When two people communicate, there is always this potential for misunderstanding. It can be due to a number of factors, such as differing perspectives, communication styles, or simple miscommunication. Whatever the cause, misunderstandings can lead to conflict and hurt feelings.
There are many popular songs that deal with the theme of misunderstanding. Some of these songs try to resolve the misunderstanding, while others simply explore the pain that it can cause. Here’s a look at some of the most popular songs about misunderstanding.
Contents
- 1. “Misunderstandings” by Parlet
- 2. “Misunderstood” by Wilco
- 3. “How Beautiful You Are” by The Cure
- 4. “We Just Disagree” by Dave Mason
- 5. “I Was Just Being Friendly” by John Entwistle
- 6. “No Alibis” by Eric Clapton
- 7. “Maple Leaves” by Jens Lekman
- 8. “Fool in the Rain” by Led Zeppelin
- 9. “Don’t Misunderstand” by Etta Jones
- 10. “Equator” by Sparks
- 11. “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by Animals
- 12. “Silhouettes” by The Rays
- 13. “Some Misunderstanding” by Gene Clark
- 14. “Misunderstandings” by Chris & Cosey
- 15. “I Misunderstood” by Richard Thompson
- 16. “Just A Little Misunderstanding” by The Contours
- 17. “The Misunderstanding” by OMD
- 18. “Hello Goodbye” by The Beatles
- 19. “Misunderstood” by Pete Townshend
- 20. “Misunderstood” by Fastway
- Final Thoughts
1. “Misunderstandings” by Parlet
Starting off the list is a song that is explicitly about misunderstandings. This song is from the album Pleasure Principle and it talks about how misunderstandings can happen in any relationship.
The lyrics talk about how even the simplest things can be misunderstood and lead to conflict. It was released in 1978 and can still be streamed on all major music platforms out there.
2. “Misunderstood” by Wilco
The next song on the list is also called “Misunderstood.” This one is by the band Wilco and it was released in 1996. This song is about a man who is misunderstood by those around him.
He talks about how he is always doing things that he thinks are right, but other people just don’t see it that way. You can find it on the Being There album.
3. “How Beautiful You Are” by The Cure
This next song is a bit more lighthearted, but it’s still about not understanding someone. In “How Beautiful You Are” by The Cure, lead singer Robert Smith is singing to a love interest who doesn’t seem to realize how beautiful they are.
He tries to explain how he sees them, but it’s clear that she doesn’t quite get it. It was released in 1987 for the album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.
4. “We Just Disagree” by Dave Mason
Dave Mason’s “We Just Disagree” is a song about, you guessed it, disagreeing with someone. In this case, it’s a lover that the singer just can’t seem to see eye to eye with.
It was released in 1977 for his Let It Flow album. It now has over 10 million views on Youtube and can also be streamed on other music platforms out there.
5. “I Was Just Being Friendly” by John Entwistle
Next on the list is “I Was Just Being Friendly” by John Entwistle. This song is about a guy who is trying to be friendly with a girl, but she misinterprets his intentions and thinks he’s hitting on her.
It was released in 1972 as a single, but didn’t gain much traction until it was included on the posthumous album Whistle Rymes.
6. “No Alibis” by Eric Clapton
Another song about a man who is accused of something he didn’t do, Eric Clapton’s “No Alibis” finds the singer proclaiming his innocence over a slow, bluesy guitar.
This one is more about the idea of being misunderstood in general. It was released in 1989 for his Journeyman album and can be streamed on all music platforms out there.
7. “Maple Leaves” by Jens Lekman
Next on the list is Jens Lekman’s “Maple Leaves.” It’s a song about a young man who is in love with a girl who doesn’t seem to understand him.
The lyrics are incredibly sad, but the music is upbeat and almost happy-sounding. It was released in 2004 as part of his When I Said I Wanted to Be Your Dog album.
8. “Fool in the Rain” by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain” is a song about a man who is waiting for his love to return, but she never does. He’s left standing in the rain, looking like a fool.
