Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
The Boswell Sisters accompanied by The Dorsey Brothers Lyrics

The lyrics of "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" by The Boswell Sisters accompanied by The Dorsey Brothers's song explore the inner turmoil of being in love with someone, despite knowing that they are not good for you. The singer expresses their conflicting emotions, stating that they don't want the person, but they cannot bear to lose them either. They recognize that this person has them caught between two extremes, represented by the devil and the deep blue sea, which suggest a choice between two dangerous options. The train of thought continues with the singer forgiving the person for their wrongdoings and always coming back for more despite feeling like they should hate them. The song ends with the painful realization that they need the person even though they don't want them.

The use of vivid imagery in the lyrics communicates a sense of being trapped or stuck in a difficult situation. The devil and the deep blue sea are both symbols of danger or trouble, suggesting that the person the singer is referring to is someone who causes them a great deal of pain. Despite this, it is evident that the singer is unable to break free of their feelings towards this person. The final lines of the song suggest a deep sense of unrequited love, adding a layer of sadness to the already complex emotions explored in the lyrics.