Friend of the Devil

Grateful Dead

About Friend of the Devil

"Friend of the Devil" is a song recorded by the Grateful Dead. The music was written by Jerry Garcia and John Dawson and the lyrics are by Robert Hunter. It is the second track of the Dead's 1970 album American Beauty. According to band confederate Amy Moore, the song was partially inspired by rakish Grateful Dead road manager/advance man Rock Scully and his entanglements with various women, including longtime common-law wife Nicki Scully; the "child" invoked in the penultimate verse was a homage to Acacia Scully, a child from Nicki Scully's previous relationship who was adopted by the manager. The song is largely acoustic, like most of American Beauty. It is known for the guitar riff Garcia plays in the bass register, which is a descending G major scale (G F# E D C B A G). The song is among the most covered songs written by the Grateful Dead; Hunter later stated, "that was the closest we've come to what may be a classic song." The song was introduced in concert on March 20th, 1970 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. Following the group's October 1974-June 1976 touring hiatus, the song was performed in a significantly slower arrangement with extended guitar and keyboard solos. Loggins and Messina, whose version of the song was slowed down, might have inspired the Dead to do the same. In more recent history, Phil Lesh and Friends have performed a more uptempo version similar to the original. 


Year:
2001
4:19
92 
#1

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I lit up from Reno
I was trailed by twenty hounds
Didn't get to sleep that night
Till the morning came around

I set out running but I'll take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I just might get some sleep tonight

I ran into the Devil, babe
He loaned me twenty bills
I spent that night in Utah
In a cave up in the hills

I set out running but I take my time
A friend of the devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I just might get some sleep tonight

I ran down to the levee
But the Devil caught me there
He took my twenty dollar bill
And he vanished in the air

I set out running but I take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I just might get some sleep tonight

Got two reasons why I cry
Away each lonely night
The first one's named sweet Anne Marie
And she's my heart's delight
Second one is prison, baby
The sheriff's on my trail
And if he catches up with me
I'll spend my life in jail

Got a wife in Chino, babe
And one in Cherokee
First one says she's got my child
But it don't look like me

I set out running but I take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I just might get some sleep tonight

Got two reasons why I cry
Away each lonely night
The first one's named sweet Anne Marie
And she's my heart's delight
Second one is prison, baby
The sheriff's on my trail
And if he catches up with me
I'll spend my life in jail

Got a wife in Chino, babe
The one in Cherokee
The first one says she's got my child
But it don't look like me

I set out running but I take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I just might get some sleep tonight

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Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long musical improvisation. "Their music," writes Lenny Kaye, "touches on ground that most other groups don't even know exists." These various influences were distilled into a diverse and psychedelic whole that made the Grateful Dead "the pioneering Godfathers of the jam band world." They were ranked 57th in the issue The Greatest Artists of all Time by Rolling Stone magazine. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and their Barton Hall Concert at Cor… more »

10 fans

Written by: Jerome J. Garcia, John C. Dawson, Robert C. Hunter

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Band Formation
The Grateful Dead, who performed "Friend of the Devil," is an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California.
Song Popularity
"Friend of the Devil" is among the Grateful Dead's most popular songs.
Album Inclusion
The song is included on the Grateful Dead's fifth studio album, "American Beauty," released in 1970.
Songwriters
"Friend of the Devil" was written by Jerry Garcia, John Dawson, and Robert Hunter. Hunter wrote the lyrics while Garcia and Dawson collaborated on the melody.
Song Inspiration
Robert Hunter reportedly wrote the lyrics in London in 1970 in just 20 minutes. The song then took form when Jerry Garcia composed the melody.
Different Versions
There are two versions of "Friend Of The Devil" - the original on "American Beauty," an upbeat acoustic number, and a slower version Garcia started playing in the late '70s.
Cover Versions
"Friend of the Devil" was widely covered by other artists, with perhaps the most well-known version being a 2000 cover by Counting Crows.
Unique Storyline
The song tells the story of a man who is on the run and being pursued for his criminal activities. It can be interpreted that the "friend of the devil" in the song could be a metaphor for living life on the edge.
Live Performances
"Friend of the Devil" was frequently performed in the Grateful Dead's concert rotation and was well-loved by fans.
Musical Style
The song is known for its folk and country-inspired sound, which marked a shift from the psychedelic rock the Grateful Dead was known for in the 60s.
Spooky Folklore
Some fans associate the song with American folklore, specifically the legend of the character who makes a deal with the devil and loses.
Acoustic Excellence
The tune prominently features Garcia on acoustic guitar and is lauded for its intricate and melodic guitar work.

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