Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Eric Burdon / The Animals Lyrics


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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

Overall Meaning

Eric Burdon's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" expresses the frustration and plea of a person who is misunderstood. The opening lines, "Baby, do you understand me now / Sometimes I feel a little mad," suggest a sense of frustration or upset. The singer then asks the listener to recognize that no one is perfect all the time, and that when things go wrong, they are not intentionally causing harm.


The line, "But don't you know that no one alive / Can always be an angel," suggests that the singer is not claiming to be perfect, but rather, is asking for understanding and forgiveness when they show their "other side." The lyrics also acknowledge that sometimes the singer is "edgy," but they want their loved one to understand that it's not intentional.


Overall, the song is a plea for empathy and a reminder that everyone is human and makes mistakes. The repeated refrain of "Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood" further emphasizes the singer's need for understanding.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby, do you understand me now
Do you truly understand who I am and what I am about?


Sometimes I feel a little mad
Occasionally I feel angry or upset


But don't you know that no one alive
Everyone has flaws and makes mistakes


Can always be an angel
No one is perfect and always has good intentions


When things go wrong I seem to be bad
In difficult situations, I may appear to be doing something wrong


But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
However, I am just a person who has good intentions deep down


Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
I hope that my true intentions are not mistaken by others


Baby, sometimes I'm so carefree
At times, I am without worries and full of joy


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, it feels like all I can do is stress about something


Then you're bound to see my other side
In those moments, my negative side may come to light


If I seem edgy I want you to know
If I come across as nervous or anxious, it's not your fault


That I never mean to take it out on you
I never intend to direct my negative energy onto you


Life has it's problems and I get my share
Like everyone else, I face difficulties and struggles in life


And that's one thing I never meant to do
I never wanted to cause you any harm or distress


Because I love you
My actions are rooted in my love for you


Oh, Oh baby don't you know I'm human
I am only human and prone to mistakes and flaws


Have thoughts like any other one
I have thoughts and feelings like every other human being


Sometimes I find myself long regretting
I sometimes dwell on and regret past mistakes


Some foolish thing some little simple thing I've done
Things that may seem small or insignificant to others may weigh heavily on my mind


Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Overall, I am a person with good intentions


Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
I hope that others can see and understand my true intentions




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CHRIS-N-JEN MUSIC
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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