Carole Creveling was a jazz version of a "one hit wonder." Her one and only… Read Full Bio ↴Carole Creveling was a jazz version of a "one hit wonder." Her one and only album came out in 1955. It was entitled "Here Comes Carole Creveling Vol. 1." There never was a "Vol. 2!" Born in Long Beach, California in the late 30s, she apparently cut her one album, got married, had children and never looked back.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Carole Creveling 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

In Carole Creveling's song "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea", the singer is expressing their conflicted feelings about a relationship. They don't want the person, but they also don't want to lose them. The metaphor of being "between the devil and the deep blue sea" emphasizes the feeling of being caught between two difficult choices. The phrase "devil and the deep blue sea" has been used for centuries to describe a situation in which one must choose between two equally bad options. In this case, the singer is torn between their desire to let go of the relationship and their fear of being alone.

The singer acknowledges their own weakness in the situation, saying "I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you". They also admit to running back to the person when they come knocking at their door, even though they know they shouldn't. The conflict comes to a head with the lines "I should hate you, but I guess I love you", again emphasizing the singer's conflicting feelings towards the relationship.

Overall, the song captures the mix of emotions that can come with being in a difficult relationship, and the sense of being trapped between two bad options.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't want you, but I'd hate to lose you
I am not interested in being with you, but I also do not want to lose you completely from my life.

You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
I am in a difficult situation where I am stuck between two unfavorable choices and have to make a decision.

I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
Even though you have hurt me, I cannot seem to forget you and choose to forgive you for my own peace of mind.

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

But when you come a-knocking at my door
When you reach out to me again, even though I know it may not be in my best interest, I cannot resist.

Fate seems to give my heart a twist
It appears that destiny has a hold on my heart and keeps pushing me towards you.

And I come running back for more
Regardless of the pain you have caused me, I keep coming back for more because of the hold you have over me.

I should hate you, but I guess I love you
Even though I know I should dislike you, I cannot help but still have feelings of love for you.

You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
I am still caught in this difficult position where I have to make a decision that may not be in my best interest.

The devil and the deep blue sea
This phrase refers to being caught in a situation where both options could be disastrous and one must choose the lesser evil.

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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