Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Eric Burden and The Animals Lyrics


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Baby, can you understand me now?
Sometimes I get a little mad
Don't you know, no one alive can always be an angel
When things go wrong, I seem to go bad

I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Yeah, baby, sometimes I'm so carefree
With a joy that's hard to hide
Yeah, and other times it seems that
All I ever have is worry
And then you're bound to see my other side

Oh, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood

Well If I get edgy, I want you to know
I never mean to take it out on you
Life has its problems, I get more than my share
But there's one thing that I would never do

Oh, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood

Well If I get edgy, I want you to know
I never mean to take it out on you
Life has its problems, I get more than my share
But there's one thing that I would never do
'Cause I love you
Oh

Oh, now don't you know I'm human
I got my faults just like anyone
And sometimes I lie awake, alone, 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 said, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood




Oh, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood

Overall Meaning

In the song “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” Eric Burdon & The Animals express their frustration at being judged and misunderstood. The song is about being human and falling short, and is a plea to not be judged harshly for mistakes or moments of weakness. The lyrics suggest that sometimes we might react poorly to life’s challenges, but it doesn’t mean our intentions are bad. The singer acknowledges that sometimes they seem carefree, while at other times they struggle with worry and edginess. Through it all, the singer assures their loved one that they never intend to take it out on them, and that they are only human.


The main message of the song is that we are all human and prone to mistakes, but that our intentions are good. The repeated plea to not be misunderstood reinforces the idea that we all want to be seen in the best light possible. The song touches on themes of vulnerability, authenticity, and the need for understanding and acceptance.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby, can you understand me now?
Can you comprehend my true intentions and emotions?


Sometimes I get a little mad
Occasionally, I become upset.


Don't you know, no one alive can always be an angel
It is impossible for anyone to be perfectly good all the time.


When things go wrong, I seem to go bad
When things do not go right, I may act in a way that is not ideal.


I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
I have good intentions and a kind heart.


Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
God, please help others to see my true intentions and not judge me unfairly.


Yeah, baby, sometimes I'm so carefree
At times, I am very relaxed and happy.


With a joy that's hard to hide
My happiness is evident and difficult to conceal.


Yeah, and other times it seems that
However, other times it may appear that


All I ever have is worry
I constantly feel anxious and stressed.


And then you're bound to see my other side
In those moments, you may witness a different side of me.


Well If I get edgy, I want you to know
If I become irritable, I want you to understand


I never mean to take it out on you
I never intend to direct my frustration toward you.


Life has its problems, I get more than my share
Life can be difficult, and I feel like I face more than my fair share of challenges.


But there's one thing that I would never do
However, there is something that I would never do.


'Cause I love you
This is because I care about you deeply.


Oh, now don't you know I'm human
I am not perfect, and I make mistakes like any other person.


I got my faults just like anyone
I have shortcomings just like everyone else.


And sometimes I lie awake, alone, regretting
At times I lie awake, alone and filled with sorrow over


Some foolish thing, some sinful thing I've done
some foolish, sinful act that I committed.


I said, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
I want to reassure you that I am a good person at heart.


Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
God, I hope that others can see me for who I am and not misunderstand me.


Oh, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Once again, I want to emphasize that I have good intentions and am not malicious.


Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Please help others to understand and interpret my actions and statements in the correct way.




Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell, Sol Marcus

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@EvaPapadimitriou

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 to do is worry
And then 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 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 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

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
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood ...



All comments from YouTube:

@jackspry9736

RIP the two members of The Animals
Chas Chandler (December 18, 1938 – July 17, 1996), aged 57
Hilton Valentine (May 21, 1943 – January 29, 2021), aged 77
You both will always be remembered as legends.

@jasonu.s.buffingtonproduct2897

Legendary Alien Americans Never die they just evolve into a bigger and badder of what you hold in your mind on the daily . You choose : Faith Or Fear ? Love us our hate us when we make U.S.

@lechatel

Both incredibly under-appreciated. Hilton was a stupendous blues guitarist. Probably too self-effacing. I was very moved by Eric's tribute to him.

@john2421

Man they don't make music like this anymore. This dude can sing like champ!! This is real shit!!

@TransRoofKorean

in blues they say "this man can WAIL!" that definitely applies here

@MessiahKnight

Really? Most metal music uses wonky time signatures like this all the time.
This song is great but not that great

@tinaohlrogge4685

Reply to John:
Yes Indeed 🎶!
Musik is My
Therapy;
We can All
Benefit from
The Possitive
Vibes of
Better Times!
🙏☮️🇺🇸💙🎶...

@davechucks

The Bass Player is the guy that signed Jimi Hendrix and formed the Experience.

@peterbolt9694

@David Williamson Thank you. Facts like these are what I want to find in the YouTube comments section. I thought no way and had to check it. Not just formed the Experience, but contribute significantly to their early success. Also managed Slade for 12 years through the 70s.

18 More Replies...

@LOUISVILLECARDINALS

One of the best songs ever. Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood 🔥👍🏾

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