Song sung in English for which it's hardest to discern the lyrics

Paul Epstein

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Jun 6, 2021, 7:24:15 AM6/6/21

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Perhaps this stretches the subject of "English usage", but I wonder
which well-known song, sung in English has the hardest lyrics to discern.
I don't mean understanding the meaning. I mean just knowing what the
lyrics are. My candidate would be the Cocteau Twins' "Pearly Dewdrops Drops".

Paul Epstein

phil

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Jun 6, 2021, 7:47:14 AM6/6/21

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'Into the Valley' by The Skids. This guy made a brave attempt:

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUSxNaCIWak>

spains...@gmail.com

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Jun 6, 2021, 8:14:33 AM6/6/21

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In a similar vein this Woodstock clip: "hoggify".

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcLnuEpQ1yg>

Peter Moylan

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Jun 6, 2021, 8:57:19 AM6/6/21

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I used to have a problem with "The Two Magicians", in particular with
the lines "You never shall have my maidenhead to tie a pencil on". An
AUE regular - sorry, I forget who it was - supplied me with the correct
words, but I don't know how ey figured it out.

The song "I will follow him" seems to start with the words "He did it,
he did it, he did it, and now he won't admit it", but I'm aware that
that's the fault of my quirky brain rather than lack of clarity.

--
Peter Moylan Newcastle, NSW http://www.pmoylan.org

Paul Epstein

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Jun 6, 2021, 10:31:36 AM6/6/21

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The Skids is a good find which makes me glad I asked this (not particularly brilliant) question.
I really enjoy the catchiness whenever they go (I don't know whether to use "sing" here) "Ahoy! Ahoy!"

Paul Epstein

Jerry Friedman

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Jun 6, 2021, 10:52:07 AM6/6/21

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The original version of "Louie Louie", by the Kingsmen, is often suggested,
but I haven't compared it to your candidate or phil's.

I don't know whether the spoken section of "Sheep", by Pink Floyd, counts as
lyrics, but if it weren't on the lyric sheet, a lot of listeners wouldn't even know
it existed.

--
Jerry Friedman

Paul Epstein

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Jun 6, 2021, 12:58:53 PM6/6/21

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Louie Louie wins for me, but Phil's candidate is also good.
And it's kind of funny because they shout/sing "Ahoy! Ahoy!" perfectly clearly like
we can't miss that part, even though we don't have a clue what the main song is about.

Paul Epstein

Lewis

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Jun 6, 2021, 3:08:42 PM6/6/21

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In message <s9icju$d39$1...@dont-email.me> phil <ph...@anonymous.invalid> wrote:
> On 06/06/2021 12:24, Paul Epstein wrote:
>> Perhaps this stretches the subject of "English usage", but I wonder
>> which well-known song, sung in English has the hardest lyrics to discern.

That is not a question anyone can answer as a general rule, as it will
be different for different people.

>> I don't mean understanding the meaning. I mean just knowing what the
>> lyrics are. My candidate would be the Cocteau Twins' "Pearly Dewdrops Drops".

This will get you started:

<https://www.kissthisguy.com>

> 'Into the Valley' by The Skids. This guy made a brave attempt:

> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUSxNaCIWak>

<https://genius.com/The-pied-pipers-mairzy-doats-lyrics>
"Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey
A kiddley divey too, wouldn't you?
Yes! Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey
A kiddley divey too, wouldn't you?"

The song that might have the most variety of misunderstood lyrics might
be "Blinded By the Light"

<https://www.kissthisguy.com/blinded-by-the-light-manfred-manns-earth-misheard-song-1829.htm>

--
"Are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"I think so, Brain, but if we give peas a chance, won't the lima
beans feel left out?"

Chrysi Cat

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Jun 6, 2021, 9:01:10 PM6/6/21

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I might go with "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

I very much suspect that Weird Al still might, unless he thinks he made
"Smells Like Nirvana" prematurely.

--
Chrysi Cat
1/2 anthrocat, nearly 1/2 anthrofox, all magical
Transgoddess, quick to anger. [she/her. Misgender and die].
Call me Chrysi or call me Kat, I'll respond to either!