Ever belted out a Steve Miller Band classic at the top of your lungs, only to realize later you’ve been butchering the lyrics for decades?

You’re not alone—misheard lyrics (aka “mondegreens”) are a rite of passage for music fans, and the Steve Miller Band’s smooth, bluesy tunes are prime candidates for lyrical mix-ups.

Here are five hits you’ve probably been singing wrong—along with the correct versions and some hilarious fan confessions.

1. “The Joker” (1973): “Some People Call Me Maurice”

Misheard lyric: “Some people call me the space cowboy.”

Yes, the “space cowboy” line is correct—but fans often flub the next iconic phrase.

The real lyric is “Some people call me Maurice,” a nod to Miller’s childhood nickname.

Fun fact: A Reddit thread revealed dozens of fans thought it was “the space cowboysaurus,” proving imagination knows no bounds.

2. “Take the Money and Run” (1976): “Billy Mack Is a Detective”

Misheard lyric: “Billy Mack is a Texas eater.”

This outlaw anthem’s rapid-fire storytelling trips up even die-hard fans.

The correct line is “Billy Mack is a detective,” part of the song’s Bonnie-and-Clyde-style tale.

One fan tweeted, “I swore it was ‘Texas eater’ for 20 years. I pictured a guy just devouring BBQ mid-chase.”

3. “Jet Airliner” (1977): “Big Ol’ Jet Airliner”

Misheard lyric: “Big old Jed had a light on.”

Steve Miller’s laid-back delivery makes this chorus a minefield for mishearing.

The real lyric is “Big ol’ jet airliner,” but “Jed” theories abound.

A YouTube commenter joked, “I still sing ‘Jed’ because my brain refuses to accept the truth.”

4. “Rock’n Me” (1976): “I’ve Been Lookin’ for a Driver”

Misheard lyric: “I’ve been lookin’ for a giraffe.”

This road-trip anthem’s chorus seems straightforward—until you learn about the “giraffe” gang.

The actual line is “I’ve been lookin’ for a driver,” but fans insist the misheard version is more fun.

One Facebook group dedicated to misheard lyrics declared, “We’re team giraffe forever.”

5. “Abracadabra” (1982): “I Want to Reach Out and Grab Ya”

Misheard lyric: “I want to reach out and stab ya.”

This synth-heavy hit took a dark turn for some listeners.

The correct, far-less-murderous lyric is “grab ya,” fitting the song’s playful magic theme.

A TikTok duet trend even emerged with users acting out both versions—one romantic, one horror-movie worthy.

So, how many of these did you get wrong?

Misheard lyrics are a testament to music’s ability to spark joy (and confusion).

Next time you crank up “The Joker,” remember: Maurice is watching… and laughing.