Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
The Costello Show Featuring The Attractions and Confederates Lyrics
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Sometimes I feel a little mad
Don't you know that no one alive can always be an angel
When things go wrong I seem to be mad
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
With a joy that's hard to hide
With other times it seems that all I have to do is worry
And then I know 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 get mad at you I want you to know
That I never mean to take it out on you
Life has its problems and I get my share
But that is one thing I would never do 'cause I love you
Oh whoa whoa, don't you know I'm human
I've got my faults just like any one
Sometimes I lie awake long regretting
Some foolish thing, some sinful thing I've done
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
In this song, The Costello Show uses the lyrics to express the vulnerable and unstable nature of human relationships. The songwriter talks about how sometimes he feels mad and how at times people just can't be angels. He admits his faults and that he can get worried, and wishes that people wouldn't misunderstand him.
He further explains how at times he can be so carefree and joyful, but other times he can be worrying and burdensome. He reassures his loved ones that he never means to take out his problems on them, and that he loves them deeply. He stresses the fact that he is only human and has faults just like everyone else. He admits to lying awake at night regretting some foolish or sinful thing he might have done.
Overall, the theme of the song is one of vulnerability and the fear of being misunderstood. The Costello Show wants to be seen as a good person with good intentions and fears that others may not always see him that way.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby can you understand me now
Asking if the listener can comprehend the singer's thoughts and feelings
Sometimes I feel a little mad
Admitting to occasionally experiencing intense emotions
Don't you know that no one alive can always be an angel
Acknowledging that everyone has flaws and makes mistakes
When things go wrong I seem to be mad
Explaining that difficulties can lead to strong negative emotions
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Stating that despite any negative behavior, the artist's intentions are not malicious
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
Requesting that the listener not judge the singer too harshly
Baby sometimes I'm so carefree
Describing moments of joy and lightness
With a joy that's hard to hide
Pointing out that this happiness is apparent to others
With other times it seems that all I have to do is worry
Showing that worry and stress can overpower positive feelings
And then I know you're bound to see my other side
Expecting that the listener will witness less desirable behavior
If I get mad at you I want you to know
Assuring the listener that anger is not directed towards them personally
That I never mean to take it out on you
Clarifying that the artist does not want to harm the listener
Life has its problems and I get my share
Accepting that difficulties are a natural part of life for everyone
But that is one thing I would never do 'cause I love you
Emphasizing that love prevents the singer from causing harm to the listener
Oh whoa whoa, don't you know I'm human
Reiterating that the singer is not perfect, despite their best intentions
I've got my faults just like any one
Admitting that flaws are a universal trait
Sometimes I lie awake long regretting
Expressing remorse for past actions or decisions
Some foolish thing, some sinful thing I've done
Specifying the type of behavior that is regretted
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Reassuring that the singer's moral compass is aligned with positive values
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
Asking for the listener to see past any negative behavior and understand the artist's core values
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Reiterating the artist's essential nature as fundamentally positive
Oh Lord please don't let me be misunderstood
Restating the hope that the listener will recognize this positive nature
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: BENNIE BENJAMIN, GLORIA CALDWELL, SOL MARCUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@susan3579
[Verse 1]
Baby, do you understand me now
Sometimes I feel a little bit mad
Don't you know no one alive can always be an angel?
When everything goes wrong, you see some bad
[Chorus]
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus]
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
[Bridge]
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 mean to do 'cause I love you
[Verse 3]
Oh, oh, oh, oh, baby, don't you know I'm a human?
I have faults, like any other one
Sometimes I find myself alone regretting some foolish thing
Some simple thing that I've done
[Chorus]
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
@preethibalakrishnan625
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
@bobharmen4812
Baby, can you understand me now?
Sometimes I feel a little mad.
Don't you know that no one alive
Can always be an angel?
When things go wrong, I seem to be mad.
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 other times it seems that all I have do is worry...
And then you're, 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 get 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
But that is one thing I would never do
'Cause I love you.
Oh-hoh, 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.
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good!
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood.
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good!
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood.
(Uncorrected lyrics courtesy of Preethi Balakrishnan.)
@shannonrosenfeld320
Just such a great version of this classic. Elvis rocks it.
@davidcrowder2761
Thank you so much for your comment and continues support 🎶 I appreciate it, god bless you and stay safe
@PeJay154
Played at my old man’s funeral. His choice.
👍
@theotheoth
And was he?
@jimvanhooser2729
Great rendition of this song!!! Loved it!!!!!
@giselaafonso
I was 13 back then and asked my father to buy me King of America. Still have the album and the admiration for this man.
@jimbailey5681
Great vocal! I read in Costello’s autobiography that he had laryngitis when recording this vocal. Still sounds great
@n.g.a.e.g.4534
Well you can tell !
@spursspurs7489
god I love his voice
@smurfunkown6774
I love the voice , I'd love to sing a song like this.