A: Probably the most misheard lyric of all-time comes from the chorus of the song “Blinded by the Light,” popularized in 1976 by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. We hear: “Blinded by the light, wrapped up like a douche into the rotor in the night.” Obviously, it’s the use of the word douche that catches everyone’s attention. How does a douche get wrapped up, you wonder, and what’s it doing inside a rotor?
Ah, but here’s the rub. The lyric is actually written: “Blinded by the light, revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night.” Believe it or not, Deuce is actually ‘60s slang for a 1932 Ford, or a “deuce coupe,” which explains why it can be revved up and run. Even more unbelievable, however, is the fact that this infamous lyric was actually penned by none other than Bruce Springsteen and performed on his debut album, Greetings From Asbury Park. Of course, the Boss probably had a curious reaction the first time he heard his deuce coupe suddenly transformed into a feminine hygiene product.
Article comments
1 - Donnie Marler
LOL, thank you. I've been trying to convince my wife for twenty years that he doesn't say 'douche.' Maybe this will finally get through to her!
BTW, the last 'douche' I saw wrapped up just wouldn't get with the program and needed worked over. lol. Blanket party!!!
2 - Vern Halen
I finally bought the Roaring Silence a few years back - a terrible album - one great cover song single surrounded by pretensious filler.
3 - S.T.M
Sorry guys, but I must brag that I always knew it was "revved up like a deuce" and "runner in the night" but for the life of me, I could never really bloody work out what came in between, although I always suspected it was "another". Now I know.
Thanks. Great band too. (Ooh aah. I'm starting to feel a bit fearful just thinking about some of the things I did listening to the stuff from that era.)
It wasn't easy being "green".
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
I'm still waiting for Hendrix to get done kissing that guy.
5 - STM
Or playing guitar with his tongue ....
6 - Salad & Bear
Tune!!! We always thought that he said "rack off like a douche" - what a great song that would have been! But pleased to finally discover the true meaning of the lyrics. On another note, can anyone fathom the actual meaning of this song as a whole???
7 - homey
It was originally "CUT LOOSE LIKE A DUECE"
8 - COBRA
Yes, knowing the correct lyrics is one thing, but what the devil does it all mean??
9 - Big Willy
OK, to whatever know-it-(almost)all that wrote this first gibberish answer, you are incorrect. The lyric "revved up like a deuce" was not "penned" by Bruce Springsteen; Bruce actually wrote it as "cut loose like a deuce", as Homey has already mentioned. Here it is on Springsteen's site:
http://www.brucespringsteen.net/songs/BlindedByTheLight.html
It wasn't until Manfred Mann and his crummy cover band bastardized it, that it became "revved up". Springsteen was referring to a deuce in a deck of cards, as one would throw it away (cut it loose) while playing poker, in hopes of getting a better card. Springsteen was, and still is, one of the most versatile and talented singer/songwriters of all time, as proven by how long he's been making music and doing concerts. Manfred Mann was a flash-in-the-pan cover band; a 70's version of michael bolton.
If you are going to post your answers on the internet like someone of significance, you should do your research first.
10 - Ben
And u should get a life
11 - brent
I thought he was talking about a person putting a bag of crap on a door step and running away while the light is blinding the person opening the door to the burning poop..
12 - Ethan
I know this article was old but i searched this because I was in my car and heard, "Wrapped up like a douche." When my friends heard the song I started singing those words and they couldn't believe those were the lyrics. Knowing the real lyrics now, we are all now laughing even harder.
13 - Masl18as
Why this crap version by mumford's manhood gets played still is the real puzzling mystery.
14 - Mark Edward Manning
I always thought MMEB's version was a bit dark and creepy. The use of the word "douche" only seemed to highlight that creepiness. God only knows why they changed "cut loose" to "revved up," since it does change the song's meaning (if it has one). It's been theorized that lead singer Chris Thompson's Kiwi accent is responsible for turning deuce to douche. But it's weird that MMEB would cover this song as it seems like quite a personal one. Springsteen appears to be venting some frustration in "Blinded ...," that he's talking about trying to get people at the time to listen to him and the lack of trust involved in the people who would make that happen for him.
15 - Heidi
I am laughing hysterically at Brent's comment! I like your interpretation of these lyrics the BEST! And Ben is absolutely spot on when he said that Big Willy needs to "get a life."
16 - AJ
my favorite was when David Letterman interpreted Michael Jackson's Billie Jean lyrics.... "the chair is not my son...."
17 - MJ
Willy Wanker - Springsteen sucks.
18 - molly
Ha. I always hear "Revved up like a douche, you know,the roamer in the night"
Why is a douche roaming in the night? I wonder. Thanks for the info ^_^.
19 - EFPaisley
The original lyrics written by Bruce Springstein were "Cut loose like a deuce another runner in the night" but the words were changed when sung by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. Deuce refers to 1932 Ford Coupe. Originally mentioned in Beach Boys Little Deuce Coupe. It was a hot-rod used for drag racing. Now what would get someone revved-up like the engine of a racing car I will leave to your own imagination....
20 - Beejer
I always thought he said, ". . . dressed up like a Hoosier with a boner in the night."
21 - Snowcat
I actually have proof that he IS singing douche, in spite of the "official" lyrics. If, as Manfred Mann claims, when he sings the "s" or "soft c" sound it comes out like "sh," then when he sings "Some silicone sister with her manager mister" it would sound like "shome shilicone shishter with her manager mishter"... but it doesn't, does it? That proves that he really IS singing "Wrapped up like a douche." Thank you.
22 - Robert Dennis
I always heard "wrapped up like a douche I should have done 'er in the night. LOL
23 - Winkle
Snowcat is correct: If you analyze the vocals carefully, the words are "wrapped up like a douche", so you don't have to apologize for thinking that's what you heard.
24 - Wendy Little
I always thought it was Duesen, as in a Duesenberg. Gorgeous old cars, but I suppose a Deuce Coupe is more likely to get 'revved'