Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Yusuf (Cat Stevens) Lyrics
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If sometimes I feel a little mad
Don't you know no one alive can
Always be an angel
When things go wrong I seem a little sad
But 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
Sometimes 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
That 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
I don't mean it
People, don't you know I'm only human
Don't you know I have faults like any one
But sometimes I find myself alone regretting
Some little thing; some foolish thing
That I have done,
But 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'm just someone whose intentions are good
Don't let me be misunderstood,
Don't let me be misunderstood
In "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", Yusuf (Cat Stevens) yearns for understanding and acceptance from those around him. He acknowledges that he may sometimes seem moody or unhappy, but he asks that people don't judge him based on his occasional negative moods. He reminds us that everyone has faults and makes mistakes, and he hopes that people can see that his intentions are pure.
The song speaks to the universal human experience of feeling misunderstood and judged by others. Yusuf emphasizes that there is more to him than just his occasional moments of sadness or edginess, and he hopes that people can see that he is just a person with good intentions. The repeating plea to the Lord emphasizes the songwriter's vulnerability and desire for protection and understanding from a higher power.
The pleading tone of the song is enhanced by the simple melody and accompaniment, which are built around a haunting riff played on a guitar. The song is a classic example of the folk-rock style that Yusuf was known for in the 1960s and 70s. It was originally released as a B-side to his hit song "I'm Gonna Get Me a Gun" in 1966, but became a hit in its own right when it was covered by the Animals in 1965.
Line by Line Meaning
People, do you understand me now,
I'm asking if you truly comprehend what I'm trying to say.
If sometimes I feel a little mad
If sometimes I seem a bit crazy.
Don't you know no one alive can
Always be an angel
No one is perfect, and everyone has flaws.
When things go wrong I seem a little sad
When something goes awry, I may appear downcast.
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Despite any surface-level emotions, I have good intentions, and hope to be understood for them.
You know sometimes, I'm so carefree
With a joy that's hard to hide
At times, I am spontaneous and truly happy about life.
Sometimes seems that all I have is worry
And then you're bound to see my other side
But other times, it may appear that anxiety has overtaken me and caused me to change.
If I seem edgy, I want you to know
That I never mean to take it out on you
If I seem on-edge or upset, please know that it is not your fault.
Life has its problems and I get more
Than my share
But that's one thing I never mean to do
I don't mean it
Sometimes, life gives me more challenges than I can handle. However, I never intend to take any frustration out on others.
People, don't you know I'm only human
Don't you know I have faults like any one
But sometimes I find myself alone regretting
Some little thing; some foolish thing
That I have done,
I want you to understand that I am not perfect and make mistakes like everyone else. Sometimes these mistakes linger in my mind, leaving me alone with my regrets.
Don't let me be misunderstood
I'm just someone whose intentions are good
I hope to be understood as someone who has good intentions.
Don't let me be misunderstood,
Don't let me be misunderstood
Please, don't let any misunderstandings cloud your perception of who I am.
Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: Bennie Benjamin, Gloria Caldwell, Sol Marcus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@drrafick
People, do you understand me now
Sometimes I feel a little mad
Well, don't you know that no-one alive
Can always be an angel
When things go wrong I seem to be bad
I'm just a soul who's intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
If I seem edgy, I want you to know
That I never meant to take it out on you
Life has it's problems and I've got my share
And that's one thing I never meant to do
'Cause I love you
Baby, don't you know I'm just human
And I've thoughts like any other man
And sometimes I find myself alone and regretting
Some foolish thing, some foolish thing I've done
But I'm just a soul who's intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
If I seem edgy, I want you to know
That I never meant to take it out on you
Life has it's problems and I've got my share
And that's one thing I never meant to do
'Cause I love you
Baby, don't you know I'm just human
And I've thoughts like any other man
But sometimes I find myself alone regretting
Some foolish thing, some foolish thing I've done
But I'm just a soul who's intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
'Cause I'm just a soul who's intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Oh Lord, don't let me be misunderstood
Don't let me be, don't let me be misunderstood
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
@UnclePutin
The magic of cat Stevens is how the emotion comes through in his voice. It's so expressive.
@emadalzahid4626
This is one of my favorite performances of all time, I swear. The ending kills me.
@Dewdrop00
Outstanding
@maggieandbrophy1327
Our mom has been a fan of yours since the 70’s. She saw you in concert at MSG in New York - Majikat Tour I believe in 1976!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@mandyjohnson1109
Every time I hear this my heart beats just that much faster,, He is the master troubadour of all time.
@JNogueira74
Wonderful version. Age doesn't seem to affect the amazing voice and incredible strength... Your songs have helped me many times on my life. Can't wait for finally see you live next July in Portugal, hope you play this one!!!
@hilalyesil141
Yusuf İslam the beauty of your heart is reflected in your face. This is really. Allah keep you on the right path and l wish all humanity to find the truth greetings from Turkey👏🌹and really nice song.
@brianbezett7976
NOW ..WE R OLD ...WE Live
@aliuzel4211
You are a precious gift to the world. Thanks god.
@iromorii
Bu adamın her yönden büyük bir hayranıyım muhteşem bir insan