Muddled Lyrics

Everybody’s misheard something on the radio. Come on. There are songs I heard in the 1970s that I still don’t know the right lyrics. They actually invented a word for this – mondegreen. Here are a few of my favorites:

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bad Moon Risin
What they said: There’s a bad moon on the rise
What we heard: There’s a bathroom on the right

Elton John – Bennie and the Jets
What he said: She’s got electric boots, a mohair suit…
What we heard: She’s got electric boobs, and no hair too…

Rolling Stones – Beast of burden
What he said: I’ll never be your beast of burden
What we heard: I’ll never leave your pizza burning

Jimmy Buffet – Cheeseburger in Paradise
What he said: Cheeseburger in Paradise
What we heard: Sheets burnin’ and a pair of dikes

Elton John – Tiny Dancer
What he said: Hold me closer, tiny dancer
What we heard: Hold me closer, Tony Danza

And by no means is this limited to popular music. This goes back to simple children’s songs:

What it should be: All-ye All-ye out and free
What we heard: Olly Olly Oxen-free