“Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stones is a profound and historically rich song that explores the omnipresence of evil through a narrative from the Devil’s perspective. Released in 1968, it became a cultural phenomenon, sparking controversy and fascination.
The lyrics weave a tapestry of historical events, from the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to World War II and the Kennedy assassinations, highlighting the Devil’s influence and challenging listeners to confront their own complicity in evil. The song’s title is a metaphorical plea for understanding the darker aspects of human nature, rather than worshiping or denying evil.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Sympathy for the Devil” Lyrics Meaning
[Intro]
Yeow
Yeow
Yeow
The song begins with a series of “Yeow” sounds, setting an energetic and mystical tone.
[Verse 1]
Please allow me to introduce myself
I’m a man of wealth and taste
I’ve been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man’s soul and faith
And I was ’round when Jesus Christ
Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate
The verse introduces the narrator as a “man of wealth and taste” who has been around for a long time, claiming responsibility for stealing souls and faith. This establishes the Devil as a sophisticated and powerful figure. The Devil claims to have been present at significant historical events, such as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He implies involvement in Pontius Pilate’s decision to wash his hands, symbolizing the Devil’s influence over human actions.
[Chorus]
Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name
But what’s puzzlin’ you is the nature of my game
The chorus invites the listener to guess the narrator’s name, emphasizing the puzzling nature of his “game.” This game refers to the Devil’s role in manipulating human history and morality.
[Verse 2]
Stuck around St. Petersburg
When I saw it was a time for a change
Killed the Tsar and his ministers
Anastasia screamed in vain
I rode a tank, held a general’s rank
When the Blitzkrieg raged and the bodies stank
The Devil claims involvement in the Russian Revolution, specifically the execution of the Tsar and his ministers. Anastasia’s scream is a reference to the tragic fate of the Romanov family. He also claims to have participated in World War II, riding a tank during the Blitzkrieg, highlighting his presence in major conflicts.
[Verse 3]
I watched with glee while your kings and queens
Fought for ten decades for the gods they made
I shouted out, “Who killed the Kennedys?”
When, after all, it was you and me
Let me please introduce myself
I’m a man of wealth and taste
And I laid traps for troubadours
Who get killed before they reach Bombay
The Devil observes the Hundred Years’ War, where kings and queens fought for their gods, underscoring the religious conflicts throughout history. He references the assassinations of the Kennedy brothers, suggesting that the responsibility lies with humanity (“you and me”), implying collective guilt. The line about laying traps for troubadours refers to the dangers faced by hippies traveling to the East in search of spiritual enlightenment.
[Verse 4]
Just as every cop is a criminal
And all the sinners saints
As heads is tails
, just call me Lucifer
‘Cause I’m in need of some restraint
So if you meet me, have some courtesy
Have some sympathy and some taste
Use all your well-learned politesse
Or I’ll lay your soul to waste
Mmm, yeah
The verse explores the duality of human nature, stating that every cop can be a criminal and every sinner a saint. This challenges binary morality, suggesting that good and evil are intertwined. The Devil asks for sympathy and courtesy, warning that without it, he will lay souls to waste. This is a metaphorical plea for understanding human nature’s darker aspects.
[Outro w/Guitar Solo]
Woo hoo!
Aww yeah
Get on down
Oh yeah
Ba bum bum, ba ba bum, ba ba bum, ba ba bum, ba ba bum, ba ba bum, ba ba bum, ba ba bum, ba ba bum, yeah
Ah yeah
Tell me, baby, what’s my name?
Tell me, honey, can you guess my name?
Tell me, baby, what’s my name?
I’ll tell you one time, you’re to blame
Ooo hoo, ooo hoo, oooo hoo
All right
Ooo hoo hoo, ooo hoo hoo, ooo hoo hoo
Ah yeah
Ooo hoo hoo, ooo hoo hoo
Ah yes, what’s my name?
Tell me, baby, ah, what’s my name?
Tell me, sweetie, what’s my name?
Ooo hoo hoo, ooo hoo hoo, ooo hoo hoo, ooo hoo hoo
Ooo hoo hoo, ooo hoo hoo, ooo hoo hoo
Ah yeah
What’s my name…
The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus and a series of questions about the narrator’s name, emphasizing the theme of recognizing and acknowledging the Devil’s presence in human affairs.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Sympathy for the Devil”
“Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stones is a deeply symbolic and historically rich song that explores the concept of evil and its omnipresence in human history. Written by Mick Jagger and credited to the Jagger-Richards partnership, the song is not about worshiping the devil but rather about acknowledging the perpetual presence of evil in society. The lyrics are presented from the perspective of Satan, recounting significant historical events such as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Hundred Years’ War, the Russian Revolution, and the assassinations of the Kennedy brothers. This narrative approach allows the song to serve as a commentary on the darker aspects of human nature and the role of evil in shaping history.
The song’s creation was influenced by literary works, notably Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, which explores themes of good and evil. Jagger’s fascination with history and literature is evident in the song’s complex and intellectual lyrics, which contrasted sharply with the optimistic mood of the late 1960s. The timing of its release, during a period of significant social turmoil and political strife, including the Vietnam War and civil unrest in America, added to its impact and interpretation as a reflection of societal chaos.
Musically, “Sympathy for the Devil” evolved from a folk-rock arrangement to a samba-inspired rhythm, which was a deliberate choice to create a unique sound. The song’s transformation was also influenced by Keith Richards, who suggested incorporating additional percussion, and the accidental discovery of distinctive backing vocals. This musical evolution contributed to the song’s enduring appeal and its status as a cultural icon.
The deeper meaning of “Sympathy for the Devil” lies in its exploration of moral ambiguity and the duality of human nature. The song challenges listeners to confront the evil within themselves rather than attributing it to external forces like the devil. The famous line, “Just as every cop is a criminal and all the sinners saints,” underscores this theme by blurring the lines between good and evil, suggesting that morality is not binary but complex and multifaceted. Ultimately, the song invites listeners to reflect on their own capacity for evil and to understand the historical context in which such acts occur, rather than simply condemning them.
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He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.