It’s a sad song, but it also has a lot of hope and longing in it. It was released in 1979 on their In Through the Out Door album. If you want to listen to it, you can find it on all major streaming platforms.
9. “Don’t Misunderstand” by Etta Jones
The next song is a little more upbeat, but it’s still about misunderstanding. Etta Jones sings “Don’t Misunderstand” and the message is clear: just because someone doesn’t say what you want to hear, doesn’t mean they don’t care. It’s a popular Jazz song that has been covered by several artists throughout the years.
10. “Equator” by Sparks
Sparks’ “Equator” is a song about a couple that is no longer on the same page. The man in the relationship feels like he’s the only one trying, while the woman seems checked out.
It’s a heartbreaking song about how even the best relationships can fall apart due to misunderstanding. This now has over 37k views on Youtube.
11. “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by Animals
“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” is a song that has been covered by many artists, but it was originally performed by The Animals.
It’s a bluesy song about how we all want to be loved and understood, even if we sometimes come across as tough or angry. This version has over 26 million views on YouTube.
12. “Silhouettes” by The Rays
Next on the list is a song that might be a little less known, but it’s definitely about misunderstanding. “Silhouettes” by The Rays is a song about a couple that is clearly not on the same page.
One person is trying to hold on to the relationship, while the other has already moved on. It was released in 1956 for the album Presenting The Rays.
13. “Some Misunderstanding” by Gene Clark
Gene Clark’s “Some Misunderstanding” is a song about how even the smallest misunderstandings can cause big problems in a relationship.
It’s a sad song about how quickly things can fall apart when we’re not careful with our words. This version has over 160k views on YouTube and can also be streamed on all music platforms out there.
14. “Misunderstandings” by Chris & Cosey
The next song on our list of songs about misunderstanding is “Misunderstandings” by Chris & Cosey.
The lyrics talk about how sometimes we think we know someone, but we really don’t and how this can lead to problems in a relationship. It was released in 1985 as part of their Technø Primitiv album which can be streamed on all music platforms.
15. “I Misunderstood” by Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson’s “I Misunderstood” is a song about how we can sometimes misunderstand the people we love and how this can lead to deeper problems.
It was released in 1991 as part of his Rumor and Sigh album. It almost hit a 100k views on Youtube so be sure to check it out.
16. “Just A Little Misunderstanding” by The Contours
“Just A Little Misunderstanding” by The Contours is a song about how a small misunderstanding can lead to a big problem.
It was released in 1974 and was featured in the movie “SoulBoy”. This now has over 100k views on Youtube and can be streamed on other music platforms out there like Spotify.
17. “The Misunderstanding” by OMD
OMD’s “The Misunderstanding” is a song about how a misunderstanding can lead to the end of a relationship.
It was released in 1980 as part of their Organisation album. This catchy tune will have you hooked from the first listen and can be streamed on all major music platforms.
18. “Hello Goodbye” by The Beatles
Next on the list is a song by one of the most iconic bands in history, The Beatles. “Hello Goodbye” is a track off of their 1967 album, Magical Mystery Tour. The song is said to be about the concept of yin and yang, with the lyrics alternating between positive and negative statements.
It has been covered by popular artists like Paul McCartney and The Cure throughout the years. It remains as one of The Beatles’ most popular songs.
19. “Misunderstood” by Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend’s “Misunderstood” is a song about, you guessed it, feeling misunderstood. It’s a common theme in music, but Townshend brings his own unique perspective to the table.
The song is off of his 1977 album, Rough Mix. This is available for streaming on all music platforms out there.
20. “Misunderstood” by Fastway
Finishing off the list is another song called “Misunderstood”, this time by the English hard rock band Fastway. The song is off of their 1984 album, All Fired Up. It’s a high-energy track that is sure to get your head banging.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, a list of songs about misunderstanding. They vary in genre and style, but they will surely resonate with anyone who has ever felt misunderstood. So put on your headphones, crank up the volume, and let these songs help you vent your frustrations. Thanks for reading!
