Sloan's family moved to West Hollywood, California in 1957. Sloan made a single, "All I Want Is Loving," for the R&B label Aladdin Records, which folded soon after its release. He became part of the burgeoning Los Angeles music scene, landing a job on the songwriting staff at startup label Dunhill Records. Using the name Phil F. Sloan or P.F. Sloan, he wrote hits for many performers. His "Kick That Little Foot Sally Ann" was done by a Watts, California performer named Round Robin and given an arrangement by Jack Nitzsche. He wrote "Eve of Destruction," recorded by Barry McGuire; "You Baby" by The Turtles; and "Secret Agent Man" by Johnny Rivers. The last was the theme tune for Secret Agent, a British TV series that had been given a new title and theme for the U.S. market. (In Britain it was Danger Man). Sloan also wrote, sang and produced songs for The Grass Roots, Jan and Dean, and various others along with his then writing and production partner Steve Barri.
Let Me Be
P.F. Sloan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
D E A
The shadow of anybody else
D E D E
I ain't the him or her you think I am
D E A
I'm just trying hard to be myself
E A
D E
That may sound good to you, not to me
Chorus:
A
Let me be, let me be
D E
To think like I want to
A
Let me be, let me be
D E
That's all I ask of you
D C#m Bm [1,2: repeat intro 3: to coda]
I am what I am and that's all I ever can be
Verse 2:
Don't try to plan me or understand me
I can't stand to be understood
I could never give in to or ever live up to
Being like you think I should
I've got some inner need that I'm tryin' to heed
I can't take hand-me-down destiny
[repeat chorus]
Verse 3:
Don't try to change me or rearrange me
To satisfy the selfishness in you
I'm not a piece of clay to mold to your moves each day
And I'm not a pawn to be told how to move
I'm sorry I ain't the fool you thought would play by your rules
A to-each-is-own philosophy
In P.F. Sloan's song Let Me Be, the singer asserts their independence and individuality, rejecting the pressures of societal norms and the expectations of others. They refuse to conform to anyone else's standards, insisting that they are comfortable simply being themselves. The first verse begins with an appeal to the listener not to mistake the singer for someone else or to try to mold them into a different image. They assert that they are not trying to be anyone other than themselves, even if that means going against the expectations of society. The chorus is a plea to be allowed to think and act independently, without pressure to conform. This sentiment is reflected in the title of the song, which serves as a mantra for the singer's independence.
The second verse continues in the same vein, with the singer insisting that they can't be understood or molded by anyone else's expectations. They express a desire to fulfill an inner need that may not be comprehensible to others, and reject the notion of "hand-me-down destiny." The third verse takes a more confrontational tone, with the singer calling out those who would try to change or manipulate them for their own selfish reasons. The singer insists that they are not a pawn to be moved according to someone else's whims, and that their philosophy is to let each person be themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Please don't mistake me or try to make me
Do not misunderstand me and attempt to manipulate me
The shadow of anybody else
I am not attempting to mimic anyone or follow their lead
I ain't the him or her you think I am
I am not the person you believe me to be
I'm just trying hard to be myself
I am endeavoring to be true to who I am and not hide behind a façade
Though society's goal is to be part of the whole
Although society promotes conformity and fitting in with the crowd
That may sound good to you, not to me
This does not align with what I value and desire for myself
Let me be, let me be
Allow me to live my life freely without interference or coercion
To think like I want to
To have the ability to think independently and without pressure from others
That's all I ask of you
This is the only thing I am pleading for from those around me
I am what I am and that's all I ever can be
I am content with being who I am and will not compromise to meet others' expectations
Don't try to plan me or understand me
Please do not attempt to map out my life or comprehend every aspect of it
I can't stand to be understood
I am comfortable with not being fully understood by everyone
I could never give in to or ever live up to
I am unable to submit to or abide by
Being like you think I should
Behavior or actions that are in line with your expectations
I've got some inner need that I'm tryin' to heed
I have an internal desire that I am striving to fulfill
I can't take hand-me-down destiny
I am not willing to accept my fate as predetermined or handed to me from someone else
Don't try to change me or rearrange me
Please do not attempt to alter or reorganize who I am
To satisfy the selfishness in you
To fulfill your own personal desires or goals
I'm not a piece of clay to mold to your moves each day
I am not a malleable object to be shaped to conform to your desires
And I'm not a pawn to be told how to move
I refuse to be controlled or manipulated by others
I'm sorry I ain't the fool you thought would play by your rules
I apologize for not being the simpleton you expected to adhere to your standards
To-each-is-own philosophy
A belief that everyone is entitled to their opinions and ways of life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: P. F. SLOAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jjjtttggg
One of the all-time great songwriters!!! ... and an amazing singer!!!
@krummcutie
Great song! This man is underrated
@charlotteskiftun753
By Adler not promoting him...
We have lost a treasure of his voice, his songs, the thousands yet un created...songs he was pregnant with....very stupid L. Aadler
@charlotteskiftun753
Hugely under rated....I love to go back 53 years n tell him how wonderful he is....his creative gift....and tell him not to be with dunhill records....tell him to get a good lawyer
@markmandell8120
One of my all time favorites. I used to think that when he sang “I can’t take any doubt, destiny” that he was really singing “I can’t take hand me down destiny.”
@s.kreusler5081
You were right the first time
@appledoreman
Sorry, but no, he wasn't. For one thing, "I can't take any doubt, destiny" doesn't make sense. Also, a check of online lyrics verifies the latter.
@bunkosquad2000
Sooo much better than his overproduced studio version. Takes me back to 1966. The Turtles version wasn't bad either. Great times with early Beatles, Byrds, etc. I was fortunate to see him in a small venue in Pasadena (Bob Stain's Coffe Gallery Backstage) shortly before he died.
@susanmak1046
Thanks so much for posting this. It's great!
@charlotteskiftun753
Yes
...thank you