Misunderstood

About

Written by Robbie Williams and Stephen Duffy, Misunderstood was released on 6 December 2004 as the second single from Greatest Hits. It peaked at number eight in the UK and reached the Top 10 in several European countries, while also featuring prominently on the soundtrack to the romantic comedy Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. The song introduced a softer, more introspective side to Williams’ new writing partnership with Duffy, contrasting the eccentric energy of Radio with a gentle, melancholy ballad.

Built around acoustic guitar and harmonica, the track reflects Williams’ preoccupation with vulnerability and perception. “I’m trying to be misunderstood, but it doesn’t do me any good,” he sings, wryly acknowledging the contradiction between the public persona and the private man. Its wistful tone recalls 1970s singer-songwriter pop, framed by a simple melody and an understated arrangement that lets his voice take centre stage.

It’s a song about putting your heart on the line, about the way people get you wrong — and the way you sometimes help them do it.Robbie Williams

The accompanying video, directed by Julian Gibbs, parodied a scene from Bridget Jones in which Williams is interrogated by Thai police over a suitcase full of women’s underwear. Its mix of humour and self-deprecation captured the spirit of the film and of the song itself. Though rarely performed live, Misunderstood endures as one of Williams’ most elegant singles — a tender, rueful reflection on love, identity and the comic absurdity of being misunderstood.