Disc-Lexia

Originally posted May 25/2007 on "Allison Wonderland"



Does anyone else have serious problems with mishearing song lyrics? I can often figure out what people are actually saying (singing) when I've heard the song a few times, but there are a lot of songs that, no matter how overplayed they are, I can just never figure out. In fact, even after I've found out what the singer is supposedly saying, I still hear what I heard the first time.

OK, I know I'm not the only one. There are page-a-day calendars of this stuff out there. There's a comedian (darned if I can remember who it is- anyone know?) who talks about his mom mishearing "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and singing "...The girl with colitis goes by!"

For example: Remember the blessedly-short-lived-as-a-single Jessica Simpson song "A Public Affair"? I won't hold it against you if you don't. Anyway, AJ and I could NOT figure out why, in the chorus, she whined "All the camels come out for a public affair". WTF? Camels?!! We actually looked it up: according to the interweb, she's saying "cameras", not "camels". I still hear camels (though not if I can avoid hearing it altogether). I like my version better.

Others for which I still have no idea what the correct lyrics are include:

Swen Stefani, "Sweet Escape": "I must apologize for actin', stinkin', treatin' you this way"

Len, "Steal My Sunshine" (remember this one?): "My stinky palms were into making stars, and I beg my serpent treats"

Shakira & Beyonce, "Beautiful Liar" (2nd verse): "I walked in on your machine- slow down, Sis!"

Oh, and I know Hayley remembers "Save your sisters for someone else's kin..." I don't even remember who does that one, but it sure was funny last summer.

I know I've got more, but I've embarrassed myself enough for one day. Now it's your turn: please, please leave a comment with lyrics you've misheard... don't leave me hanging here, people!