Look at the woman dancing in the car next to you at the stoplight, singing her heart out. Watch the party-goers compete with the karaoke system, shouting the words of their favorite hit songs of the moment. They think they know the words. They think they sound like the real thing. But despite the overkill of radio stations and MTV, many people have created their own version of the lyrics.
"When I don't know the words, I usually mumble, make up words or wait half a second so I hear the word and quickly say it," fourth-year Engineering student Jason Mattice said. "So I am a little behind but I'm still singing the song."
After listening to a line from Nelly's "Hot In Here," Mattice gave his rendition.
"I heard something like a phone in the basement, kickin' it like Jason, and then you're not safe unless you're loose."
Mattice seems to enjoy Nelly's beat but the lyrics do not quite match up. In actuality, Nelly says, "I gotta a friend with a pole in the basement (What?) I'm just kiddin like Jason (Oh) Unless you gon' do it. Extra, extra eh, spread the news."
While Mattice said he has heard "Hot in Here" over 30 times, third-year Architecture student Mathew Punsalon probably should feel more guilty about his lyric mishaps.
Although Punsalon said he has heard Sean Paul's "Gimme the Light" at least 100 times, he still doesn't know the words.
"I just make up new words every time I sing it," Punsalon said between bites of his Cranberry Farms mashed potatoes.
When Punsalon listened to part of the chorus, he said that the lyrics were "Just give me the light and pass the dro cause I got another limo."
Although Punsalon wasn't far off, the official words are "Jus gimme the ligh and pass the dro. Bust another bottle of moe."
Sitting across the table from Punsalon, third-year College student Natasha Logan said she hears "Gimme the Light" at every party and every time she turns on the radio.
"I usually just sing 'give me the light' and hum the rest," she said while giggling and trying to finish some Chick-fil-A.
Third-year College student Brandon Booker seemed to be a little more confident in his ability to decipher song lyrics.
"If I don't know the words, I will look it up if I am that pressed," Booker said. "But I normally know the words, and if I don't then I won't sing."
Booker choked, however, when it came to Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places." Booker said the chorus is "something about bending over in low places." Country music fans may be disappointed in Booker's lack of remorse for his blunder.
"I have never heard [the song], and I will never listen to it again," Booker said.
While some people may claim that the artists make up too many of the words, fans also detour from the original lyrics. In the end, however, it is all about how you want to enjoy the music.
Third-year College student Will Peng put it well: "I will try to sing along until I can't -- and then I'll just dance."
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