Remember that night? It seems so clear
Now he's back and I'm glad he's here
Three long years, millions of beers
But the devil is back, so girls, dry your tears
In his favorite club, in his favorite seat
Well I saw the Devil, wing tip shoes on his feet,
Pork pie hat on his head, he was diggin' the beat.
And the band ripped like demons
When he screamed, "Turn On The Heat!"
Well the Devil was drinkin' and dancin' up a storm.
The band was so hot, my beer got warm
Just when I thought it would all cool down,
That evil motherfucker screamed "Burn this place down!"
Wouldn't know the devil if he punched them in the face
Couldn't drink a six-pack, never mind a case.
Don't know how to skateboard, that's just a fuckin' crock
Most of all, they got no balls
And don't know how to rock!

Overall Meaning

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones's song Devil's Night Out is about a night when the Devil came to a club and caused chaos. The singer remembers the night vividly but now that the Devil has returned, he couldn't be happier. The Devil is described as having been absent for three long years and drinking endless beers, but now he's back to his favorite club and favorite seat. The singer sees the Devil for the first time, wearing wing-tip shoes and pork-pie hat, and dancing to the beat of the band. The band is playing like demons and the Devil screams, "Turn On The Heat!" and drinks and dances up a storm. The singer's beer gets warm, a sign of how hot the band is, and just when he thought everything was going to cool down, the Devil screams "Burn this place down!"

The lyrics tell the story of how people who claim to know who the Devil is, wouldn't recognize him even if he punched them in the face, drank a six-pack, or even how to skateboard or rock. The song is critical of those who think they know who or what the Devil is, but in reality, they have no idea. The Devil in this song is represented as someone who knows how to have a good time and enjoys music that rocks. He is a rebel who seeks to stir up trouble, but ultimately just wants to have a good time.

Line by Line Meaning

Remember that night? It seems so clear
The singer recalls a specific night with clarity.

Now he's back and I'm glad he's here
The Devil has returned and the singer is happy about it.

Three long years, millions of beers
It has been three years, and the singer has consumed a multitude of beers during that time.

But the devil is back, so girls, dry your tears
The Devil's return is cause for excitement, and there is no need for tears.

In his favorite club, in his favorite seat
The Devil is in his preferred establishment and seat.

Well I saw the Devil, wing tip shoes on his feet,
The singer sees the Devil wearing wing tip shoes.

Pork pie hat on his head, he was diggin' the beat.
The Devil wears a pork pie hat and is enjoying the music.

And the band ripped like demons
The band played exceptionally well.

When he screamed, "Turn On The Heat!"
The Devil urges the band to really amp up the performance.

Well the Devil was drinkin' and dancin' up a storm.
The Devil is drinking and dancing fervently.

The band was so hot, my beer got warm
The band's performance was so intense that it warmed the singer's beer.

Just when I thought it would all cool down,
The music was seemingly approaching a lull or break in the performance.

That evil motherfucker screamed "Burn this place down!"
The Devil shockingly commands the destruction of the establishment they are in.

Wouldn't know the devil if he punched them in the face
Some individuals are not capable of recognizing the Devil, even if he were to physically strike them.

Couldn't drink a six-pack, never mind a case.
Some individuals cannot handle the consumption of a large quantity of alcohol.

Don't know how to skateboard, that's just a fuckin' crock
Some individuals falsely claim to have skateboarding skills, which the artist sees as fraudulent.

Most of all, they got no balls
Some individuals lack courage or bravery.

And don't know how to rock!
Some individuals do not possess the ability to truly rock out.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DICKY BARRETT, JOE GITTLEMAN, NATE ALBERT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind