There was, βa lot of preachinβ, a lot of prayinβ & a lot of piano playinβ.β That best describes Andersonβs early years as a Southern Baptist Pastorβs grandson. Add the sweet sound of a gospel singing father, coupled with the big dreams that only a small town will inspire and you get a young man full of emotion, depth, curiosity, and song. Although profoundly influenced by the sounds of his childhood, Anderson East knew early on that his musical landscape was much broader than his conservative upbringing and embarked on a pursuit that would encompass both reverence and rebellion. With lyrics exploring timeless and thought provoking subjects, vocals that both soothe and mend the most human urges to love, hate, cry and lose control, and a palette of musical instruments best described in the art world as mixed media, Anderson East offers the listener something new to the ear yet familiar to the spirit. Bearing an unforgettable voice that allows you to explore the rich emotions of his music, Andersonβs vocals range from soulful cries to haunting whispers, and paint a vivid picture of his lyrics. Described as taking only the best qualities from Otis Redding, Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams, and John Mayer, Andersonβs voice is a lovely blend of unique inflection and delivery that creates a sound of its own.
After independently releasing the well-received EP Fire Demos in 2010, followed by Transitive Property in 2011, a new project was born: the double LP, Flowers of the Broken Hearted. A musical endeavor that explores the human condition of heartbreak through love lived and love lost. With a two LP canvas, Anderson explores his dynamic musical range, offering the listener two independently unique sounds, yet one universal theme.
Embarking on the first half, Anderson set out for Los Angeles and into the studio with co-producer Chris Seefried (Counting Crows, Fitz & the Tantrums), alongside a prized cast of individuals including Grammy award winning engineer Seth A. Horan, and an array of acclaimed musicians including Charles Gillingham & David Immergluck (members of the Counting Crows), Rob Wasserman (Lou Reed), Waddy Wachtel (Stevie Nicks), Don Heffington (Bob Dylan), Noel Scaggs (Fitz & the Tantrums) and Justine Bennett.
The second half of Flowers, recorded back in Nashville, is a modern, darker, more contemplative side of Anderson, a dualistically fulfilling contrast to the more classic Americana/Soul side of the album. Joining East is drummer Evan Hutching, bassist Tim Marks, and cellist Matt Nelson, as well as guest vocalist such as Callie and Phoebe Cryar (The Vespers), Natalie Prass and other gifted Nashville artists.
Flowers of the Broken Hearted is due to be released Summer 2012.
Devil In Me
Anderson East Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gave her life to Jesus.
First Antioch Baptist Church
Where her daddy preaches.
She's pretty as her mama,
she's only 23.
She could be angel
Lord, cause she's bringing out the devil in me.
Lord forgive me for what i'm thinkin.
Its Saturday night and i'm high and I been drinkin,
But Tomorrow morning across the aisle,
I look over and see her smile,
Bow my head and the choir sings,
Lord forgive me, she's bringin out the devil in me
Sundress on a willow tree,
Moon on the water.
I know the Lord's been good to me,
when I look at the preachers daughter
She's my Delilah,
she brings me to my knees,
she could be an angel, cause she's bringing out the devil in me.
Lord forgive me for what i'm thinkin.
Its Saturday night and i'm high and I been drinkin,
But Tomorrow morning across the aisle,
I look over and see her smile,
Bow my head and the choir sings,
Lord forgive me, she's bringin out the devil in me.
The song "Devil In Me" by Anderson East is a story about a young woman who has devoted herself to Jesus and attends the First Antioch Baptist Church where her father is a preacher. Despite her pure and innocent nature, the singer finds himself drawn to her and unable to control his sinful desires. He acknowledges his weakness and asks for forgiveness for his impure thoughts and actions. The vivid imagery of a beautiful girl in a sundress standing by a willow tree with the moon reflecting on the water creates a romantic and dreamy atmosphere that emphasizes the singer's struggle between his physical attraction to the girl and his guilt for having such thoughts.
