I’ll admit it; I’m old… old enough to not understand what in the world they are saying in many of the songs on the radio these days.  I thought this was just limited to some of the new top 40 stuff because they use those voice changing machines or have really quick, mumbled lyrics. Well, yesterday, while Ken and I were singing along to some music, I learned that it’s not.

Did you know that in the song “Need You Tonight” by INXS, Micheal Hutchence sings, “the 21st century’s yesterday”?  Well, good for you because for more than 20 years now I’ve thought he was singing “24 cents from yesterday” and had just assumed all this time that it was some pop-culture reference that I had failed to understand.   I was reminded that the same thing happened with the song “Voices Carry” by til Tuesday where for years I thought she was singing “This is scary” even though those particular lyrics are actually in the title.  Sigh.

If you think that’s bad, this ability to confidently sing along with the music using completely wrong words is apparently genetic.  My daughter on many occasions has come up with some great misheard lyrics.  Most of the time I just correct her and move on.  Sometimes, however, the words that flow incorrectly from her mouth are so beautiful it warrants them being sung her way forever.

Artist: Gavin Rossdale
Song: Love Remains the Same
Correct lyric: Gravity like lunar landing
Allison’s much better lyric: Gravity has noodles landing

Artist:  U2
Song: Vertigo
Correct Lyric: All of this, all of this can be yours.
Allison’s much better lyric: Olives, Olives and Eeyores.

And the best and the greatest so far…

Artist: Journey
Song: Separate Ways
Correct Lyric: Though we touched and went our separate ways.
Allison’s much better lyric: Larry touched the whale in second place.