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.
Blueeyed 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
33 degrees
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
The Soul Coughing song, Blueeyed Devil, provides a vivid and intriguing portrayal of a character who seems to be seeking power and status. The repeated phrase, "Blue eyed devil", seems to refer to the character's appearance, but also hints at a sense of malevolence or deceit. The lines "Born to be a God among Salesmen/Working the skinny tie" suggest that he sees himself as destined for greatness, and that he is trying to achieve it through a corporate or business career.
The image of him "Slugging down fruit juice/Extra tall extra wide" paints a picture of a man who is self-indulgent, perhaps trying to compensate for something he feels he lacks. The mention of "33 degrees/Six hundred and sixty six" is likely a reference to Freemasonry and Satanism, adding a layer of religious or occult symbolism to the song. The character seems to be embracing these darker elements as he pursues his goals.
As the song continues, we see the character moving "door to door to door", living out of "Stone motel room[s]". This transient lifestyle suggests that he is constantly striving for something better, but never quite finding it. The line "King of Siam/Get the trouble frying" adds to this sense of restlessness and desperation. The final lines, "Spoon to the lighter to the lighter to the gun/Devil lapsed out in a pool of sun", suggest that the character has descended into drug use and violence, perhaps as a way of coping with his failures.
Overall, Blueeyed Devil is a complex and haunting song that explores themes of ambition, power, and self-destruction. Through its vivid imagery and mysterious symbolism, it captures a sense of longing and unease that is both compelling and unsettling.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue eyed devil
Addressing a manipulative and deceitful person, possibly with blue eyes as a symbol of their untrustworthiness.
Blue eyed devil
Reiterating the previous line to emphasize the singer's distrust and wariness.
Born to be a God among Salesmen
Implying that the person referred to has a natural talent for convincing others and could excel in salesmanship.
Working the skinny tie
Referring to the person's appearance, suggesting they are fashionable and able to manipulate people with their charm and style.
Slugging down fruit juice
Drinking non-alcoholic drinks, possibly to maintain the appearance of a health-conscious individual.
Extra tall extra wide
Indicating a physical appearance that may be both imposing and intimidating.
33 degrees
A possible reference to the highest level of the Masonic order, hinting at a secretive and powerful influence over others.
Six hundred and sixty six
Commonly associated with the biblical number of the Beast or the devil, implying that the person referred to has sinister or evil characteristics.
Dig digging it, come on
Encouraging the listener to understand the underlying sinister meaning behind the seemingly innocuous words.
Moving door to door to door
Possibly referring to the person's occupation as a door-to-door salesman, indicating their persuasive abilities and desire to manipulate others on a personal level.
Stone motel room
Describing a cold and impersonal living space, possibly indicative of the person's detachment from others and lack of empathy.
Nice cool on the bathroom floor
Suggesting a person who is callous and indifferent, possibly even violent or cruel toward others.
King of Siam
A title associated with immense power and authority, implying that the person referred to has a similarly dominant and intimidating presence.
Get the trouble frying
An ambiguous phrase that may imply the person referred to enjoys causing chaos and conflict among others or is adept at solving problems.
Spoon to the lighter to the lighter to the gun
A series of actions that may suggest the person referred to is willing to engage in violent or criminal activities.
Devil lapsed out in a pool of sun
Depicting the person as an inactive and idle figure who is content to bask in the warmth of their own power and control over others.
Lyrics © 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