MovieChat Forums > Elf (2003) Discussion > Zooey Deschanel screwed up a line

Zooey Deschanel screwed up a line

posted 10 years ago by Greatornot
10 replies | jump to latest

When she was singing " Santa Claus is Coming to Town" , She said Santa is going to find out who's naughty AND nice. She should have used the word or. I am probably the only person that caught this error.

[–] virgiltx 10 years ago

That would be a literal violation of the lyrics, however, the meaning could be interpreted as the same--he's going to find out who's naughty and he's going to find out who's nice. So her way does not necessarily mean someone who is both naughty and nice at the same time, a contradiction in the Santa Claus context.

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[–] JR541 10 years ago

Agreed. While I do consider it a lyrical mistake it still makes some sense. Like you said he's not going to only find out specifically those that are simultaneously naughty and nice. It's a one or the other deal.

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[–] gordaton 8 years ago

She didn't screw up a line, that would fall on the screenwriter.

[–] Easyrider1987 7 years ago

Get a bloody life! How pathetic to even notice this!

[–] mike-merriman 7 years ago

thats actually the correct lyric in the 2nd chorus.

[–] Huskie_Jon 7 years ago

I think she meant that he's going to find out who's naughty and ni-i-i-ice. In other words, Santa is always jolly because he knows where the naughty girls live, and that must be nice.

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[–] TheManInOil 7 years ago

No, 'and' is the correct word. He's going to find out who's naughty and [he's going to find out who's] nice.

If it were 'or' it would imply that he's going to find out who is either naughty or nice - which is everybody. Everybody is either naughty or nice.

[–] jonathan_k80 7 years ago

I think it was deliberate, to portray nervousness. Jovie was uncomfortable singing in front of people so she got the verse wrong.

[–] bobbydallas (8054) 5 years ago

I always thought that was the correct line

[–] gcarras (2726) 3 years ago

I forgot all about that (listened to her She and Him albums a few nights ago, on my vacation in Palm Desert, am a HUGE fan of hers).