Armatrading has mixed eclectic musical styles over decades of recording and performing. She has had several British hit singles, the biggest of which were "Love & Affection", "Me Myself I", and "Drop the Pilot". Her music is generally pop, with forays into rock, folk, jazz, and even reggae. Her popularity is primarily as an album artist.
She gained a new audience following her writing and performing "The Flight of the Wild Geese", which was used during the opening and end titles for the 1978 film The Wild Geese.
Armatrading first performed in a concert at Birmingham University for her brother at the age of about 16 (circa 1966). She only knew her own songs, but her brother asked her to perform something that would be familiar to the audience; she chose "The Sound of Silence".[9] She then performed her own songs around the local area with a friend from school, and played bass and rhythm guitar at local clubs.
The Devil I Know
Joan Armatrading Lyrics
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Say everything's gonna be all right
Don't worry Joanie
I'll be a little bit late tonight
But I worry
'Cause I know
That's just how I got you
That he has to chase a lot
So I worry
You know
It breaks a poor girl's heart
I know how he works
I know all the signs
I inspired the lines
Men
No self control
Says I'm all he wants
But I watch him prowl
Yet
If I should stray
I'm a wicked child
And he'd make me pay
The devil I know
One of these days
But that's what I always say
The devil I know
And the games that he can play
I know how he works
I know all the lines
Men
No self control
Says I'm all he wants
But I watch him prowl
Yet
If I should stray
I'm a wicked child
And he'd make me pay
The devil I know
The devil I know
One of these days
That's what I always say
But it's the devil I know
The games that he can play
In Joan Armatrading's song The Devil I Know, she sings about a man who constantly cheats on her, but always manages to find his way back to her. The man tells her not to worry, that he'll be a little late tonight, but she's aware that he likes to chase women and worries that it will break her heart again. Despite knowing all too well about his ways and patterns, she still finds herself trapped in his cycle. She's aware of all the signs that he'll cheat on her again, and is even aware that she inspired the lines he probably uses to charm other women.
However, she acknowledges that she's still with him, and this is because of how he manipulates her. In the chorus, she repeats "The devil I know" which could suggest that she's aware of how bad the relationship or situation is with him, but she would rather remain in the relationship, as it's easier than leaving and finding someone new. The song portrays the toxic cycle of an abusive and unfaithful relationship, where the victim stays even though they are aware of what's happening.
Overall, The Devil I Know portrays a relationship where the singer knows exactly what’s coming next, but she's unable to stop it. The song shows how someone can be loyal to a fault, even when that loyalty is not being returned. Additionally, it also shows how manipulating someone can lead to keeping them around, even when you’re not treating them right.
Line by Line Meaning
Makes the call
He initiates the call
Say everything's gonna be all right
He assures her that everything will be fine
Don't worry Joanie
He tries to get her to stop worrying
I'll be a little bit late tonight
He lets her know that he will arrive late tonight
But I worry
She still worries despite his reassurances
'Cause I know
She knows his pattern of behavior
That's just how I got you
He won her over by being late and making her worry
Likes a woman
He is attracted to women
That he has to chase a lot
He is attracted to women who are hard to get
You know
She knows the dangers of this type of man
It breaks a poor girl's heart
She knows that this type of man can cause heartbreak
I know how he works
She is familiar with his tactics
I know all the signs
She can recognize the warning signs
I inspired the lines
She knows that he has used the same tactics on other women before
Men
Referring to men in general
No self control
Men can have a lack of self-control
Says I'm all he wants
He claims that she is the only one he wants
But I watch him prowl
She sees him looking at other women
Yet
Despite his behavior
If I should stray
If she were to look at other men
I'm a wicked child
He would accuse her of being unfaithful
And he'd make me pay
He would punish her for it
The devil I know
Referring to this type of man she is familiar with
One of these days
She knows that one day she will have to leave him
But that's what I always say
She has said this before, but has not left him yet
And the games that he can play
She knows that he plays games with her emotions
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOAN ANITA BARBARA ARMATRADING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind