Most notable covers:
The Animals - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (1965)
Santa Esmeralda - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (1977)
Lana Del Rey - [ track artist=Lana Del Dey ] Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (2015)
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Nina Simone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If sometimes you see that I'm mad
Don't you know that no one alive can always be an angel?
When everything goes wrong, you see some bad
But oh, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Oh, with a joy that's hard to hide
And then sometimes again it seems that all I have is worry
And 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
I never mean to take it out on you
Life has its problems
And I get more than my share
But that's one thing I never mean to do
'Cause I love you
Oh, baby, I'm just human
Don't you know I have faults like anyone?
Sometimes I find myself alone regretting some little foolish thing
Some simple thing that I've done
'Cause I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Don't let me be misunderstood
I try so hard, so please don't let me be misunderstood
No, no, no
The song "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by Nina Simone is a plea to be understood and to not be judged too harshly by the people around her. She starts off by asking if her companion understands her when she is feeling upset, angry or when life is not going according to plan. She acknowledges that everyone has flaws and sometimes acts in ways that can be perceived as negative, but she appeals to the listener to see past her negative actions and see her good intentions. She admits that sometimes she is carefree and happy, but other times she worries about things and becomes upset, and she fears that others will only see her negative side. She implores the listener to understand that she is only human and that she has faults like anyone else, but she also tries to do good and live a positive life, so she asks the Lord to help others see that about her and not misunderstand her.
The lyrics of the song speak to the experience of feeling misunderstood and judged by others. It is a common fear for many people to worry that others will not see their good intentions and only judge them by their negative actions. The song shows the vulnerability of the artist and how frustrating it can be to feel like others do not see who she truly is.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, you understand me now?
Can you comprehend who I am and what I feel?
If sometimes you see that I'm mad
When I'm angry, don't judge me as bad
Don't you know that no one alive can always be an angel?
Everyone has their own shortcomings and nobody can be perfect all the time
When everything goes wrong, you see some bad
Under stress, sometimes my bad qualities show up
But oh, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Despite my flaws, I always strive to do good things
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
I hope you see me for who I really am and not just my occasional faults
You know sometimes, baby I'm so carefree
Sometimes I'm joyfully free-spirited and easy-going
Oh, with a joy that's hard to hide
My excitement and happiness is difficult to conceal
And then sometimes again it seems that all I have is worry
But at other times, all I can think of is my concerns
And then you're bound to see my other side
And when that occurs, you'll witness my negative behavior
If I seem edgy
When I act irritable or nervous
I want you to know
I need you to understand
I never mean to take it out on you
I don't intend to hurt you despite my demeanor
Life has its problems
There are so many difficulties in life
And I get more than my share
It sometimes feels like I'm dealing with more than my fair share of issues
But that's one thing I never mean to do
But one thing I would never do is take my stress out on you
'Cause I love you
Because I care about you deeply
Oh, baby, I'm just human
I'm not perfect, I'm just a fallible human being
Don't you know I have faults like anyone?
I have flaws like all human beings do
Sometimes I find myself alone regretting some little foolish thing
I sometimes feel guilty about small mistakes I've made when I'm by myself
Some simple thing that I've done
Small, insignificant errors I've made
'Cause I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
But at the end of the day, I'm someone who tries hard to do the right thing
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
My only wish is to be understood for who I actually am
Don't let me be misunderstood
Please do not misinterpret my words or actions
I try so hard, so please don't let me be misunderstood
I give my all and it would be heartbreaking if I was judged unfairly
No, no, no
I plead with you to understand me, no matter the cost
Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell, Sol Marcus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anewsongpsalm333
"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"
Baby you understand me now
If sometimes you see that I'm mad
Doncha know no one alive can always be an angel?
When everything goes wrong, you see some bad
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Ya know sometimes baby I'm so carefree
With a joy that's hard to hide
And then sometimes again it seems that all I have is worry
And 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
I never mean to take it out on you
Life has its problems
And I get more than my share
But that's one thing I never mean to do
Cause I love you
Oh baby
I'm just human
Don't you know I have faults like anyone?
Sometimes I find myself alone regretting
Some little foolish thing
Some simple thing that I've done
Cause I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Don't let me be misunderstood
I try so hard
So please don't let me be misunderstood
@jackspry9736
RIP Nina Simone (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003), aged 70
You will be remembered as a legend.
@cpg_1982
No doubt will be remembered his talent, his art, his claw, his struggle. Forever, Nina Simone ❤✊🏿
@adityakumarsingh2534
Heard it in love and death. Love this song
@heathorchandler6051
Me too!! I love it!!
@igoxvieira
Yes, it's wonderful
@saramendezdg
Loved it ❤
@danielavila4551
Me too!
@ThePlataf
Me too, 3 minutes ago!
She's as good as Eric Burdon!
@charliekucharski2079
I am blown away by her voice and emotion in this song. What an entertainer. Didn't realize she was the first to record this song. Thanks for posting.
@danielhsieh4928
There is a great live version by her on YouTube, check it out (I may like it even better than the version here). It's in black and white, she mentions the Animals.