Burdon left also this band and run back to stardome in the mid-70s with The Eric Burdon Band producing heavy rocking songs. He went on forming short-living groups such as Eric Burdon's Fire Dept. in 1980, another Eric Burdon Band in 1981, especially for a motion picture-starring role in Comeback for which he made the soundtrack and a reunion band with The Animals in 1983 to get back to the Mainstream Charts. The 1980s saw Burdon in genres such as heavy metal, new wave, pop, reggae, disco, blues, rock and roll, punk, funk and rap. He also published his album "I Used To Be An Animal" as well as his autobiography with the same title. He went on touring in stadiums as well as in small clubs around the world.
In 1990 he formed the Eric Burdon & Robby Krieger Band who toured mainly in America. They recorded some demo tapes, but never released them. In 1991 he toured the world again as Eric Burdon & Brian Auger Band. They released a double-live album, "Access All Areas" in 1993, showing versions of Burdon's old hits in new musical outfits, once again as a blues, metal, reggae and fusion performer.
In 1994 they got disbanded, Burdon got introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where he performed 1995 with Bon Jovi and created a new group of high-professional musicians, Eric Burdon's i Band. They disbanded in 1998 and he formed Eric Burdon & The New Animals. In 2003 they changed their name in Eric Burdon & The Animals, after some band changes. In 2004 the long awaited studio-album "My Secret Life" was released and brought him back into the mainstream charts and in late 2005 the live album "Athens Traffic Live" was released.
Burdon formed a new band-line-up, also touring as Eric Burdon & The Animals. In January 2006 he released "Soul of a Man", with good critics worldwide. He wanted to create an album who is dedicated to the blues and rnb. Since then he toured the world without a break, always looking for new material, performing with other famous musicians.
Recently, Burdon wrote a screenplay called "Twisted Oliver" and is working on a new studio album. He turned down tours with War and Linkin Park in the last year, but it seems that the new year is bringing many surprises.
Many of his bands also used elements of speed metal, thrash metal, grindcore and death metal.
He's definitely one of the most important people in music history, while recording the first #1 hit with a length more than four minutes, "House of the Rising Sun", the most popular anti-vietnam song "We Gotta Get out of this Place", the first song recorded in stereo, "Sky Pilot" and the first latin rap in pop music, "Spill the Wine". His self-written rock song "Year of the Guru" (1968) proves that he created the first rap rock-song. His political environment can be seen in his multi-racial project with the band War from late 1969 to early 1971. In 2008 he reunited with the band at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Without his experimental vocals, hip hop, rap, heavy metal, rock, pop and rnb would have a completely different face.
His singing style and music also influenced artists such as Joe Cocker, The Doors, Deep Purple, The Brute Chorus, Ted Nugent, Janis Joplin, The Sonics, Steppenwolf, Chester Bennington, Bruce Springsteen, The Black Crowes, Tom Petty, The White Stripes, Ryan Adams, John Mellencamp, The Compulsive Gamblers, The Vines, Julian Thome, The Hives, MC5 and many more.
In November 2008 the magazine Rolling Stone ranked him #57 on their list of the Best Singers of all Times.
Formations:
The Animals & Sonny Boy Williamson (December 30, 1963)
The Animals (1964 - September 1966, 1976, 1983/84)
Eric Burdon & The Animals (1967 - 1968)
Eric Burdon & War (1969 - 1971)
Eric Burdon & Jimmy Witherspoon (1971)
The Eric Burdon Band (1973 - 1975)
Eric Burdon's Fire Department (1980)
Eric Burdon, Robbie Krieger & Friends (1990)
Eric Burdon & Brian Auger Band (1991 - 1993)
Eric Burdon's I Band (1995 - 1998)
Eric Burdon & The New Animals (1999 - 2002)
Eric Burdon (1976 - ...)
Don
Eric Burdon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel I'm nothing in your eyes.,
It makes me feel like givin' up
Because my best just ain't good enough.
Girl I want to provide for you and
Do the things you want me to!
But oh, oh, no, don't bring me down!
Oh, oh, no, don't bring me down!
Sacrifices I will make,
I'm ready to give as well as take,
One thing I need is your respect,
One thing I can't take is your neglect,
More than anything I need your love
Then trouble's easy to rise above.
