Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Peggy Lee 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

The lyrics of Peggy Lee's song "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" express the dilemma of being caught between two equally challenging options. The singer cannot fully commit to their lover, as they do not want them, but they cannot let go of them either because of their feelings. The title itself is a common idiom that means being in a difficult or dangerous situation in which you have to make a tough choice. The phrase originates from sailors who used to say: "Between Scylla and Charybdis," which refers to two sea monsters in Greek mythology representing dangerous whirlpools among rocks.


The first verse highlights the singer's internal conflict, as they cannot let go of their lover. Even though they do not want to be with them, they are still afraid to lose them. The second verse shows how the singer tries to justify their actions by forgiving their lover, but they cannot forget them. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's state of being caught in a constant emotional tug-of-war.


The bridge of the song shows that the singer is aware of the rational decision to cut their partner off, but their heart overrides their mind. They acknowledge that they should despise their lover, but love overrides their thoughts. It's like they're aware of the situation they're in, but they cannot help but be caught in the devil and the deep blue sea.


Overall, the song is a representation of love's complex nature, how a person can feel two opposite emotions and still be unable to let go. They are caught between two challenging abstract scenarios: the devil represents the challenging and dangerous option, whereas the deep blue sea is the uncertain but safe option.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't want you, but I'd hate to lose you
I do not have any romantic feelings for you, but the thought of completely losing you pains me


You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
You have put me in a difficult predicament where the only choices available are two equally unpleasant options


I forgive you, 'cause I can't forget you
Even though you have done something wrong, I am willing to pardon you because I cannot move past my feelings for you


I ought to cross you off my list
I should remove you from my life


But when you come a-knocking at my door
However, when you come back into my life


Fate seems to give my heart a twist
Destiny intervenes and stirs up my emotions


And I come running back for more
And I find myself returning to you for another chance


I should hate you, but I guess I love you
I should despise you for hurting me, but I suppose my feelings for you outweigh my anger


You've got me in between the devil and the deep blue sea
Again, you have left me with two undesirable options


The devil and the deep blue sea
A metaphorical phrase meaning being stuck between two dangerous or problematic situations




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@joehallen4510

PERFECTION UTTERLY MAGNIFICENT I LOVE PEGGY LEE REST IN PEACE DEAR ONE

@Onoma314

A seamless transition from the guitar to the piano, so nice :)

@dggd

Salute to you Peggy! Much admiration!

@sapnaanderson7685

Love love love this version of this song.

@elainetrof2001

Love hearing her when she was young

@epipick

Nice to hear this version although I love the George Harrison rendition on his Brainwashed album.

@DrewK.

This is an incredibly ahead of it's time arrangement! It's hard to believe it's from 1945!

@joehallen4510

MAGNIFICENT

@majorsnodgrassthethird5699

She's a natural swinger.

@manolemihaela8298

Wonderful !

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