A poll by hearing aid manufacturers Amplifon has discovered that the most misheard lyric in the UK is the line "you make the best of what's still around" from 'When The World Is Running Down' by The Police, which many of us think is "you make the best homemade stew around".
The company's director, Enrico Vacca said: "Some people go for years singing the wrong lyrics to their favourite songs. We heard some brilliant misquotes during our research that had us in stitches. However, there's a serious side to the survey as it highlights the sad fact that in the UK alone there is an estimate nine million people classed as deaf or hard of hearing and four million of those are not receiving any form of treatment at all".
The full list, with examples of misheard lyrics for each, is as follows:
1. The Police – When The World Is Running You Down
Correct: "You make the best of what's still around"
Misheard: "You make the best homemade stew around"
2. The Bee Gees – Stayin' Alive
Correct: "It's alright, it's okay, you may look the other way"
Misheard: "It's alright, it's okay, you make love the other way"
3. The Beatles – Lucy In Ihe Sky With Diamonds
Correct: "The girl with kaleidoscope eyes"
Misheard: "The girl with colitis goes by"
4. U2 – Mysterious Ways
Correct: "She moves in mysterious ways"
Misheard: "Shamu the mysterious whale"
5. The Beatles – Michelle
Correct: "Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont tres bien ensemble, tres bien ensemble"
Misheard: "Michelle ma belle, some say monkeys play piano well, play piano well.
6. Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
Correct: "Scaramouche, scaramouche, will you do the Fandango"
Misheard: "Scallaboosh, Scallaboosh, will you do the banned tango"
7. The Police – Message In A Bottle
Correct: "A year has passed since I wrote my note"
Misheard: "A year has passed since I broke my nose"
8. David Bowie – Changes
Correct: "Strange fascination fascinating me"
Misheard: "Strange vaccinations are killing me"
9. Oasis – Wonderwall
Correct: "You're gonna be the one that saves me"
Misheard: "You're gonna be the one at Sainsbury's"
10. Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights
Correct: "Heathcliff! It's me, Cathy and I've come home oh, so cold, let me in-a your window"
Misheard: "Healthcliff! It's me, I'm a tree, I'm a wombat, oh, so cold at the end of your winter"