Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Benny Goodman & Benny Goodman Rhythm Makers 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 Benny Goodman Sextet's song Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea speak of the struggle to let go of someone who is toxic but still holds an irresistible allure. The singer acknowledges that they don't want this person in their life, but they can't bear the idea of losing them either. They find themselves caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, a phrase used to describe having to choose between two equally undesirable options. The singer forgives this person for the pain they have caused, but they can't forget them either.


The singer goes on to say that they know they should let go of this person and remove them from their life, but every time they try, fate seems to intervene and twist their heart, drawing them back in. It's a cycle they can't seem to break, and even though they should hate this person, they admit to still being in love with them. The devil and the deep blue sea represent the difficult choices and tough situations in life that can be unavoidable, leaving us with no good options but to choose the lesser of two evils.


Overall, Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea is a reflection on the difficult and painful nature of toxic relationships, where even though one knows they should let go, they are unable to do so because of their strong emotional attachment to the person. The lyrics capture the feeling of being stuck between a rock and a hard place and the struggle to find a way out.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't want you, but I'd hate to lose you
Although I don't desire you, losing you would be painful


You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
I'm caught in a dilemma with no easy way out


I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
I pardon you, but thoughts of you linger in my mind


You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
Once again, I'm caught in a predicament with no clear resolution


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


But when you come a-knocking at my door
But when you come back into my life


Fate seems to give my heart a twist
I feel torn and conflicted by our reunion


And I come running back for more
Yet, despite my inner turmoil, I return to you


I should hate you, but I guess I love you
In spite of everything, I still have affection for you


You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
Once again, I'm stranded in a difficult and distressing situation


The devil and the deep blue sea
A metaphor for being stuck in a catch-22 situation, where both options are negative




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER ANTON REA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Brian Jarratt

This is a Harry Hudson group (The Blue Jays), vocalist is Eddie Grossbart. Rec.27 Jan 1931.