The Devil's Crayon
Wild Beasts Lyrics
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The Devil's crayon
Tracing your shoulderblades
Aglow like rayon
This truly is the Devil's crayon
That all his children can use to draw
And we are so many tiny pieces
And we are so many tiny pieces
This truly is
The Devil's answer
Carved from the tongue
Of this romancer
This truly is the Devil's answer
That all his children use to kiss
And we are so many clambering hands
And we are so many clambering hands
The way you say her name
I want mine said the same, devil
Devil, devil, devil
The way you say her name I want mine said the same
Devil
This truly is the Devil's shoulder
Your arm draped around
Ten times over
This truly is the Devil's shoulder
That all his children will use to throw their loads, their loads on you
To throw their loads on you
And we are so much moulded dough
And we are so much moulded dough
Used to throw their loads on you
Used to throw their loads on you
The Devil’s Crayon by Wild Beasts is a unique and eerie interpretation of the devil’s influence on humans. The song’s opening lines “This truly is the Devil's crayon, tracing your shoulder blades, aglow like rayon” describe the devil’s influence and ability to draw on human bodies like a sketch. The song’s structure reinforces this theme as the lyrics are repetitive and increasingly overwhelming, portraying the devil’s hold on the minds of humans. The use of words such as “children” and “romancer” creates a chilling contrast between innocence and sin, and between love and malevolence. As the song progresses, we see how the devil’s influence results in a gradual loss of the individual’s identity through lines like “we are so many tiny pieces” and “we are so much moulded dough”.
The chorus of the song constantly refers to the Devil and his influence, but notably also speaks of the “loads” thrown onto the individual. These loads are likely the burdens carried by people that symbolize their collective sin and the never-ending pull toward the devil’s forces. The song’s haunting melody and repetition create an eerie feeling of hopelessness, and the lyrics communicate the feeling that humankind is at the mercy of the devil’s whims.
Line by Line Meaning
This truly is
The Devil's crayon
Tracing your shoulderblades
Aglow like rayon
This is the tool of the devil that his children use to paint. It traces the beauty of your shoulder blades that glow like a fabric called rayon.
And we are so many tiny pieces
And we are so many tiny pieces
We are the many small fragments of life that the devil's children have become.
This truly is
The Devil's answer
Carved from the tongue
Of this romancer
This is the response of the devil crafted from the words of a seducer.
And we are so many clambering hands
And we are so many clambering hands
We are the many hands that clamor for the devil's attention.
The way you say her name
I want mine said the same, devil
Devil, devil, devil
The way you say her name I want mine said the same
Devil
I want the devil to speak my name the same way he speaks hers.
This truly is the Devil's shoulder
Your arm draped around
Ten times over
This is the devil's support he gives to his children, with your arm gripping unto him ten times over.
And we are so much moulded dough
And we are so much moulded dough
We are just like the many molded dough shapes that the devil's children have become.
Used to throw their loads on you
Used to throw their loads on you
These molded dough shapes are thrown upon you by the devil's children.
Contributed by Logan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dominorecordco
We're honoured to present the debut single from Hayden Thorpe, Diviner. Watch the beautiful video, directed by Crowns & Owls, now: http://smarturl.it/DivinerYT
@bellenddriversofsussex1375
RIP Wild Beasts. You were a magnificent force in the music world and I miss your sound and creativity.
I was at your final concert at the Eventim Apollo in 2018-a very special and emotional gig.
Thank you for the music!
@RKfMaster
What happened to em?
@darrylwiggins1156
One of the best songs i have ever heard in my life.and i have been following and buying music for 50 years.i have rarely been shaken like this.
@MrLESLO
this song is an absolute gem.
@darrylwiggins1156
I saw this for the first time on a show called new york noise in 2006 or maybe 07.but tht sound of this group has stuck with me all this time.a good song with devastating vocals.i love it.always will.
@donaldpiper9767
This is honestly one of the happiest songs of all time. It's brimming with hope, exuberance and every shard of colour. Now when I listen to it I still feel unashamedly happy but sad that these guys won't be making music anymore.
@KeeyahYashar
Gosh!!! still a fav in 2018! Ten years later!
@solipha1
Heard this as part of the soundtrack to Absynthe, a show at Caesar's Palace - Las Vegas. Amazing!
@tonicalomfirescu9525
Me too!