Doin' What the Devil Says To Do
Richie Kotzen Lyrics


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I find it hard, to believe
It took all of my living years for me to see
The most of the things I've ever wanted
And most of the things I've ever owned,
keep me from knowing my soul

I feel I'm falling into a trial
I'm listening to a lot of people telling me what I could have
And you know, it´s sound so good, when your head is full of substances and deceive
I don't wanna be lonely, I need a word
I don't wanna be hurt the way that I am

So I'm trying to talk to an angel
But I feel like I'm talking to myself
No matter how hard I try to live
Or how much I believe in you, I'll keep doing what the devil says to do
I'll keep doing what the devil says to do

I keep talking to myself and the conversation never seems to change
You're a liar, you're a fool and you think you're paying dues
saying that you´re hopeless, faithless, but that ain´t true
You're just living something I can´t find my way out of

And I'm trying to talk to an angel
But I feel like I'm talking to myself
No matter how hard I try to live
Or how much I believe in you
I keep doing what the devil says to do
I'll keep doing what the devil says to do

And I'm trying to talk to an angel
But I feel like I'm talking to myself
No matter how hard I try to live
Or how much I believe in you
I'll keep doing what the devil says to do
I'm just doing what the devil says to do
I'll keep doing what my heart tells me to do
And I listen to my heart




And I listen to my soul
I'll keep doing what the devil says to do

Overall Meaning

In the song "Doin' What the Devil Says To Do," Richie Kotzen talks about his struggle with temptation and his inner demons. He admits that for most of his life, he has been pursuing material possessions and things that he thought he wanted, but these things kept him from knowing himself on a deeper level. He acknowledges that he's falling into a pattern of behavior that is driven by substances and deceit. He tries to reach out to an angel for guidance, but he feels like he's talking to himself. He realizes that no matter how hard he tries to live a righteous life, he keeps doing what the devil says to do because it's the easy way out.


The song talks about the struggle between good and evil, and how it's not always clear which one is which. Kotzen realizes that he's been living a life that's fueled by his ego and his desires, and it keeps him from connecting with his soul. He's searching for a way out, but he's not sure if he can escape the grip of temptation.


The song also highlights how addiction can take hold of a person and make them believe they're making their own choices, but in reality, they're guided by their addiction. Kotzen explores how much control we have over our own lives and what it takes to free ourselves from our own demons.


Line by Line Meaning

I find it hard, to believe
It's difficult for me to understand


It took all of my living years for me to see
It took my entire life for me to realize


The most of the things I've ever wanted
The things I desired the most


And most of the things I've ever owned,
The possessions I've had the most of


keep me from knowing my soul
prevent me from understanding myself


I feel I'm falling into a trial
I sense that I'm in a difficult situation


I'm listening to a lot of people telling me what I could have
I'm hearing many voices that suggest what I could achieve


And you know, it's sound so good, when your head is full of substances and deceive
It all sounds appealing when you're under the influence of drugs and lies


I don't wanna be lonely, I need a word
I don't want to be alone, I need guidance


So I'm trying to talk to an angel
Therefore, I'm attempting to reach out to a higher being


But I feel like I'm talking to myself
Yet, it feels like I'm speaking to no one


No matter how hard I try to live
Despite my efforts to live better


Or how much I believe in you, I'll keep doing what the devil says to do
Even if I believe in a higher power, I'll still follow the devil's tempting guidance


I keep talking to myself and the conversation never seems to change
I keep having the same inner dialogue with myself, with no improvement


You're a liar, you're a fool and you think you're paying dues
I tell myself I'm foolish and dishonest and that I'm suffering the consequences


saying that you're hopeless, faithless, but that ain't true
Describing myself as lacking hope and belief, although that's not the case


You're just living something I can't find my way out of
I'm stuck in something I can't escape


I'll keep doing what my heart tells me to do
I'll follow my instincts


And I listen to my heart
I pay attention to my feelings


And I listen to my soul
I pay attention to my inner self


I'll keep doing what the devil says to do
Regardless, I'll still follow the devil's temptations




Contributed by Callie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@omarsantiagocruz7792

I find it hard, to believe
It took all of my living years for me to see
The most of the things I've ever wanted
And most of the things I've ever owned,
keep me from knowing my soul

I feel I'm falling into a trial
I'm listening to a lot of people telling me what I could have
And you know, it´s sound so good, when your head is full of substances and deceive
I don't wanna be lonely, I need a word
I don't wanna be hurt the way that I am

So I'm trying to talk to an angel
But I feel like I'm talking to myself
No matter how hard I try to live
Or how much I believe in you, I'll keep doing what the devil says to do
I'll keep doing what the devil says to do

I keep talking to myself and the conversation never seems to change
You're a liar, you're a fool and you think you're paying dues
saying that you´re hopeless, faithless, but that ain´t true
You're just living something I can´t find my way out of

And I'm trying to talk to an angel
But I feel like I'm talking to myself
No matter how hard I try to live
Or how much I believe in you
I keep doing what the devil says to do
I'll keep doing what the devil says to do

And I'm trying to talk to an angel
But I feel like I'm talking to myself
No matter how hard I try to live
Or how much I believe in you
I'll keep doing what the devil says to do
I'm just doing what the devil says to do
I'll keep doing what my heart tells me to do
And I listen to my heart
And I listen to my soul
I'll keep doing what the devil says to do



All comments from YouTube:

@HoodRatKing90

Richie's voice live is a perfect mix of rock blues and soul

@user-yz1kw2zs8x

Chris Cornell second version

@kevindouglas8768

I listen to this once every day. It's good for the soul.

@sonoramorin6515

What rock have I been living under...that voice, that guitar work, just fantastic!

@1569ksgiants

i felt the same when I first saw him recently. What a large rock it was.

@richiekotzen1051

Thanks for the great love and support you show me as a special fan of mine, I hope you won't stop listening to music, and thanks for your sincere
Compliment and love towards my music 🙏

@stevetrivago

Don’t feel bad…. You’re not alone.. I discovered him through my brother back in 2016… I’ve seen him with this band twice. Once in Bethlehem Pennsylvania at the Arts Quest Center. Very private venue… He had his parents and other family members there… Probably 300 people at most.. incredible concert… unfortunately it was the evening before Cornell died… ironically my brother had said, along with many how Richie and Chris Cornell sounded similar… I also saw him in New Hope Pa. Another small venue… another incredible live show…. I also saw him with the Winery dogs.. Great concert of course with 3 of the best in the business, but I enjoy his other 3 piece band and music more so. You gotta see him live… What you hear here is what you’ll witness… Do It

@stevetrivago

@@richiekotzen1051 you’re an imposter… Richie is too busy spooning his wife and writing new songs to interact on YouTube lol

@StopandScare-

Thanks so much for posting this live version of Richie's Classic!! He is so talented and one of the greatest guitarists ever!

@MoniqueCampos

I agree! =)

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