The lyrics reflect the idea of the duality of human nature, the constant battle between good and evil within ourselves. The girl represents purity and goodness, while the singer is the embodiment of temptation and sin. This conflict, between the desire for pleasure and the need for forgiveness, is a universal and timeless theme that resonates with the listener.
The song "Devil In Me" was released in 2015 by Anderson East and was included in his album "Delilah". The album was produced by Dave Cobb, who has worked with renowned artists such as Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell, and received critical acclaim. The album reached number 4 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and number 38 on the Independent Albums chart. Anderson East's style is a unique blend of soul, blues, country, and rock, and his distinctive voice is often compared to that of Otis Redding.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a girl in Shelbyville,
In Shelbyville, there is a girl.
Gave her life to Jesus.
She is a devout Christian who has devoted her life to God.
First Antioch Baptist Church
She attends the First Antioch Baptist Church.
Where her daddy preaches.
Her father is a preacher at the church.
She's pretty as her mama,
She is as pretty as her mother.
she's only 23.
She is young, only 23 years old.
She could be angel
She is pure and good, like an angel.
Lord, cause she's bringing out the devil in me.
Despite her goodness, she is causing him to give into temptation and sin.
Lord forgive me for what i'm thinkin.
He is asking for forgiveness from God for his sinful thoughts.
Its Saturday night and i'm high and I been drinkin,
He is under the influence and not in a clear state of mind.
But Tomorrow morning across the aisle,
The next day at church, he will be sitting across from her.
I look over and see her smile,
She smiles at him, causing him to struggle with his temptation.
Bow my head and the choir sings,
He bows his head in prayer while the choir sings in the background.
Lord forgive me, she's bringin out the devil in me
Once again, he is asking God for forgiveness for his temptation and lack of self-control around her.
Sundress on a willow tree,
She is wearing a sundress while they are near a willow tree.
Moon on the water.
The moon is reflecting on the water in the background.
I know the Lord's been good to me,
He recognizes that he has been blessed by God.
when I look at the preachers daughter
Looking at her makes him feel happy and content.
She's my Delilah,
She is his temptation and desire, like Delilah in the Bible story (who tempted Samson).
she brings me to my knees,
She has a strong effect on him, causing him to feel weak and powerless.
she could be an angel, cause she's bringing out the devil in me.
Despite her good nature, she is causing him to give into his sinful desires.
Lyrics Β© Ultra Tunes, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DUANE HARDEN, WILLIAM BELL, BOOKER T. JONES, JOSEPH PETER MICHAEL KILLINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@csrios33
I'm 60 years old and I absolutely LOVE this man's songs. I wouldn't have known he was even a "thing" if I didn't love Miranda Lambert so much....what's wrong with radio these days. Play This.
@AlishaLewis100
In my opinion the voice that comes out of this man is first, surprising. He is also the greatest example of how his singing voice is so different than the way he talks. Not many singers, country, pop, rock, or whatever can attain this vocal transformation.Its kinda unexplainable, and very rare, amazing, and awesome! I'm hoping this guy becomes a star, he deserves a grammy just for his singing voice :-)
@wildfirepatchouli2232
I adore you Anderson East! The halls of the cosmetology school I educate at ring with your music! That voice. It just does something to the soul.
@angelahope1970
Love his voice and music
@whatwouldhitchdo
Beautiful. I don't know if any video can do justice to the amazing show he and his band put on.
@tammymcnatt602
I so agree girl!
@Carolina.R.
Love this song and love this video πππ
@sarahmorris301
Absolutely love this song, he's a great singer!!!
@rhondathacker77
Love your voice Anderson... Love you entire CD Can't pick a favorite!! You are going to the top of the charts!!!
@Deadpool-np7hg
Anderson East and Leon Bridges with real music in an age where every song is the same reaches the charts, meanwhile guys like them go unnoticed. If the two of them had existed in the 60's and 70's they'd be legends today, but rest assured you are both legends in my eyes or should I say ears.