Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Alex Welsh Lyrics


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I don't want you, but I'd hate to lose you
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea

[Repeat: x2]
I ought to cross you off my list
But when you come a-knocking at my door
Fate seems to give my heart a twist
And I come running back for more
I should hate you, but I guess I love you
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea





You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
The devil and the deep blue sea

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Alex Welsh's song "Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" speak of a conflicted feeling towards a person. The opening lines express a reluctance towards the person, but also an aversion to losing them. This dilemma is illustrated by the use of the expression, "between the devil and the deep blue sea." The phrase refers to being in a difficult or dangerous situation, caught between two undesirable options. In this case, the options are losing someone you don't want, or keeping someone you don't feel you should.


The following lines of the chorus express forgiveness towards this person for some past transgression, yet also convey the inability to forget them. This further emphasizes the internal conflict within the singer, who wants to move on but finds themselves tethered to this person despite their better judgment. The subsequent lines illustrate the cyclical nature of this internal debate, highlighting the singer's lack of agency in this situation. The final lines reinforce the idea that the singer is trapped in this dilemma, unable to escape without some kind of sacrifice.


Overall, the lyrics to "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" serve as a poignant portrayal of the human tendency to be drawn towards something that is ultimately not good for them. It highlights the struggle between the head and the heart in resisting an attraction that can be dangerous.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't want you, but I'd hate to lose you
I don't have any interest in you, but I don't want to lose you either.


You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
Your actions have put me in a difficult, impossible-to-resolve situation.


I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
I choose to forgive you for what you did, but I cannot forget how it affected me.


I ought to cross you off my list
I should remove you from my life.


But when you come a-knocking at my door
Every time I try to distance myself from you, you somehow manage to come back into my life.


Fate seems to give my heart a twist
The universe/destiny seems to have interfered and made me feel a surge of emotion for you.


And I come running back for more
Despite knowing that it's not good for me, I keep coming back to you.


I should hate you, but I guess I love you
I know logically I should hate you for what you did, but for some reason, I love you regardless.


You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
Your actions have put me in a difficult, impossible-to-resolve situation.


The devil and the deep blue sea
A metaphorical phrase, meaning that the situation is so challenging that it feels like being stuck between two equally unpleasant options.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, S.A. MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Michael Friedman

Excellent musical performance !

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