Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Judy Carmichael 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

These lyrics describe the difficult position of the singer in a relationship that is not quite working. The singer knows that they do not want to be with their partner and yet the fear of being alone and losing them is so great that they feel trapped between the proverbial "devil and the deep blue sea." The singer acknowledges that they should hate their partner for the pain they have caused in the past, but instead find themselves forgiving them over and over again because they cannot forget them. Even though they know that they should move on and forget about their partner, they find it difficult when they come knocking at their door.


This song captures the feeling of being stuck in a difficult and sometimes painful cycle of love and forgiveness. The singer recognizes the problems with the relationship but is unable to break free from the hold that their partner has on them. The phrase "between the devil and the deep blue sea" is an idiom that means being in a difficult or dangerous position with two equally undesirable options. In this case, the options are to stay with a partner they don't truly want or to be alone.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't want you, but I'd hate to lose you
I am conflicted because I do not desire you, yet I fear losing you


You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
Your actions have left me stuck in a difficult situation with no easy way out


I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
Despite the pain you have caused me, I am unable to let go of my feelings for you


I ought to cross you off my list
I know that it would be best for me to move on from you


But when you come a-knocking at my door
However, when you return to me seeking forgiveness, I find it hard to turn you away


Fate seems to give my heart a twist
It feels like destiny is intervening, causing my heart to feel conflicted


And I come running back for more
Despite my better judgement, I find myself returning to you again and again


I should hate you, but I guess I love you
Even though you have hurt me, I cannot help but still harbor feelings of love for you


The devil and the deep blue sea
This is a metaphor for the difficult situation I find myself in - stuck between two choices, both of which have negative outcomes




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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