Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Jimmy Deuchar Sextet Lyrics

The lyrics of Jimmy Deuchar Sextet's song Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea portray a complex and contradictory relationship between the singer and the person he's addressing. He claims that he doesn't want this person but at the same time, he would hate to lose them, expressing ambivalence and confusion regarding his feelings. The metaphor of being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea gets to the heart of this ambiguity: on the one hand, the singer is drawn to this person despite knowing they're not good for him (the devil), while on the other hand, he's afraid of losing them and being alone (the deep blue sea).

The second verse suggests that the singer has tried to move on from this person, perhaps recognizing that the relationship is ultimately harmful. He knows he should cross this person off his list, but every time they come back into his life, he finds it hard to resist. The final lines of the chorus suggest that the singer both loves and hates this person, suggesting a complex and conflicted emotional state.

Overall, the song is a testament to the fact that love and relationships can be messy and complicated, especially when emotions don't align with logic, and when factors like fear of being alone or attachment issues come into play.