1. "Jo… Read Full Bio ↴Featured in HBO's acclaimed "John From Cincinnati" Soundtrack
1. "Johnny Appleseed" - Joe Strummer - Main title/theme song
2. "The Perfect Ending" - Harriet Street - Promos/Previously on
3. "Goin' Up The Country" - Canned Heat - Episode 101: Vietnam Joe in van
4. "Sun/Rise/Light/Flies" - Kasabian - Episode 101: Closing credits
5. "Tic" - Kava Kava - Episode 102: Shaun prepares for competition
6. "Staring at the Sun" - TV On The Radio - Episode 102: Closing credits
7. "Time To Say Goodbye" - Sarah Brightman - Episode 103: Freddie in his car outside the hospital
8. "You Light Up My Life" - Debby Boone - Episode 103: Barry recalls what happened in Room 24
9. "Boogie Chillen" - Buddy Guy - Episode 103: John says "see God Kai" and trippy montage ensues
10. "Feeling Good" - Muse - Episode 103: Closing credits
11. "Unisono" - Control Machete - Episode 104: John gets in the van with the homeys
12. "Un Di Felice, Eterea" - David Byrne - Episode 104: Vietnam Joe finds John, John signals Cass
13. "In Your Eyes" - Peter Gabriel - Episode 104: Kai reminds Butchie of their Jr Prom
14. "Over, Under, Sideways, Down" - The Yardbirds - Episode 104: Closing credits
15. "Tonights The Night" - The Shirelles - Episode 105: Butchie and Tina in diner
16. "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" - Elvis Costello - Episode 105: Closing credits
17. "And When I Die" - Laura Nyro - Episode 106: Freddie & Bill
18. "My Favorite Things" - John Coltrane - Episode 106: Closing credits
19. "Watching The Wheels" - Matisyahu - Episode 107: Closing credits
20. "Tennessee Waltz" - Patti Page - Episode 108: Barry has vision in bar
21. "When Love Comes To Town" - U2 - Episode 108: Closing credits
22. "Hold On, I'm Coming" - Sam & Dave - Episode 109: Closing credits
23. "Series of Dreams" - Bob Dylan - Episode 110: Opening scene, John & Shaun surf in
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
But 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 that I would never do
'Cause I love you
Oh, don't you know I'm human
I've got my faults just like anyone
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
In "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," Elvis Costello & The Attractions express their fear of being misunderstood in their relationships. The song speaks about the complexities and contradiction of human beings. The first verse talks about their flaws, and how sometimes they feel mad or angry, which could lead to others misinterpreting their behavior. In the chorus, they plead to be understood; they are just a soul with good intentions, but sometimes they are scared of being misread.
In the second verse, Costello describes how sometimes he can be carefree and happy, but other times he feels overwhelmed and anxious, and he worries he might be judged or criticized if he shows that side. The bridge talks about the fact that he loves the person to whom he sings, and he never wants to hurt them, even if he gets angry or frustrated. The final chorus is a plea to be seen with compassion and empathy, as they acknowledge that they, like everyone else, have faults and make mistakes.
Overall, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" contains a message of empathy and understanding, a desire to be seen as a multifaceted human being, just as everyone else is.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, can you understand me now?
Can you empathize with me and see things from my perspective?
Sometimes I feel a little mad
Occasionally I become frustrated or upset
Don't you know that no one alive can always be an angel
Everyone has flaws and makes mistakes
When things go wrong, I seem to be mad
I might act upset or unhappy when things don't go as planned
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Despite my occasional mistakes or times of confusion, I have good intentions at heart
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
I hope others can understand my true intentions and not judge me harshly
Baby, sometimes I'm so carefree
At times I am joyful and unburdened by stress
With a joy that's hard to hide
I feel so happy that it's difficult to suppress my emotions
But other times it seems that all I have to do is worry
On occasion, I feel vulnerable or anxious
And then I know you're bound to see my other side
At those times, others might see a side of me that is less carefree and more anxious
If I get mad at you I want you to know
If I ever express frustration with you, I want you to understand my true meaning
That I never mean to take it out on you
I never intend to express negative emotions towards you specifically
Life has its problems and I get my share
Everyone experiences difficulties in life, and I am no exception
But that is one thing that I would never do
Despite my struggles, I would never intentionally cause harm or negativity towards others
'Cause I love you
My affection for you is genuine and deep
Oh, don't you know I'm human
I am a human with imperfections and mistakes like anyone else
I've got my faults just like anyone
I am not perfect and have areas where I can improve
Sometimes I lie awake long regretting
There are times when I feel deep remorse over past mistakes
Some foolish thing, some sinful thing I've done
My regret might stem from a decision or action that was unwise or wrong
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Despite my past mistakes or times of confusion, I have good intentions at heart
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
I hope others can understand my true intentions and not judge me harshly
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Despite my occasional mistakes or times of confusion, I have good intentions at heart
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
I hope others can understand my true intentions and not judge me harshly
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Despite my past mistakes or times of confusion, I have good intentions at heart
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
I hope others can understand my true intentions and not judge me harshly
Contributed by Alice B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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.