About the song
In the vast expanse of rock music, few songs have managed to capture the essence of darkness, temptation, and the blurred lines between good and evil as effectively as The Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.” Released in 1968, this hauntingly beautiful track has become an anthem for the ages, weaving a spellbinding narrative that continues to captivate listeners to this day.
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, “Sympathy for the Devil” is a masterclass in storytelling, with the song’s protagonist taking on the persona of the devil himself. The lyrics are a masterful blend of historical references, biblical allusions, and poetic license, painting a vivid picture of the devil’s role in shaping human history. From the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to the Russian Revolution, the song’s narrative is a dizzying whirlwind of events, people, and places, all woven together with a thread of dark humor and irony.
Musically, “Sympathy for the Devil” is a tour de force, with the band’s signature blues-rock sound infused with a sense of foreboding and menace. The song’s instrumentation is a slow-burning build-up of tension, with Richards’ guitar work and Charlie Watts’ drumming creating a hypnotic rhythm that draws the listener in. Jagger’s vocals are a tour de force, his voice dripping with menace and seduction as he delivers the song’s lyrics with a sense of detached cool.
But what truly sets “Sympathy for the Devil” apart is its ability to tap into the collective unconscious, speaking to our deepest fears and desires. The song’s themes of temptation, corruption, and the struggle between good and evil are timeless and universal, resonating with listeners across generations and cultures. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of The Rolling Stones or simply a music lover, “Sympathy for the Devil” is a song that demands to be experienced, its mystique and allure continuing to captivate and inspire to this day.
In the end, “Sympathy for the Devil” is more than just a song – it’s a cultural touchstone, a work of art that continues to shape and influence the music world. It’s a testament to the enduring power of rock music to capture the human experience, to explore the darkest corners of our psyche, and to emerge with a work of beauty and complexity that continues to inspire and captivate us all.
Video
Lyrics
Please allow me to introduce myself
I’m a man of wealth and taste
I’ve been around for a long, long years
Stole million man’s soul an 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
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what’s puzzling you
Is the nature of my game
Stuck around St. Petersburg
When I saw it was a time for a change
Killed 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
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name, oh yeah
Ah, what’s puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah
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 reached Bombay
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what’s puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah, get down, baby
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what’s confusing you
Is just the nature of my game
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 politnesse
Or I’ll lay your soul to waste, mm yeah
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, mm yeah
But what’s puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, mm mean it, get down
Woo, who
Oh yeah, get on down
Oh yeah
Aah yeah
Tell me baby, what’s my name?
Tell me honey, can ya guess my name?
Tell me baby, what’s my name?
I tell you one time, you’re to blame
What’s my name
Tell me, baby, what’s my name?
Tell me, sweetie, what’s my name?