Died: August 14, 1962, Gothenburg, Swed… Read Full Bio ↴Born: July 09, 1915, Chicago, IL
Died: August 14, 1962, Gothenburg, Sweden
Active: '30s, '40s, '50s
Genres: Jazz
Instrument: Vocals
Biography
June Richmond became one of the very first black singers to be featured regularly with a white band when she performed with Jimmy Dorsey's Orchestra in 1938. An enthusiastic vocalist who was excellent on blues but also effective on ballads, Richmond was a popular attraction during the swing era although never a major name. She worked with Les Hite early on in California, toured with Dorsey, was with Cab Calloway (1938) and then became best-known for her association with Andy Kirk's Orchestra during 1939-42. She became a solo act after leaving Kirk and then from 1948 on mostly worked in Europe, at first based in France and then later on in Scandinavia. June Richmond died of a heart attack at the age of 47. Her only recordings as a leader were four numbers in 1951 with Svend Asmussen and four selections with the Quincy Jones Orchestra in 1957.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
June Richmond 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
The lyrics of June Richmond's "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" describe a dilemma that the singer finds themselves in. On one hand, they don't want the person they're addressing, but on the other hand, they fear losing them. They feel trapped "between the devil and the deep blue sea" - an idiom that refers to being between two equally unappealing options, with no good way out. The singer acknowledges that they should move on from this person, but whenever they come back around, the singer finds themselves drawn back in. The line "I ought to cross you off my list" shows that the singer knows what they should do, but feels powerless to resist this person's pull on their heart.
The lyrics also touch on the complicated emotions that can come with relationships. The singer says that they forgive the person they're addressing, even though they can't forget them. This suggests that the person may have hurt the singer in some way in the past, but the singer can't seem to let go of their feelings for them. The line "I should hate you, but I guess I love you" further emphasizes the conflicting feelings that the singer is experiencing - they know they should feel negatively towards this person, but their emotions are leading them towards love.
Overall, the lyrics of "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" are a poignant exploration of the ways that relationships can pull us in conflicting directions, leaving us unsure of what to do.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want you, but I'd hate to lose you
I have mixed feelings about our relationship. I don't really want to be with you, but I also don't want to lose you.
You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
You've put me in a difficult position. I'm stuck between bad options, with no easy way out.
I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
I'm willing to forgive you for your mistakes because I can't stop thinking about you, even though I know I should.
I ought to cross you off my list
I know I should move on from this relationship and forget about you.
But when you come a-knocking at my door
But every time you come back into my life, I can't resist the temptation to be with you once again.
Fate seems to give my heart a twist
It feels like destiny or some other force is at play, making me drawn back towards you no matter how hard I try to resist.
And I come running back for more
I can't resist the pull you have over me and always end up coming back to you.
I should hate you, but I guess I love you
I know I should feel negative emotions towards you for how you've treated me, but I can't help but still have feelings for you.
The devil and the deep blue sea
I'm stuck in a difficult situation with no good options, like being caught between a rock and a hard place.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, S.A. MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, 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