But oh, oh, no, don't bring me down!
Oh, baby you know!
Oh, oh, no, don't bring me down!
When you complain and criticize
I feel I'm nothing in your eyes.,
It makes me feel like givin' up
Because my best just ain't good enough.
Girl I want to provide for you and
Do the things you want me to!
But oh, oh, no, don't bring me down!
Oh, baby you know!
Oh, oh, no, don't bring me down!
Oh, oh, no, don't bring me down!
Oh, oh, no, don't bring me down!
Oh, oh, no, don't bring me down!
In "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," Eric Burdon sings about the fear of being misunderstood by others. He acknowledges the moments when he acts impulsively or in ways that might be misperceived. However, he is a good person with good intentions at heart, and sometimes circumstances make him behave in ways that are not reflective of who he is. He pleads with his lover, the "Baby" in the song, to understand him and not misinterpret his actions.
The opening line, "Baby, do you understand me now," sets the tone for the rest of the song. Eric Burdon is looking for understanding and empathy from his partner. He goes on to explain that although he tries to be an angel, he is not perfect and can sometimes behave in ways that seem out of character. He is just a human, with his own set of problems and worries, who sometimes lets his fears and anxieties get the best of him.
The repeating line, "But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good, Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood," is the heart of the song. He is reassuring his lover and himself that he is not a bad person, and he only wants to be seen in the light of his true intentions.
Overall, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is a plea for empathy and understanding from others. It's a reminder that we are all human and trying our best, even if it doesn't always seem that way on the surface.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, do you understand me now
Do you comprehend what I am trying to communicate?
Sometimes I feel a little mad
At times, I experience intense emotions that are difficult to control.
But don't you know that no one alive
It is crucial to understand that every individual is imperfect.
Can always be an angel
It is unrealistic to expect someone to behave perfectly all the time.
When things go wrong I seem to be bad
I am prone to making mistakes when things do not go as planned.
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Despite my flaws, I have good intentions and a pure heart.
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
I hope you understand that I am not trying to cause harm or be misunderstood.
Baby, sometimes I'm so carefree
Occasionally, I am lighthearted and without worry.
With a joy that's hard to hide
My happiness is evident and difficult to conceal.
And sometimes it seems that all I have do is worry
Other times, I am consumed by feelings of unease and anxiety.
Then you're bound to see my other side
During these moments of anxiety, my behavior may deviate from my usual self.
If I seem edgy I want you to know
In case I appear irritable or jittery, there is a reason.
That I never mean to take it out on you
Regardless of my emotional state, I never intend to harm you intentionally.
Life has it's problems and I get my share
Like everyone, I experience issues in life that contribute to my emotional state.
And that's one thing I never meant to do
However, it is imperative to understand that inflicting harm upon you was never my intention.
Because I love you
My love for you is unconditional and true.
Oh, Oh baby don't you know I'm human
I am human and susceptible to human error.
Have thoughts like any other one
Like everyone else, I have thoughts, some of which are not always rational.
Sometimes I find myself long regretting
At times, I feel remorse and regret for my actions.
Some foolish thing some little simple thing I've done
I may experience regret for insignificant actions, but the emotions are valid.
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Despite my flaws, I am someone with pure intentions and a good heart.
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
I pray that I am not misunderstood, as my intentions are good and true.
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
I hope you understand that I am not perfect, but I am someone with only the best intentions.
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Again, I pray that you comprehend my actions as they are intended, with only the best intentions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carole King, Gerry Goffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gregfero1264
Best version..PERIOD
@johnchapman1439
One of the great, possibly the greatest unknown albums of all time. This album kicks ass !!!
@shadowplay2801
been a fan since i seen The Animals Paramount theater nyc 1964
@clintast5940
One of the best albums no one ever heard of.
@NachoHarris
Best version ever
@detroitMC313
I love this version.
@raymillnerkust4251
best version
@verbalswagrawkey1932
Sun Secrets have always been my FAV.
@rickeycole9563
Blowed my whole allowance for this cut of the LP,,,,,,, Wise investment I thought!
@thomasprice5766
Best version of this awesome hit