Does anyone actually know the words to It's The End Of The World As We Know It? I know "Leonard Bernstein" and "Jelly bean boom". That's it.
Not the lyrics, the music, because it sounds like Stevie's cover of Little Wing. Although, it might be Hendrix, instead.
I don't know why all the songs that I have thought of for this topic are ones that came out right around the beginning of my sophomore year of high school, but another one that I just remembered is "Fat Lip" by Sum 41. I would have sworn that the singer was repeating "enough bullshit" instead of "an abortion" at the end of that one verse towards the end of the song if I hadn't heard it on the radio and noticed that it wasn't bleeped out. I had to look up the lyrics to figure out what the hell he was saying, since it obviously couldn't have been "bullshit."
When I was young, I thought Fleetwood Mac's song Dreams said "When the rain washes you, clean your load" instead of "When the rain washes you clean, you'll know".
And I thought Elton John was happily singing, "I'm so sad. Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" Um, you don't sound sad... Oh, it's "I'm still standing"? Well, okay then.
My entire life I have not understood what the fuck the lead singer of Molly Hatchet was saying. Also: ...and if you actually think that video is sarcastic, listen to "Far Behind" by Candlebox and be proven wrong.
Most of the ones I misunderstand are just a word here or there, but sometimes those are critical to the song. Until I owned the Aja album, I didn't know the name of the Steely Dan was Peg. I always thought he was singing "heeeey, it will come back to you." And, just now, I was looking up the lyrics to see if "Peg" was included where he sings (says) it after the first verse . . . and I had no idea that the second verse is "pin shot" instead of "picture." I've never heard of a pin shot.
I don't know if this quite fits the thread, but I'll post it anyway: My mother was a good Christian woman, and as such was totally convinced that all modern rock 'n roll/metal actively promoted Satan and his evil plans. If only she knew that it was all a gimmick to sell records...
A few more I remember: I always thought Beck was singing "Soy, open the door...I'm a loser, baby, so why don't you kill me?" A friend of mine used to think that in "Hook" by Blues Traveler, during the fast-singing breakdown, they were saying "Catchy little tunes, I wanna kick you in the titties." Now I sing that every time I hear it.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun came on the radio last night and reminded me that it was only a few years ago that I realized she was saying "When the working day is done.." I believe I thought for decades that it was "When oh when can they have fun.."
My first radio job was in Northern B.C. and for a Mother's Day Contest we would play the first few seconds of a chorus and the caller would then have to sing the remainder of the verse. The winner of said contest would win flights and accommodation for a few nights in Calgary, AB. Why this is a prize, I don't know but I digress. So we get our finalist on the phone and we play her the lead in of Steve Miller's "Jet Airliner" But my love light seems so far away And I feel like it's all been done Somebody's tryin' to make me stay You know I've got to be movin' on.... And instead of singing: "Big ol' Jet Airliner!!! Don't carry me too far away," she sang: "Big OL' CAROOOLINNNA!" I tried to give her a second chance.. but she pooched it the second time and didn't win the prize. Thankfully our next contestant in line wasn't a complete idiot and got the lyrics right and won a majestic trip for two to Calgary. Cool stury huh? Now, excuse me.."While I kiss this guy..." I mean uhh.. "Kiss the sky.."