[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Richard Thompson — I Misunderstood
Album: Action Packed
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 507









Released: 2001
Length: 3:54
Plays (last 30 days): 0
She said "Darling I'm in love with your mind.
The way you care for me, it's so kind.
Love to see you again, I wish I had more time".

She was laughing as she brushed my cheek
"Why don't you call me, angel, maybe next week
Promise now, cross your heart and hope to die".

But I misunderstood, but I misunderstood, but I misunderstood
I thought she was saying good luck, she was saying good bye
But I misunderstood, but I misunderstood, but I misunderstood
I thought she was saying good luck, she was saying good bye

Things I tried to put shine in her eyes
Wire wheels and shimmering things
Wild nights when the whole world seemed to fly

She said "The thing that's so unique
When we're together we don't have to speak.
We'll always be such good friends, you and I"

Oh but I misunderstood, but I misunderstood, but I misunderstood
I thought she was saying good luck, she was saying good bye
But I misunderstood, but I misunderstood, but I misunderstood
I thought she was saying good luck, she was saying good
I thought she was saying good luck, she was saying good
I thought she was saying good luck, she was saying goodbye

Oh, she was saying goodbye, oh, she was saying goodbye
Oh, she was saying, saying, saying, saying
Comments (55)add comment
 Rooney wrote:

I still hear stoop.

 
I keep hearing "But I'm missin' this dude."
 PariIah wrote:

I spent several minutes trying to figure out what the "stood" was, that he seemed to be missing.

When I finally figured out what he was trying to say, I thought maybe he'd BE misunderstood less often if he would only enunciate.

 
I still hear stoop.
I'm a huge fan. Was so glad to see all four of his shows in Berkeley last December. (They were all-request and every night was different). I don't know of any other artist where I would do this... well, maybe the Grateful Dead, if they were still playing.
upon further listening, 7 >>> 8
 Gazraman wrote:
More of richard Thompson's despicable pub singer voice. 
 
I know its brilliant isn't it!
Gotta love the chorus:

"Thought she was saying good luck, she was saying goodbye".

 
More of richard Thompson's despicable pub singer voice. 
 fredriley wrote:
"But I'm missing the stoop" - D'OH! A curse on these mondegreens. Nurse - my eardrops, please!

 
I spent several minutes trying to figure out what the "stood" was, that he seemed to be missing.

When I finally figured out what he was trying to say, I thought maybe he'd BE misunderstood less often if he would only enunciate.
Nurse, Nurse, he is up again....
 {#Shifty}
Wonderful song. Thanks Bill. 
"But I'm missing the stoop" - D'OH! A curse on these mondegreens. Nurse - my eardrops, please!
 Platypus wrote:
i couldn't have said it better myself. extraordinarily bland music and a not-so-great voice.
 
You folks have collectively tin ears. No question.
 dragon1952 wrote:
good grief ....What is there....like 5words in the entire song :^ /

 
So now we're tracking word counts in songs? This is what matters to you? Listen with your ears, not your Word Count under Tools! It's entirely possible that you are using the wrong metric.
Great song from a very talented artist!
good grief ....What is there....like 5words in the entire song :^ /
RP is playing some superb music this afternoon.
I like his voice {#Yes}

{#Silenced}Saw Richard Thompson do this song at Port Fairy a few years ago, Mary Black was also there............did not sing her cover


A genuine treasure. I'm not sure he's recorded a bad song in decades.
Richard Thompson and Emmylou Harris
Emmylou with Richard Thompson - Photo copyright 2012 Nancy Covey


Great lyrics, pretty good music, just cannot stand his vocal style - no idea why.
Perhaps because it sounds so laboured and inflected - so much effort?  
Just heard him play this last night in Raliegh NC! Fabulous still!
I like RP because I hear the originals. Great songwriter. I liked this one better than the cover easily.
Every time I hear R. Thompson on RP, all I hear is a more laid back Nick Cave.
I always loves me some Richard Thompson.
 Stuntcheeks wrote:
I thought he was saying, "But I'm missing this dude."
 
Really ought to get a decent hifi system or an ear wash then. 
 
 justlistening wrote:
Don't mind Dylan, but I agree, Thompson's voice is so monotone and without inflection (to me anyway) he just bores me.
 
To me he sounds snide (in the American sense, although he's British, but I don't know what the real English word should be).
 Dalebarely wrote:
If I could choose one artist to eliminate from the RP playlist, it would be a close call between this guy and Dylan.

Just. Can't. SING.
 


Don't mind Dylan, but I agree, Thompson's voice is so monotone and without inflection (to me anyway) he just bores me.
I Misunderstood a girl once, ok, several girls actually. Sometimes artists don't have the best voices but Thompson has soul in his voice that makes up for it all. Good stuff. Hadn't heard this before in my life. I guess I need to get a life. Thanks RP.
Richard Thompson.. we need more like him. Can he be cloned?
 Stuntcheeks wrote:
I thought he was saying, "But I'm missing this dude."  

"Excuse me while I kiss this guy."
 Stuntcheeks wrote:
I thought he was saying, "But I'm missing this dude."  
 
Oh great! That's all I can hear now too. 
If I could choose one artist to eliminate from the RP playlist, it would be a close call between this guy and Dylan.

Just. Can't. SING.
JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:
You ought to be used to that by now
How much Richard Thompson have you heard/listened to?
Platypus wrote:
i couldn't have said it better myself. extraordinarily bland music and a not-so-great voice.
You ought to be used to that by now
I'm a big RT fan, but sometimes his music is too overproduced for my taste: this is an example. Dinosaur Jr do a great version of this (on "Beat The Retreat").
I thought he was saying, "But I'm missing this dude." oh, well.
justlistening wrote:
I consitently don't enjoy this artist. I can get past the one-dimensional vocals, but the music just keeps screaming bland to me. Oh well, guess I'm in the minority here.
i couldn't have said it better myself. extraordinarily bland music and a not-so-great voice.
I got to meet Mr. Thompson a long time ago; he's a big jazz guitar fan and I used to run into him at gigs. He is a big George Van Eps fan, to his eternal credit.
I consitently don't enjoy this artist. I can get past the one-dimensional vocals, but the music just keeps screaming bland to me. Oh well, guess I'm in the minority here.
Richard Thompson at his very best - insightful lyrics, catchy tune. cool guitar work. I just can't get enough of this guitar and song-writing genius. MORE RT PLEASE!
I love the combination of jazzy touches with guitar and keyboards during the verses, with the steady driving drums throughout. There's also a cool live version of this song out there somewhere, solo acoustic guitar - a little more resentment than resignation in that one.
philarktos wrote:
What a voice !!! Here, let me kiss it all better !
DITTO! So well said!
What a voice !!! Here, let me kiss it all better !
Great song choice!
Never a Richard Thompson fan (or of Linda, either), but I guess I just misunderstand.
More Richard Thompson please.
Great tune. The new album is wonderful too. How about adding it to the playlist?
Yes! Great tune and I agree....add Mary Black to the playlists.
Reminiscent of David Byrne while more accessible that DB at his wierdest.
I (always Misunderstood!) Gr8 LuvLeigh!
Originally Posted by lindydallas: Wow... I love Mary Black's version of this song, but this is the first time I've heard the original. Very nice; --d
Woo hoo! Another Mary Black fan! Speaking of whom...wouldn't she fit right in, here on RP. :)
Wow... I love Mary Black\'s version of this song, but this is the first time I\'ve heard the original. Very nice; --d
I\'d have to think rather intensely to come up with a Richard Thompson song I did not like. A very fine artist indeed and an enjoyable cut.