Sympathy for the Devil

The Rolling Stones

About Sympathy for the Devil

"Sympathy for the Devil" is a song by English rock band the Rolling Stones, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It is the opening track on their 1968 album Beggars Banquet. Rolling Stone magazine placed it at number 32 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".


Year:
2015
7:43
86 

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Please allow me to introduce myself 
I'm a man of wealth and taste 
I've been around for a long, long years 
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 

Pleased to meet you 
Hope you guess my name 
But what's puzzling you 
Is the nature of my game 

I stuck around St. Petersburg 
When I saw it was a time for a change 
Killed the czar 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
What's puzzling you 
Is the nature of my game

Pleased to meet you 
Hope you guess my name
What's confusing you 
Is 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 
(Who who, who who) 

So if you meet me 
Have some courtesy 
Have some sympathy, and some taste 
(Woo woo)
Use all your well-learned politesse 
Or I'll lay your soul to waste

Pleased to meet you 
Hope you guessed my name, um yeah 
(who who)
But what's puzzling you 
Is the nature of my game, um mean it, get down 

Oh yeah
Oh yeah 
Oh yeah, get on down 

(Woo woo) 

Tell me [x6]

Tell me baby, what's my name 
Tell me honey, can ya guess my name 

What's my name 
Tell me, baby, what's my name 
What's my name 

Woo, who, who 
Oh, yeah 
Woo woo 
Woo woo

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The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in Dartford in 1962. The earliest settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (keyboards, piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). Since Wyman's retirement in 1993, the band's full members have been Jagger, Richards, Watts and guitarist Ronnie Wood who joined in 1975. Darryl Jones (bassist) and Chuck Leavell (keyboardist) are regular contributors but not full band members. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Rolling Stones in 1989, noting that "critical acclaim and popular consensus has accorded them the title of the “World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.”Rolling Stone magazine ranked them 4… more »

26 fans

Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger

Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


7 facts about this song

Genre
1. "Sympathy for the Devil" is mostly known as a samba rock song. It is a fusion of rock and roll and samba music.
Participants
2. The song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Mick Jagger is the lead vocalist, while Keith Richards is the guitarist of The Rolling Stones.
Origins
3. “Sympathy for the Devil” is featured on their 1968 album Beggars Banquet. 4. The lyrics of the song were inspired by “The Master and Margarita”, a book by Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov.
Meaning
5. The song is narrated by a character who represents the devil. However, the song doesn't promote evil, but instead criticizes humanity's role in historical atrocities. 6. The song is a comment on the evil that men do rather than a glorification of the devil.
Recording Process
7. The initial recording of the song was done as a folk song. After several trials and changes, it took on its samba rock rhythm. 8. During the recording of the song, a film called "One Plus One" by Jean-Luc Godard was made, displaying the evolution of the song.
Controversies
9. The song has often been controversial due to its title and lyrics, leading to misinterpretations about its meaning. 10. The release of the song led some religious groups to label the Rolling Stones as Satanists.
Legacy
11. Despite its controversies, "Sympathy for the Devil" is one of The Rolling Stones' most popular and enduring songs. 12. The song has been covered by various artists over the years, including Guns N' Roses and U2. 13. The song, especially its percussion breakdown, has been heavily sampled in various genres, particularly in hip hop. 14. In a Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time," "Sympathy for the Devil" was ranked at No.32.

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