Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Elvis Costello Lyrics
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Sometimes I feel a little mad
Don't you know that no one alive can always be an angel
When things go wrong I seem to be mad
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
With a joy that's hard to hide
With other times it seems that all I have to do is worry
And then I know you're bound to see my other side
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
If I get mad at you I want you to know
That I never mean to take it out on you
Life has its problems and I get my share
But that is one thing I would never do 'cause I love you
Oh whoa whoa, don't you know I'm human
I've got my faults just like any one
Sometimes I lie awake long regretting
Some foolish thing, some sinful thing I've done
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
Elvis Costello's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is a powerful plea for understanding and acceptance. The song expresses the desire to be seen as flawed but fundamentally good, rather than being unfairly judged or dismissed.
The lyrics describe the struggle between two sides of the singer's personality, and the way that life's problems and worries can sometimes bring out the worst in him. However, the chorus makes it clear that this is not his true nature, and he asks for forgiveness and understanding from those around him.
The use of the phrase "angel" suggests a biblical reference, as well as the idea of perfection and unattainable goodness. The repetition of the chorus highlights the depth of the singer's feelings and the importance of being understood. The song culminates in a powerful final plea for acceptance, reminding the listener that everyone has flaws and that it is only through empathy and understanding that we can truly connect with each other.
Overall, Elvis Costello's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is a powerful and heartfelt song that speaks to the universal human experience of feeling flawed and vulnerable, and the need for acceptance and understanding from those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby can you understand me now
Do you comprehend what I am trying to say at this moment?
Sometimes I feel a little mad
There are moments when I feel like I am losing my mind.
Don't you know that no one alive can always be an angel
It is impossible for any person to be perfect all of the time.
When things go wrong I seem to be mad
During times of strife, I tend to show my anger more visibly.
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
I have good intentions, though I may not always act on them.
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
I hope that my actions and words are interpreted correctly, and I am not seen in a negative light.
Baby sometimes I'm so carefree
There are times when I feel worry-free and untroubled.
With a joy that's hard to hide
My happiness at those times is palpable and cannot be concealed.
With other times it seems that all I have to do is worry
At other times, it feels like all I can do is worry about everything.
And then I know you're bound to see my other side
During those periods of stress, you may see a different side of me.
If I get mad at you I want you to know
If my frustration is directed at you, I want to make it clear that it is not personal.
That I never mean to take it out on you
You are not the target of my anger, and I never intend to hurt you.
Life has its problems and I get my share
Everyone encounters issues in their life, and I am no exception.
But that is one thing I would never do 'cause I love you
Despite any hardships, I would never want to harm you because of my love for you.
Oh whoa whoa, don't you know I'm human
I am only human and consequently have my fair share of faults.
I've got my faults just like any one
I have individual weaknesses and shortcomings just like any other person.
Sometimes I lie awake long regretting
At times, I cannot sleep, dwelling on past mistakes and old regrets.
Some foolish thing, some sinful thing I've done
I am tormented by the memory of some shameful incident from my past.
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
I hope others understand that I intend to do good, even if I don't always succeed.
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
I pray that others will realize my positive intentions and not misinterpret my actions.
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
I want to be known as someone who strives to do the right thing.
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
I hope that I am not viewed in a negative light due to any miscommunications or unintentional wrongdoings.
Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell, Sol Marcus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@susan3579
[Verse 1]
Baby, do you understand me now
Sometimes I feel a little bit mad
Don't you know no one alive can always be an angel?
When everything goes wrong, you see some bad
[Chorus]
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
[Verse 2]
Baby, sometimes I'm so carefree
With a joy that's hard to hide
And sometimes it seems that all I have to do is worry
And then you're bound to see my other side
[Chorus]
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
[Bridge]
If I seem edgy, I want you to know
That I never mean to take it out on you
Life has its problems and I get my share
And that's one thing I never mean to do 'cause I love you
[Verse 3]
Oh, oh, oh, oh, baby, don't you know I'm a human?
I have faults, like any other one
Sometimes I find myself alone regretting some foolish thing
Some simple thing that I've done
[Chorus]
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
@preethibalakrishnan625
Baby, do you understand me now
Sometimes I feel a little mad
But don't you know that no one alive
Can always be an angel
When things go wrong I seem to be bad
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Baby, sometimes I'm so carefree
With a joy that's hard to hide
And sometimes it seems that all I have do is worry
Then you're bound to see my other side
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
If I seem edgy I want you to know
That I never mean to take it out on you
Life has it's problems and I get my share
And that's one thing I never meant to do
Because I love you
Oh, Oh baby don't you know I'm human
Have thoughts like any other one
Sometimes I find myself long regretting
Some foolish thing some little simple thing I've done
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
@bobharmen4812
Baby, can you understand me now?
Sometimes I feel a little mad.
Don't you know that no one alive
Can always be an angel?
When things go wrong, I seem to be mad.
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good!
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood.
Baby, sometimes I'm so carefree,
With a joy, that's hard to hide,
And other times it seems that all I have do is worry...
And then you're, you're bound to see my, other side.
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good!
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood.
If I get edgy I want you to know,
That I never mean to take it out on you.
Life has it's problems and I get my share
But that is one thing I would never do
'Cause I love you.
Oh-hoh, don't you know I'm human?
Have thoughts like any other one.
Sometimes I find myself long regretting,
Some foolish thing, some little simple thing I've done.
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good!
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood.
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good!
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood.
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good!
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood.
(Uncorrected lyrics courtesy of Preethi Balakrishnan.)
@shannonrosenfeld320
Just such a great version of this classic. Elvis rocks it.
@davidcrowder2761
Thank you so much for your comment and continues support 🎶 I appreciate it, god bless you and stay safe
@PeJay154
Played at my old man’s funeral. His choice.
👍
@theotheoth
And was he?
@jimvanhooser2729
Great rendition of this song!!! Loved it!!!!!
@giselaafonso
I was 13 back then and asked my father to buy me King of America. Still have the album and the admiration for this man.
@jimbailey5681
Great vocal! I read in Costello’s autobiography that he had laryngitis when recording this vocal. Still sounds great
@n.g.a.e.g.4534
Well you can tell !
@spursspurs7489
god I love his voice
@smurfunkown6774
I love the voice , I'd love to sing a song like this.