fact I often focused on the chorus and repeated it, annoying adults and teens who in retrospect deserved even worse. The song seemed so upbeat, I couldn't quite catch the verses. But I was pretty sure I'd nailed down the chorus! Years later, when I bought a used cassette tape of Sports, I was shocked at the lyrics I'd figured out. - Submitted by: Andrew Schultz
Huey Lewis and the News', "Want a New Drug"
The Misheard Lyrics:
I want a new truck, one that won't quit
The Real Lyrics:
I want a new drug, one that won't quit.
The Story: My sister thought, 'I want a new truck', was the correct lyric and would sing it that way every time the song was on the radio. - Submitted by: Mary

There are more Huey Lewis And The News misheard lyrics available.

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