We’ve all been there: singing along to exactly what we hear in a song, only to later realize that wasn’t what the artist was saying at all. Sometimes we correct ourselves. Other times we go all in and sing the wrong lyrics every time. Here are four of the funniest misheard lyrics, with the real lyrics included in case you want to adjust accordingly.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Waterfalls” by TLC
Misheard lyric: Don’t go Jason Waterfalls
Starting out strong with a misheard lyric from TLC’s hit 1994 song “Waterfalls.” Who is Jason Waterfalls, we ask, and why doesn’t TLC want him to go? Is Jason Waterfalls related to the “No Scrubs” guy, who is also known as a bus stop? The real lyrics are don’t go chasing waterfalls, of course, but in this instance, we’re content with the eternal mystery of Jason Waterfalls.
“Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Misheard lyric: There’s a bathroom on the right
This mistake hits close to home. When I was a kid I thought CCR was pointing out that there’s a bathroom on the right, as if they were giving directions to someone looking for a toilet. I have a vague memory of not being told the real lyrics until much later because someone in my family was easily amused. Come to find out, this isn’t a unique mistake; plenty of other listeners have mistakenly said there’s a bathroom on the right instead of the correct lyrics, which are there’s a bad moon on the rise.
“Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys
Misheard lyric: Concrete jungle wet dream tomato
This was a meme for a long time, and, I suppose, still is. It was mentioned in a Vine (remember that?) and took off from there. For me, these misheard lyrics are on par with a potato flew around my room before you came, which was also introduced on Vine. However, they’re also in a league all their own. The sheer fact that we got wet dream tomato out of where dreams are made of is comedy gold and internet history.
“This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” by Fall Out Boy
Misheard lyric: I’m a little man / and I’m also evil / also into cats
Here’s another personal one for me. My best friend told me about this one, and I haven’t been able to sing anything else since 2007. This chorus haunts me in the best way. Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy already has a tendency to mush his words together, and fans bring that up all the time. However, this is one instance where the misheard lyrics are so out of left field and yet perfectly reasonable. Just take a listen to I’m a leading man / and the lies I weave are / oh so intricate and tell me you don’t hear I’m a little man / and I’m also evil / also into cats. I’ll wait.
Featured Image by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
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