Music has the power to move us, tell stories, and express deep emotions but sometimes, the best songs don't make any sense at all. From made-up words to bizarre phrases that defy logic, some of history's most iconic tracks feature lyrics that are pure nonsense. Yet, these songs still become global hits, proving that meaning isn't always necessary for a song to resonate.
In this article, we explore 10 famous songs with lyrics that are literally nonsense, diving into their origins, cultural impact, and why they remain beloved despite (or because of) their absurdity.
1. "I Am the Walrus" – The Beatles (1967)
The Nonsense: "I am the eggman, they are the eggmen, I am the walrus, goo goo g'joob!"
John Lennon deliberately wrote this song to be confusing, blending Lewis Carroll-style wordplay with surreal imagery. When asked about the meaning, he said: "It’s just nonsense. It means whatever you want it to mean."
Why It Works: The psychedelic production and hypnotic rhythm make the absurd lyrics feel profound, a hallmark of The Beatles' experimental phase.
2. "Louie Louie" – The Kingsmen (1963)
The Nonsense: The entire song is famously unintelligible, leading to FBI investigations over alleged obscenities (they found nothing).
Originally written by Richard Berry, The Kingsmen’s slurred, chaotic version turned it into a garage-rock anthem where nobody—not even the band—knew the real lyrics.
Why It Works: Its raw energy and mystery made it a rebellious classic.
3. "Tutti Frutti" – Little Richard (1955)
The Nonsense: "A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop, a-lop-bam-boom!"
Little Richard improvised these iconic scat lyrics on the spot during recording. The phrase has no meaning but became one of rock 'n' roll’s most recognizable hooks.
Why It Works: The sheer energy and rhythm make it impossible not to sing along.
4. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" – Nirvana (1991)
The Nonsense: "A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido!"
Kurt Cobain admitted the lyrics were random phrases strung together to match the song’s chaotic vibe. He later said he was "just trying to write the ultimate pop song."
Why It Works: The angst-filled delivery makes even nonsense feel deeply emotional.
5. "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" – Crash Test Dummies (1993)
The Nonsense: The chorus is just humming—no words at all.
The verses tell strange stories (a boy with birthmarks, a girl in a car crash), but the chorus is pure vocalization, making it one of the weirdest hits of the '90s.
Why It Works: The deep baritone voice and haunting melody turn nonsense into something oddly moving.
6. "The Purple People Eater" – Sheb Wooley (1958)
The Nonsense: "It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater!"
This novelty hit about a goofy alien monster was never meant to make sense—just to be fun. Yet it topped charts and became a cultural phenomenon.
Why It Works: Its playful absurdity makes it timeless.
7. "Around the World" – Daft Punk (1997)
The Nonsense: The lyrics are just the title repeated 144 times.
With no variation, the song relies entirely on its funky beat and hypnotic repetition to keep listeners hooked.
Why It Works: The groove is so strong that words don’t matter.
8. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" – The Beatles (1968)
The Nonsense: The title is a nonsense phrase borrowed from Nigerian musician Jimmy Scott.
Paul McCartney turned it into a catchy, upbeat story about a fictional couple, with lyrics so silly even his bandmates hated it at first.
Why It Works: Its cheerful melody makes the nonsense feel joyful.
9. "Who Let the Dogs Out?" – Baha Men (2000)
The Nonsense: The entire premise—who did let the dogs out? Why? Nobody knows.
Originally a soca song with unclear origins, its shouted chorus became a global party anthem despite making zero logical sense.
Why It Works: Pure, chaotic fun.
10. "Yellow Ledbetter" – Pearl Jam (1992)
The Nonsense: Eddie Vedder’s slurred vocals make the lyrics completely indecipherable.
Fans have debated the words for decades, with common misheard versions like "Potato wave!" and "Make me fries!"
Why It Works: The emotional guitar work makes the lyrics irrelevant.
Why Do We Love Nonsense Lyrics?
They’re catchy – Simple, repetitive sounds stick in our brains.
They’re open to interpretation – Listeners project their own meanings.
They break rules – Music doesn’t always need deep meaning to be great.
Final Thought
These songs prove that sometimes, the best lyrics are the ones that don’t make sense at all.