100 Great Songs From The British Invasion: 1963-1966. ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’- The Animals. Another great one from The Animals- ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’ was written by Bennie Benjamin, Horace Ott and Sol Marcus- for singer/songwriter and pianist Nina Simone. Simone was the first to record it in 1964. The Animals would record it and release it in 1965- The Animals lead singer Eric Burdon would say of the song- “It was never considered pop material, but it somehow got passed on to us and we fell in love with it immediately.” ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’ has been a much covered song over the years- versions including a hit version by Santa Esmeralda, Elvis Costello and Joe Cocker- but the go to version and the most known version is The Animals version. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked it at #322 in their 500 Greatest Songs Ever list.
- Single: ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstand’- The Animals
- Record Company- MGM
- Genre: Blues Rock
- Written by Bennie Benjamin, Horace Ott and Sol Marcus
- Time: 2:28
- B-side:’ Club A Go-Go’
- Album- Animal Tracks
- Grade: A+
- Peaked at #15 in US Billboard Hot 100. #3 in UK Singles Chart.
slicethelife 
Animals at their best. Vocals, feel, everything perfect for the time.
Love this song, and one of my favorites by the Animals. Also like the 1978 cover by Santa Esmeralda.
Alan Price keyboard work is fantastic. Vox wasn’t the best organ out there, but he made his speak. Great song. Does it get any grittier than Eric Burdon? Nope.
Of all the songs on your list I think the Animal ones are my favorite
Fantastic. Costello does a good cover.