So today I thought it would be fun to take a look at music again. In honor of In the Red, here are some great songs that mention that antagonist of antagonists, that dark prince of evil, that morning star of mayhem, the Devil, himself! Yes, I know these aren’t all of them. These are my favorites and the ones I’m most familiar with. Besides, I have to leave something for you to comment on, don’t I?
What is it that connects rock n’ roll to something a little more than sundry? Whether it be the legend of Robert Johnson, or all the other legends of artists who have sold their souls, for whatever reason ultimate evil has been immortalized in music time and again. So let’s look at some of these tunes, shall we?
1. Sympathy for the Devil – Rolling Stones – One of the classics. From please allow me to introduce myself, to the details of the havoc wreaked with Pilate, Anastasia, and the Kennedys, we get a brief resume of what he’s been up to in the modern world. A very rockin’ ‘hey, I’m Lucifer, I’m just sayin’ hi’ song.
So what songs about the devil are classic to you? What do you like? What songs do you think Satan would rock out to?
2. Runnin’ with the Devil – Van Halen – The simple life ain’t so simple? Word.
3. Shout at the Devil – Motley Crue – Because sometimes you need to. Besides, the devil likes it.
4. The Devil Went Down to Georgia – Charlie Daniels Band – the classic tale of how to beat the morningstar with a fiddle
5. Crossroads/Crossroad Blues – Robert Johnson (also Eric Clapton, and others) – Okay, it isn’t a direct reference to the Prince of Darkness. Still, this song and Robert Johnson are responsible for a lot of the devil in rock n’ roll legend. It’s at the crossroads where bargains are made, where souls are traded for guitar lessons, where you wait for supernatural strangers to come and help you out. And if you happen to miss your curfew and have to rush through the darkness, well maybe it’s because of the times, or maybe it’s because you’ve got demons on your heels.
I will admit that I really wanted to put in Width of a Circle, but I wasn’t quite sure how to bring myself to explain that one. Trust me. Look up it’s meaning and you’ll see what I mean. Fabulous song, though, and one of my favorites from Bowie in that era.
So let’s hear it! What am I missing? What do you think of when you think of a good devil song?
Come Selahway With Me... 
Easy! I think of Tribute by Tenacious D. First of all, I adore Jack Black, but second, it makes me think of The Pick Of Destiny, which of course is a chipped piece of the devil’s fang in that film.
Have you seen it? ExTREMEly funny film. ^_^
I actually haven’t seen that one yet…and I have no idea why, because I love Jack Black! Guess I better get on that one! 🙂
Oh definitely do! Such a fab film, with a pleasant string of cameos too. ^_^