Most people from time to time feel that others misunderstand their words and actions. Indeed, poorly expressed emotions sometimes prevent others from seeing good intentions. All of us have been in a similar situation.
Perhaps that is why the words of the song Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood are so close to everyone.
History of creation and meaning
The music and catchphrase that would become the title were written by composer and arranger Horace Ott at a time when he was temporarily separating from his future wife, Gloria Caldwell. He offered Saul Marcus and Benny Benjamin to work on the song. This is how Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood was created, which was sung by American singer Nina Simone in 1964.
The song was one of five tracks written by Marcus and Benjamin for Nina Simone’s album Broadway-Blues-Ballads. In addition, it was released as a B-side single. It must be said that the public and critics paid attention to the song and accepted it rather coolly.
But Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood was still waiting for worldwide fame, which fell upon her after The Animals recorded a cover version in 1965. They sped up the tempo, made the rhythm harder, added a clear guitar riff and organ accompaniment. And the manner of performance of Eric Burdon did not resemble the original in any way.
In an interview with SongFacts, Burdon responded to a question about how close the song was to him personally:
Indeed, I have often been misunderstood. Mother, father, school teachers, a couple of women that I was married to. I have been misunderstood throughout my life.
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood performed by The Animals quickly climbed to the top of the charts and entered the list of five hundred greatest songs according to Rolling Stone.
Other cover versions
However, the triumphal procession of Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood did not end there. In 1977, the American-French disco group Santa Esmeralda recorded their version of the song using Latin American motifs, with which they climbed to the top of various charts. This version was later featured on the soundtrack of the movie Kill Bill.
In addition, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood was sung by Joe Cocker, Gary Moore and many others.
Interesting Facts
- Horace Ott is not listed as the writer of “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” because at the time of writing he was employed by Broad Music Incorporated and was not authorized to collaborate with the ASCAP writers Marcus and Benjamin. So instead they recorded Gloria Caldwell.
- When Nina Simone performed “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, many saw in the words the subtext associated with the struggle for the rights of African Americans, to which she paid a lot of attention.
- The song, performed by Simone, is featured in the TV series Luther and in a commercial for J’Adore perfume with Charlize Theron.
- The Santa Esmeralda version is included on the soundtrack to the film “Kill Bill” directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood Lyrics Nina Simone
Baby you understand me now
If sometimes you see I’m mad
Doncha know that no one alive can always be an angel?
When everything goes wrong you see some bad
Well 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 care free
With a joy that’s hard to hide
Then sometimes it seems again that all I have is to worry
And then you burn 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 meant to take it out on you
life has its problems
And I get more than my share
But that’s me one thing I never mean to do
Cos 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 fooling thing
Some simple thing that I’ve done
I’m just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood
I try so hard
So don’t let me be misunderstood
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood lyrics by Nina Simone
Honey, treat me with understanding
If sometimes you see that I’m angry,
Don’t you know that no one can always be an angel?
When nothing works, you see something bad
Well I’m just a soul with good intentions
Oh Lord please don’t let me be misunderstood
Baby, you know sometimes I can be so carefree
What fun is bubbling up from me
Then sometimes I get restless again,
And you get mad when you see me from the other side
But I’m just a soul with good intentions
Oh Lord please don’t let me be misunderstood
If I seem irritable
I want you to know,
I don’t want to take it out on you in any way.
Life is full of problems
And I have more than enough
But that’s what I never want
Because I love you
Oh baby
I’m only human
Don’t you know that I have flaws just like everyone else?
Sometimes when I’m on my own, I regret
About some stupidity
About some little thing that I did
I’m just a soul with good intentions
Oh Lord please don’t let me be misunderstood
I’m really trying,
So don’t let me be misunderstood
