Devil In Disguise
Cale J.J. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

From the California shore to New York City
The beat don't never stop
You can hear it on the radio anywhere you go
It's steady as the rhythm of a clock
It cuts through the noise of the city life
It won't seem to go away
It's the devil in disguise I tell you no lies
My fingers do the walking everyday

Yonder comes a young girl she wants to take a whirl
She thinks it's all a dream
She got rock and roll way down in her soul
She wants to know where's the limousine
Get up honey let your mama sit down
You're too young anyway
The devil in disguise give her the prize
Then you can carry her away
When the road I travel starts to unravel

Every which way it goes
The beat starts to press on my bullet proof vest
And my high turns out to be low
Give me my guitar I'm going to go far
Let me see it let me hold it in my hand




I'm the devil in disguise I tell you no lies
I'm playing in a rock 'n roll band

Overall Meaning

The song "Devil In Disguise" by J.J. Cale speaks about the omnipresent nature of rock and roll music. The first stanza talks about how the beat of rock and roll constantly echoes everywhere - from the California shore to New York City, on radios and the streets. It talks about how the beat becomes part of the daily routine and how it captures the rhythm of life in a steady and un-relenting way. The phrase 'devil in disguise' refers to how the beat of rock and roll can be addictive, almost like it has an insidious nature to it. People may not realize how much it affects them until they are left wanting more.


The second stanza talks about how the beat of rock and roll brings people together. It tells the story of a young girl who wants to experience the excitement of rock and roll. She wants to be part of the scene and is swept up by the sounds of the music. The phrase "She got rock and roll down in her soul" shows how the music becomes an intrinsic part of who she is. The devil in disguise 'gives her the prize', but what that prize is, we will never know. It's left to the listener's interpretation.


The last stanza is autobiographical to J.J. Cale. It talks about how music is his armor and how it protects him. The line "Let my high turn out to be low" refers to his drug use, but how he found solace in his guitar. The phrase "I'm the devil in disguise" refers to the fact that through his guitar, he creates music that may be perceived by some as having a dark, devilish nature. But Cale tells us that he's not trying to be something he's not.


Line by Line Meaning

From the California shore to New York City
Rock and roll music can be heard all over the country.


The beat don't never stop
The rhythm of rock and roll is constant and never-ending.


You can hear it on the radio anywhere you go
Rock and roll music is broadcasted widely and can be heard anywhere.


It's steady as the rhythm of a clock
Rock and roll music has a consistent beat like a clock.


It cuts through the noise of the city life
Rock and roll music stands out among the hustle and bustle of city life.


It won't seem to go away
Rock and roll music is pervasive and persistent.


It's the devil in disguise I tell you no lies
Rock and roll music is like the devil in disguise; enticing, tempting, and dangerous.


My fingers do the walking everyday
As a rock and roll musician, he plays his instrument every day.


Yonder comes a young girl she wants to take a whirl
A young girl approaches him and wants to join in the excitement of rock and roll music.


She thinks it's all a dream
The young girl can't believe she is experiencing rock and roll music.


She got rock and roll way down in her soul
The young girl has an innate love and passion for rock and roll music.


She wants to know where's the limousine
The young girl wants to live the glamorous and luxurious lifestyle associated with rock and roll music.


Get up honey let your mama sit down
The singer urges the young girl to dance and enjoy the music while he takes a break.


You're too young anyway
The young girl is deemed too young to understand the risks and dangers of rock and roll music.


The devil in disguise give her the prize
Rock and roll music, which is like the devil in disguise, rewards the young girl's love and passion with excitement and entertainment.


Then you can carry her away
The singer suggests that someone else take care of the young girl and protect her from the dangers of rock and roll music.


When the road I travel starts to unravel
When things go wrong on his journey as a rock and roll musician.


Every which way it goes
No matter which direction he turns, things seem to go wrong.


The beat starts to press on my bullet proof vest
Even though he is seemingly protected with a bullet-proof vest, the rhythm of rock and roll still affects him.


And my high turns out to be low
The thrill and excitement of rock and roll music can be short-lived and can lead to disappointment.


Give me my guitar I'm going to go far
The singer realizes that even though the road may be tough, he will use his guitar to continue his journey as a rock and roll musician.


Let me see it let me hold it in my hand
The guitar is the singer's most valuable possession and he needs it to continue his journey.


I'm the devil in disguise I tell you no lies
The singer equates himself to the devil in disguise as he continues playing rock and roll music.


I'm playing in a rock 'n roll band
The singer is a member of a group of musicians who play rock and roll music together.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: J.J. CALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@davidmesser5813

True love was written all over the face of Christene Lakeland. You could tell she adored her husband JJ. She was just radiant around him, and JJ lives on in her heart and music. Beautiful. Vaughn

@edithalemm2604

Schön das zu erfahren, bin neu hier und war beeindruckt vom blick dieser frau zu jj cale😂😂😂😂❤❤❤

@martinforrester8249

Well said, true love.

@jrgentrset5070

The guitarist over all guitarists.♥️

@larryross1819

It's truly a delight to watch this video, over and over again, just to see Christine and the looks she gives JJ, what a beautiful and happy lady and what a lucky man.

@tereasaross2826

Were they a couple

@danielmalo173

I beleive so! And in love too, like each of us should be, and this world would run much better.
Merci Christine, oui c'est tout une belle expression qui nous est offert pour tout ceux qui aime la musique, de votre homme JJ et votre accompagnement tout autant splendide.
Longue vie à vous Christine,
Beautiful et encore merci,
Daniel

@larryross1819

@@tereasaross2826 36 years together, wow!

@ninihelenebaastad285

Yeah! Nice to Listen to And Watch Such Good and Friendly Musicians Having A Good TIME Together ,All of Them 😉

@alteradler

🎸🎸🎸👍

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