Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Frank Sinatra Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't want you
But I 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

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Frank Sinatra's song "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" describe a person who is caught between two difficult choices. The first choice is represented by "the devil" - perhaps an allegory for temptation, danger, or a difficult situation. The second choice is represented by "the deep blue sea" - which could indicate the unknown, the uncertain or the intimidating. In this song, both options seem equally challenging and frightening, and the singer is stuck in between them.


The lyrics express mixed emotions of the singer towards their loved one. The person does not want to continue their relationship but afraid of losing them. They forgive their loved one for their shortcomings, but they cannot forget them as well. The person knows they should end the relationship, but the temptation of the loved one's presence and familiarity always pulls them back in, causing a twist in their heart.


Overall, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person struggling to navigate their feelings and desires, and the uncertainty that comes with that struggle. The song shows the internal conflict and the dilemma that many people face in relationships, where love and pain are both intertwined.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't want you
I do not desire to have you.


But I hate to lose you
However, I do not want to let you go.


You've got me in between
I am caught in the middle of a difficult situation because of you.


The devil and the deep blue sea
I am facing two equally bad or dangerous alternatives, where neither is preferable.


I forgive you
Although you have wronged me, I choose to absolve you.


'Cause I can't forget you
Because I am unable to erase you from my mind.


I ought to cross you off my list
I should eliminate you as a possibility or option.


But when you come a-knocking at my door
However, when you seek me out or return to me.


Fate seems to give my heart a twist
It feels like destiny or chance is interfering with my emotions.


And I come running back for more
And I foolishly return to you, despite knowing better.


I should hate you
I should experience strong feelings of animosity towards you.


But I guess I love you
But instead, I have inexplicable feelings of affection toward you.


You've got me in between
You have put me in a difficult or uncomfortable position.


The devil and the deep blue sea
I am stuck choosing between two equally undesirable options.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, S.A. MUSIC, 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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Comments from YouTube:

Jesse Osorio

This is my favorite version of this song Frank's voice is always so satisfying

raul cohaila

Yo prefiero la version de George Harrison , es mas sublime

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