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:
2016
6:30
148 

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

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 to waste

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, oh yeah
Ah, what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah
(Woo woo, woo woo)

I watched with glee
While your kings and queens
Fought for ten decades
For the gods they made
(Woo woo, woo woo)

I shouted out,
"Who killed the Kennedys?"
When after all
It was you and me
(Who who, who who)

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
(Woo woo, who who)

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

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what's confusing you
Is just the nature of my game
(Woo woo, who who)

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, mm yeah
(Woo woo, woo woo)

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

Woo, who
Oh yeah, get on down
Oh yeah
Oh yeah!
(Woo woo)

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

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

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

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

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


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.

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.

Discuss the Sympathy for the Devil Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Sympathy for the Devil Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/33360786/The+Rolling+Stones/Sympathy+for+the+Devil>.

    Missing lyrics by The Rolling Stones?

    Know any other songs by The Rolling Stones? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Sympathy for the Devil

    77.1M
    392.4K     16,990

    more tracks from the album

    The Rolling Stones in Mono

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Your out of touch, I'm out of time, but I'm out of my head when your not around" is lyrics from a hit 80's song by which artist?
    A Foreigner
    B Hall and Oates
    C Phil Collins
    D Air Supply

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    The Rolling Stones tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Sympathy for the Devil

    »
    • Interview with the Vampire