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't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Eric Burdon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
In Eric Burdon's song Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, the lyrics depict a person pleading with their partner to try and understand their actions and intentions. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that they might act unpredictable or irrational sometimes, but they do not intend any harm. The lyrics suggest that people have different sides to them, and just because someone seems happy and carefree sometimes doesn't mean they don't have hardships or inner turmoils.
The singer vocalizes that sometimes they are overwhelmed by their worries, and when they act out or seem on edge, it's not because they are trying to be cruel. They apologize to their partner and profess their love, stating that they want to be understood and not misjudged. While their mistakes and regrets can consume them at times, they believe that deep down, they are of good nature and hope that their partner can see that too.
The song aims to convey that people are complex and multifaceted, and their intentions might not always be apparent in their actions. It highlights how communication and understanding are essential in a relationship and that everyone deserves a chance to be heard and seen for who they truly are.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, do you understand me now
Do you comprehend my true nature?
Sometimes I feel a little mad
Occasionally, I experience intense emotions.
But don't you know that no one alive
You should be aware that no human being
Can always be an angel
Can be perfect all the time.
When things go wrong I seem to be bad
When circumstances are unfavorable, I may appear unpleasant.
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
However, I am merely a person with benevolent intentions.
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
My plea is that I'm comprehended for who I am, not misunderstood.
Baby, sometimes I'm so carefree
On occasion, I am relaxed and at ease.
With a joy that's hard to hide
This contentment is difficult to conceal.
And sometimes it seems that all I have do is worry
Sometimes I feel like all I do is fret over things.
Then you're bound to see my other side
Inevitably, you will witness an aspect of me that is different.
If I seem edgy I want you to know
If I am anxious and irritable, I want you to realize
That I never mean to take it out on you
That I never intentionally misdirect my emotions towards you.
Life has it's problems and I get my share
Life has its hardships, and I have my fair share of struggles.
And that's one thing I never meant to do
Nevertheless, I never intended to burden you with my troubles.
Because I love you
This is because I have deep affection for you.
Oh, Oh baby don't you know I'm human
Please comprehend that I am a human being.
Have thoughts like any other one
I have thoughts, much like every other person.
Sometimes I find myself long regretting
On occasion, I dwell on the remorse I feel
Some foolish thing some little simple thing I've done
About some trivial error I've committed
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Indeed, my intentions are pure.
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
I pray that I'm not taken the wrong way.
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Once again, my purposes are righteous.
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
I beg of you, do not misconstrue me.
Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell, Sol Marcus
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