Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Helen Humes & Count Bassie Orchestra Lyrics
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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
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
In "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea," Helen Humes and Count Basie use the metaphor of being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea to describe a situation of being stuck between two difficult choices. The singer's emotions are conflicted, as they no longer want their partner but at the same time, they cannot bear the thought of losing them. This feeling captures the central struggle of the song - a push and pull between leaving someone you no longer want to be with, and staying with them to avoid being alone.
The opening line, "I don't want you, but I'd hate to lose you," sets the tone for the rest of the song's lyrics. The internal conflict that the singer faces is one that many people can relate to, no matter their relationship status. The chorus further emphasizes the feeling of being trapped between two undesirable options, with no clear way out.
The song speaks to the difficulties of relationships, the complexities of human emotions, and the struggles of self-discovery. Throughout this classic jazz standard, the musical composition highlights the heart of these issues. The slow, swinging tempo, and bluesy instrumentation perfectly underscore the lyrical theme.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want you, but I'd hate to lose you
I have mixed feelings about you - I don't really want you in my life, but I can't bear the thought of losing you either.
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
You've put me in a difficult situation where I'm forced to choose between two bad options.
I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
Even though you've hurt me before, I can't help but forgive you because I still have feelings for you.
I ought to cross you off my list
I know that I should remove you from my life, but it's not that easy to do.
But when you come a-knocking at my door
Whenever you show up back in my life, I find it hard to resist the temptation of being with you again.
Fate seems to give my heart a twist
It feels like destiny is playing a cruel game with my emotions by bringing you back into my life.
And I come running back for more
Despite my better judgment, I can't resist the desire to be with you again.
I should hate you, but I guess I love you
Even though I know I should hate you for the pain you've caused me, I can't deny that I still love you.
The devil and the deep blue sea
This phrase is a metaphor for the difficult choice I have to make between two bad options.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zigzag5627
Thanks for posting this! What a great version of this tune! Love both Humes and the work she did with the Basie band.
@phaasch
Just as an aside to these comprehensive intro notes, the actual phrase has its origins in the Royal Navy shipyards, back around the time of Nelson. The "Devil" referred to a particularly long deck seam, very difficult to seal, as it was so close to the side of the ship. There's your useless fact for the day! And Lester Young's solo is brilliant, too.
@spacediva
Thank You For All the History in the About section!
@thebrazilianatlantis165
Helen was born in 1909, she's in the 1910 census.
@rara5426
But.... what do we know about the Jazz / Jump Blues singer Helen Humes
@pianozach1
Helen Humes: 1913 - 1981. Recorded her first album at 14 years old. Sang at Cincinnati's Cotton Club 1936-7. Sang with Harry James's big band before working for Count Basie for several years. She went solo in 1942 and retired in 1967. She returned to singing in 1973 and recorded her 17th and final solo album, Helen, in 1980.