Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Nina Simone · For All We Know [2011]
If sometimes you see that I'm mad
Don't cha 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
Caus' 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
Caus' 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
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" stands as a pivotal track in her discography, originally recorded for the 1961 album "For All We Know." The song is a haunting reinterpretation of the traditional blues standard, characterized by its distinctive vocal delivery and the iconic opening guitar riff that has become synonymous with Simone's signature style. Released during a period when she was navigating complex personal and professional challenges, the recording captures a raw, emotional intensity that defined her approach to jazz and blues. As a staple of her live performances and studio recordings, the track exemplifies her ability to transform familiar material into a deeply personal statement, cementing her status as a master of vocal expression and musical nuance within the jazz canon.