Misheard lyrics (also called mondegreens) occur when people misunderstand the lyrics in a song. These are NOT intentional rephrasing of lyrics, which is called parody.
For more information about the misheard lyrics available on this site, please read our FAQ.
This page contains a list of the songs that have stories about their misheard lyrics submitted.
Song names are sorted by first letter, excluding A and The. This is sorted by song title only, not
by song title and performer. So if two different performers preformed the same song, you'll see
misheard lyrics for both on the same page (provided the song title was spelt the same both times, and
misheard lyrics have been submitted for both!).
I have no doubt
that I'll get up again
you're never going to take me down
I get knocked down
but then I get up again
they're never going to keep me down
The Story: I first heard this song in middle school, during Gym class. Like all good middle schoolers, I acted like an idiot and started singing along (of course, with the misheard lyrics.) All of the kids starting looking at me and laughing, and I couldn't figure out what the deal was until I bought the album weeks later to discover my stupidity. - Submitted by: Nick Rosencrans
I get knocked down but I get up again
Go to heaven on a big guitar
I get knocked down but I get up again
And they're never gonna keep me down
The Story: I used to sing these misheard lyrics, and my toddler came up to me one day holding a Kleenex box with a picture of an angel playing a mandolin. My daughter was so excited and said, "It's true Mom! You do go to heaven on a big guitar!" - Submitted by: Maureen
I get knocked down, like an elephant.
I get knocked down, but I get up again.
The Story: In college, my best friend and I were driving around all day while singing along to the songs from the radio. That night, we were hanging out with my roommate. She put on the album and we started singing at the top of our lungs. Suddenly, we noticed that my roommate was looking at us like we were complete idiots. Of course, to save face, we tried to convince her that we were right since there were two of us. She didn't buy it. - Submitted by: Miss Understood
I get knocked down
By an overhead
I get knocked down
But I get up again.
The Story: I was listening to this song on my computer, and my little brother heard it. He promptly became obsessed with it. As we were riding in the car the next day, he began to sing, 'I get knocked down, by an overhead, you never gonna keep me down!' I sat there staring at him and laughing. - Submitted by: Lauren
I get knocked up like an open book.
I get knocked down, but I get up again.
The Story: My friends and I sang along to this song in the car just about every time it came on the radio. Then one day, while singing, one of my friends decided to turn the radio down to throw us off. Alana sang at the top of her lungs, 'I get knocked up like an open book.' The rest of us burst out laughing and a debate ensued about the actual lyrics. We tried to convince Alana that open books can't get knocked up! - Submitted by: Annie's Friend Alana
I get no doubt
But I get over it
If I ever own a lead guitar.
I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down.
The Story: I thought the song was about a guy that wanted to be in a band. That is until I mentioned it to my high school students, who thought it was hilarious. They corrected me. - Submitted by: Lisa
New entries in this section are currently reviewed by Brian Kelly. Previous editors (if any) are listed on the editors page.
