Mondegreens can be funny things. Even the source of the word is a mondegreen itself was coined out of a misinterpretation. Mondegreens are a misinterpretation of words often heard in song lyrics. These can be associated with malapropisms, but rather than saying incorrect words, they are heard incorrectly. These misinterpretations can often be readjusted using various context cues. Personally, there have been quite a number of times that I’ve misinterpreted words and phrases from lyrics of different genres and languages. One of my most fondest memories was trying to figure out what Missy Elliot was saying (and doing) in her video “The Rain.”

At the time, I had always thought that the chorus of the song went (mind you this is how it would be if i were to sing it aloud): “I can’t stand the raaaaaiiiiiin. Still smilin though.”

The actual lyric was ”against my window.” (I still can’t figure out what she’s doing in that video).

Another mondegreen moment I remember ocurred while listening to the Gorillaz song “19/2000.” The first time I heard the chorus, I thought that Noodle was singing: “Get the cool, get the cool shoes sean.” I never considered contesting this, after all, I love cool shoes. Plus having your name said in a song is a good experience.

This was quickly adjusted after one of my colleagues (unfortunately) decided to correct me by telling me Noodle was saying “shoeshine.”

Apparently I am not the only one who has had mondegreen moments, a quick search on youtube provided plenty of examples: