Misunderstood (Mötley Crüe song)
"Misunderstood" is a power ballad by the American rock band Mötley Crüe. It was released as a single from their 1994 self-titled album, Mötley Crüe. The song is notable for its departure from the band's traditional hard rock sound, embracing a more melodic and emotional style influenced by contemporary alternative rock and grunge.
While the Mötley Crüe album featured John Corabi as vocalist, replacing Vince Neil, "Misunderstood" became a relatively successful single, reaching number 24 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The lyrics, written primarily by Corabi, deal with themes of alienation, loneliness, and the feeling of being misinterpreted by others. Musically, the song features acoustic guitar work, soaring vocals, and a softer, more introspective arrangement than many of the band's earlier hits.
The song's music video further emphasized the themes of isolation and emotional vulnerability. "Misunderstood" represented a significant stylistic shift for Mötley Crüe and showcased a different side of their musical capabilities. While some long-time fans were resistant to the change, the song garnered the band some new listeners and remains a noteworthy track in their discography, representing a period of experimentation and evolution in their sound. Its place in the band's overall history is as a significant track from the Corabi-era album and as an example of their foray into a more ballad-oriented, alternative rock sound.