For the Record: Misheard song lyrics

By KELLIE LAMBERT Republican-American

“Purple Haze,” Jimi Hendrix

The 1967 single was the opening number on the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s debut American album, and was many people’s exposure to the guitarist’s psychedelic sound. But that means they didn’t get the lyrics right. Many thought the line “Excuse me while I kiss the sky” was “Excuse me, while I kiss this guy.”

“Living on A Prayer,” Bon Jovi

The band’s signature song, released in 1986, has a line that many fans often mishear. “It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not” is often heard as “It doesn’t matter if we’re naked or not.”

“Dancing Queen,” ABBA

The 1976 tune has a few confusing audible moments. Some listeners hear “Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tangerine” when the line is actually “Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine…” Or hear “See that girl, watch her scream, kicking the dancing queen” instead of “see that girl, watch that scene, digging the dancing queen.”

“Blowin’ In the Wind,” Bob Dylan

The song about peace, war and freedom – released in 1962 – is a classic, but many listeners still get the lyrics wrong. A few hear “The ants are my friends, they’re blowin’ in the wind” instead of the classic lyric “The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind…”

“Tiny Dancer,” Elton John

The 1972 tune was never released as an official single, but still was certified gold for its sales. It found additional popularity after being featured in the 2000 film “Almost Famous,” where a younger generation likely started singing the misheard lyric “Hold me closer, Tony Danza” instead of “Hold me closer, tiny dancer.”