The funniest misheard lyrics of all time

13 May 2025, 13:27

Ever made a fool of yourself singing misheard lyrics at karaoke?

Before Google helped us find out what the actual words were to our favourite songs, we had to hope and pray that the artists were kind enough to include a lyric sheet.

Without that, or still today if we're hearing a song on the radio somewhere, we have to rely on our ears and brains to piece things together.

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The results are varied.

And with even the most accomplished singers having to wrestle the words into a tune, sometimes things don't sound exactly as intended, with the odd hilarious mondegreen slipping into the lexicon?

Below we've rounded up some of the most common – and funny – actually misheard lyrics of all time.

1. The Beatles: I Want To Hold Your Hand

   

   The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand - Performed Live On The Ed Sullivan Show 2/9/64

   Misheard lyric: I get high!

   Actual lyric: I can't hide!

2. Jimi Hendrix: Purple Haze

   

   The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Purple Haze (Live at the Atlanta Pop Festival)

   Misheard lyric: 'scuse me while I kiss this guy

   Actual lyric: 'scuse me while I kiss the sky

3. ABBA: Dancing Queen

   

   ABBA - Dancing Queen (Official Music Video)

   Misheard lyric: Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tangerine

   Actual lyric: Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine

4. Johnny Nash: I Can See Clearly Now

   

   Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now (1972)

   Misheard lyric: I can see clearly now Lorraine has gone

   Actual lyric: I can see clearly now the rain has gone

5. Bon Jovi: Livin' On A Prayer

   

   Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer

   Misheard lyric: It doesn't make a difference if we're naked or not

   Actual lyric: It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not

6. Eagles: Hotel California

   

   Eagles - Hotel California (Live 1977) (Official Video) [HD]

   Misheard lyric: On a dark desert highway, Cool Whip in my hair

   Actual lyric: On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair

7. Fleetwood Mac: Say You Love Me

   

   Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me (Live) (Official Video) [HD]

   Misheard lyric: I'm begging you for a little sip of tea

   Actual lyric: I'm begging you for a little sympathy

8. Black Sabbath: Paranoid

   

   BLACK SABBATH - "Paranoid" (Official Video)

   Misheard lyric: I tell you to end your life, I wish I could, but it's too late

   Actual lyric: I tell you to enjoy life, I wish I could, but it's too late

9. Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bad Moon Rising

   

   Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising (Official Lyric Video)

   Misheard lyric: There's a bathroom on the right

   Actual lyric: There's a bad moon on the rise

10. Dire Straits: Money For Nothing

    

    Dire Straits - Money For Nothing (Official Music Video)

    Misheard lyric: Money for nothin' and chips for free

    Actual lyric: Money for nothin' and chicks for free

11. Manfred Mann: Blinded By The Light

    

    Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded By The Light (Watch 1978)

    Misheard lyric: Wrapped up like a douche

    Actual lyric: Revved up like a deuce

12. Billy Joel: We Didn't Start The Fire

    

    Billy Joel - We Didn't Start the Fire (Official HD Video)

    Misheard lyric: Bacon-making Palestine/We love torture, Sally Ride

    Actual lyric: Bagan, Reagan Palestine, Wheel of Fortune, Sally Ride

13. ELO: Don't Bring Me Down

    

    Electric Light Orchestra - Don't Bring Me Down (Official Video)

    Misheard lyric: Don't bring me down, Bruce

    Actual lyric: Don't bring me down, grooose (a made-up word when Jeff Lynne needed an extra syllable)