For today's Thursday 13, I offer up a list of misheard lyrics:
1. “Blinded by the Light” – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
For years, I heard it as “Wrapped up like an edition of the Roller in the night,” which honestly sounds like something out of a surreal 1970s magazine spread. The actual lyric is “revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night,” with “deuce” referring to a ’32 Ford coupe. Once you know that, the line finally makes sense — but the misheard versions are far more fun.
2. “Tiny Dancer” – Elton John
“Hold me closer, Tony Danza” has become a cultural touchstone. The real line is gentler and decidedly not about a sitcom star. The real line is "Hold me closer, tiny dancer."
3. “Bad Moon Rising” – Creedence Clearwater Revival
“There’s a bathroom on the right” is so common that Fogerty has leaned into it onstage. The real lyric warns of trouble, not plumbing. The real line is "There's a bad moon on the rise," although I have misheard it as "There's a bad moon on the right," myself.
4. “I Can See Clearly Now” – Johnny Nash
Many hear “I can see clearly now, Lorraine is gone,” as if poor Lorraine had been the problem all along. It’s the rain that’s gone, not a person. "I can see clearly now, the rain is gone," is the actual line.
5. “We Will Rock You” – Queen
Some listeners swear they hear “Kicking your cat all over the place.” It’s “can,” not “cat,” though the beat makes it easy to mishear. The actual line is "kicking your can all over the place."
Some listeners swear they hear “Kicking your cat all over the place.” It’s “can,” not “cat,” though the beat makes it easy to mishear. The actual line is "kicking your can all over the place."
6. “Like a Virgin” – Madonna
The misheard “Like a surgeon” became so iconic that Weird Al turned it into a full parody. But it's really, "like a virgin."
The misheard “Like a surgeon” became so iconic that Weird Al turned it into a full parody. But it's really, "like a virgin."
7. “Africa” – Toto
The line about blessing the rains often morphs into “I miss the rains” or “I guess it rains,” depending on the listener’s expectations. The line is "I bless the rains down in Africa,"
8. “Every Time You Go Away” – Paul Young
“You take a piece of meat with you” is a surprisingly common mishearing. It’s “me,” not “meat,” though the vowel stretch invites confusion. "You take a piece of me with you," is the real line.
9. “Dancing Queen” – ABBA
Some listeners hear “You can dance, you can die,” which gives the song an oddly ominous twist. The real lyric is “You can dance, you can jive,” but the bright delivery blurs “jive” just enough that the ear sometimes takes a darker detour.
Some listeners hear “You can dance, you can die,” which gives the song an oddly ominous twist. The real lyric is “You can dance, you can jive,” but the bright delivery blurs “jive” just enough that the ear sometimes takes a darker detour.
10. “Livin’ on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
The line about making it “or not” sometimes becomes “if we’re naked or not,” which is . . . a different kind of struggle.
The line about making it “or not” sometimes becomes “if we’re naked or not,” which is . . . a different kind of struggle.
11. “Desperado” – Eagles
A subtle one: some listeners add an extra “to” at the end of the final line, softening the urgency and changing the rhythm. The real lyric is “You better let somebody love you before it’s too late,” which lands more firmly without that extra syllable the ear wants to sneak in.
A subtle one: some listeners add an extra “to” at the end of the final line, softening the urgency and changing the rhythm. The real lyric is “You better let somebody love you before it’s too late,” which lands more firmly without that extra syllable the ear wants to sneak in.
12. “Rapture” – Blondie
Debbie Harry’s rapid-fire delivery turns “man from Mars” into “men from bars” and “eating cars” into “eating corn” for many listeners.
Debbie Harry’s rapid-fire delivery turns “man from Mars” into “men from bars” and “eating cars” into “eating corn” for many listeners.
13. “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen
That fleeting moment where it sounds like the mother might be the one who “killed a man” — an easy mishearing in the operatic swirl. The line is, "Momma, just killed a man," except the comma doesn't seem to make it into the song.
That fleeting moment where it sounds like the mother might be the one who “killed a man” — an easy mishearing in the operatic swirl. The line is, "Momma, just killed a man," except the comma doesn't seem to make it into the song.
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Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here if you want to read other Thursday Thirteens and/or play along. I've been playing for a while, and this is my 947th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.
*An AI tool helped me put this list together.*
