Soul Coughing,was founded by vocalist and guitarist Mike Doughty (who billed himself at the time as 'M. Doughty'), a folk singer, slam poet, and music writer.
Doughty was a doorman at the old Knitting Factory on Houston Street in New York. While working there he met sampler artist Mark De Gli Antoni, upright bass player Sebastian Steinberg, drummer Yuval Gabay, and artist David Linton. Doughty convinced them to join him in forming a new band. They played their first gig, as 'M. Doughty's Soul Coughing' at the Knitting Factory on June 15, 1992, a late-Monday night slot that Doughty cadged from his boss because nobody else wanted it. In 1993, he founded a club night called SLAW at CBGB's 313 Gallery, which was meant to emulate the popular jazz and hip hop club Giant Step, but eventually became a showcase for Soul Coughing. Posters for SLAW were headlined 'Deep Slacker Jazz' (a parody of The Who's slogan 'Maximum R&B'), which became an enduring description of the band's sound.
The band was signed within a year to Warner Brothers subsidiary Slash Records, and released three albums: Ruby Vroom (1994), Irresistible Bliss (1996), and El Oso (1998). They enjoyed minor hit singles with "Circles," "Super Bon Bon," and "Screenwriter's Blues."
The band broke up in 2000, after years of feuding over songwriting credits and publishing money. Doughty continued as a solo artist, and Gabay, Steinberg, and De Gli Antoni have been involved with other projects including a trio disc sans Doughty in 2004.
Blue Eyed Devil
Soul Coughing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blue eyed devil.
Born to be a God among Salesmen.
Working the skinny tie.
Slugging down fruit juice.
Extra tall extra wide.
Six hundred and sixty six
Dig digging it, come on.
Moving door to door to door.
Stoned motel room.
Nice cool on the bathroom floor.
King of Siam
Get the trouble frying.
Spoon to the lighter to the lighter to the gun
Devil lapsed out in a pool of sun
The lyrics of Soul Coughing's "Blueeyed Devil" can be interpreted as being about a person who is driven by greed and materialism, who was born with the natural ability to charm people into buying things from them. The term "blue-eyed devil" has historically been used to refer to a white person who is deceitful, oppressive and exploitative. In this context, it could be interpreted as referring to the singer's charming exterior being a deception to mask their true nature.
The lyrics describe a person who is always on the move, trying to sell their wares door to door. The line "Working the skinny tie" could be interpreted as the person trying to make themselves look more presentable to their prospective customers. The mention of the "King of Siam" could be seen as a throwback to the era of colonialism and imperialism, where those who were born with the inherent privilege of being white and male were seen as superior to others.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue eyed devil.
Repeating the phrase for emphasis on the identity and nature of the character being addressed.
Born to be a God among Salesmen.
The blue eyed devil is naturally suited to excel in the competitive world of sales, where persuasion is an important skill.
Working the skinny tie.
The blue eyed devil is dressed in professional attire to project the image of a successful salesman.
Slugging down fruit juice.
The blue eyed devil drinks a healthy beverage to quench thirst from talking so much while selling products.
Extra tall extra wide.
The blue eyed devil is physically imposing, which is an advantage in sales as it commands attention and respect.
33 degrees
The blue eyed devil belongs to the Freemasons, a secret society with 33 degrees of initiation, implying a high level of influence and power.
Six hundred and sixty six
The number of the beast in Christian theology, indicates that the blue eyed devil is associated with evil or represents something ungodly.
Dig digging it, come on.
Encouraging someone, possibly the listener, to join and appreciate the blue eyed devil's lifestyle.
Moving door to door to door.
The blue eyed devil's persistent and relentless efforts to sell products to every possible customer, regardless of their location.
Stoned motel room.
The blue eyed devil is in a motel room under the influence of drugs, possibly to cope with the stress of sales or to enhance their confidence for selling.
Nice cool on the bathroom floor.
Lying on the bathroom floor to escape the heat and pressure of selling or the effects of drugs.
King of Siam
An allusion to a historical figure known for their power and influence, suggesting that the blue eyed devil is similarly a leader or influencer in their own right.
Get the trouble frying.
An unclear phrase that might suggest the blue eyed devil is a troublemaker or seeks out conflict.
Spoon to the lighter to the lighter to the gun
An ambiguous set of actions involving utensils and weapons that could imply drug use or a criminal lifestyle.
Devil lapsed out in a pool of sun
The blue eyed devil has succumbed to their own vices or sins, lying in the sun completely drained and possibly unconscious.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK DEGLIANTONI, MICHAEL DOUGHTY, SEBASTIAN STEINBERG, YUVAL GABAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LiveAndLetLive2023
"Blue eyed devil
Blue eyed devil
Born to be a God among Salesmen
Working the skinny tie
Slugging down fruit juice
Extra tall extra wide
33 degrees
Six hundred and sixty six
Dig digging it, come on
Moving door to door to door
Stone motel room
Nice cool on the bathroom floor
King of Siam
Get the trouble frying
Spoon to the lighter to the lighter to the gun
Devil lapsed out in a pool of sun"
😶🎤💕
@squarevegroundbowl
Every one of us who is lucky enough to be familiar with this band is so lucky! They are SO good. I was fortunate enough to see them live twice! Awesome band. Cool sound. Cool lyrics.
@kevlars1587
Well put, I saw them in a small theatre in Chicago back in 91', so cool. Doughty immediately put a stop to the moshing that started...it wasn't 'about that' as he said.
@mac-iv5gs
Grew up on em thanks to my mom 💪😎
@craigmocello8552
Yeah man when I was in the navy in 94/98 we used to chow acid on the weekends and this is what was playing on the way to the beach
@rebjiii
this is a kick-ass tune....one of their top 5
@rebjiii
***** my top 8 soul coughing songs: Circles, Soundtrack to mary, the idiot kings, super bon bon, true dreams wichita, janine, $300 and blue-eyed devil
@MegaArratia
rebjiii my top 8 is: super bon bon, is chicago/is not chicago, disseminated, casiotone nation, $300, rolling, st louis is listening & circles (of course)
@rebjiii
Martin Arratia Yep...Circles is a good one.....i will add it to my list
@jakeeverything3915
+Martin Arratia St Louise ... so dope
@Psztyk236
How the hell no one mentioned Screenwriter's Blues? It's one of the most atmospheric tunes I've ever heard
Anyway: Blues, Sugar Free Jazz, MoonSammy, Super Bon Bon, Circles