If you think the Beatles used to sing about a “chicken to ride” (vs. “ticket to ride”), you’re not alone. But the phenomenon of misheard lyrics did not end when the Beatles broke up. In fact, it’s plaguing Taylor Swift fans ““ and anyone who listens to a top-40 station ““ right now.
In Swift’s latest hit single “Black Space,” listeners think she feels badly for coffee fanatics ““ instead of talking about her exes. The song says, “Got a long list of ex-lovers.” What people are hearing is, “All the lonely Starbucks lovers.” That’s because of a mondgreen.
A what?
New York magazine explains that your brain is causing you to mishear lyrics. We hear what we expect to be there, not necessarily what is actually there. Mondegreen is a term that dates back to 1954 and has to do with misinterpreted lyrics from a Scottish ballad.
A few classic examples:
- “Dirty deeds done to sheep.” (vs. “Dirty deeds and they’re done dirt cheap.”) ““ ACDC
- “There’s a bathroom on the right.” (vs. “There’s a bad moon on the rise.”) ““ Creedence Clearwater
- “Dead ants are my friends; they’re blowin’ in the wind.” (vs. “The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind.”) ““ Bob Dylan
- “The girl with colitis goes by.” (vs. “The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.”) ““ The Beatles
- “Donuts make my brown eyes blue.” (vs. “Don’t it make my brown eyes blue.”) ““ Crystal Gale
- “Every time you go away you take a piece of meat with you.” (vs. “Every time you go away you take a piece of me with you.”) ““ Paul Young
- “Sleep in heavenly peas.” (vs. “Sleep in heavenly peace.”) ““ Silent Night, Christmas carol
What are some songs you’ve sang incorrectly before finding out the real lyrics? Share your favorite mondegreens with us on Facebook.
