The word soramimi (空耳) translates to “mishearing”, unintentionally or intentionally. The TV show with the same name is about foreign music that has lyrics that sound like something said in Japanese. Each episode, they go through various songs that readers send in that seem to say something in Japanese even though the lyrics are in English, French, or some other non-Japanese language.
The best part of the episode to me are the skits that accompany the lyrics. Check out some samples below, starting with my favorite:
Original song: Iron Maiden – Can I Play with Madness
It starts with the exterior of a room in a company with the words 「社内当番会議」 which literally means “employee turn meeting”, i.e. deciding whose turn it is to do something.
Then the singer says, in soramimi fashion, 「警備員がセックス当番だ〜」 read “kei-bin ga sekusu to-ban da” or “it’s the security guards turn for sex”. The host then comments “WTF kind of company is this?” Awesome.
Here’s another:
Original song: Alexisonfire – Mailbox Arson
The first shot shows some names and the information that there is a wedding taking place at this location. The kid runs out and yells 「嫁 ブサイクでした！」 read “yome busaiku deshita” which means “the bride was super ugly!” I love how the family is desperately trying to stop the kids announcement… comedy.
There are a ton of these on Youtube and some are much dirtier than the first video I posted. Check it out.