The recording of "Sympathy for the Devil" began at London's Olympic Sound Studios on June 4 1968 and continued into the next day; overdubs were done on June 8, 9, and 10. Personnel included on the recording include Nicky Hopkins on piano; Rocky Dijon on congas; Bill Wyman on maracas. Marianne Faithfull, Anita Pallenberg, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, producer Jimmy Miller, Wyman and Richards can be seen performing backup vocals in the film Sympathy for the Devil by Jean-Luc Godard, but this scene was staged specially for the cameras; the actual backing vocals were overdubbed by Jagger, Richards and Miller. Richards plays bass on the original recording, and also the song's electric-guitar solo.
Cover Versions:
The song has been widely covered since its release, including: September 1973 Bryan Ferry's solo effort departure from Roxy Music in These Foolish Things (album), a notable version by Jane's Addiction that was included on their 1987 self-titled live album, a much darker and complex version by jazz-rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears, called "Symphony For the Devil", from the group's Third Album, Inkubus Sukkubus on the album Science and Nature in 2007, Electric Hellfire Club for their 2000 album Empathy for the Devil, Tiamat on their 1999 album, Skeleton Skeletron, Sandie Shaw for her album Reviewing the Situation. In 1991, industrial metal band Skrew included a drastically rearranged cover of the song on their debut album, Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame. In 2005, Ozzy Osbourne released a cover on his box set Prince of Darkness and the related Under Cover release. The Residents perform the two quodlibet as the finale to their album The Third Reich 'n' Roll.
American hard rock group Guns N' Roses recorded a cover in 1994 which featured in the closing credits of Neil Jordan's film adaptation of Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire and was a bonus track on their Greatest Hits album. This cover is notable for causing an incident within the group that was partially responsible for guitarist Slash departing from the band in 1996. The incident was when Paul Tobias, a friend of Axl Rose, recorded a guitar over Slash's guitar without his consent. Slash later stated that this was one incident that prompted him to leave the band. He has described the Guns N' Roses version of the song as 'the sound of a band breaking up'.
In 1996, Natalie Merchant released a live cover of the song. Pearl Jam's "The Water Pouring Song (live)" included an instrumental section of "Sympathy for the Devil". A snippet of the song is often sung by Bono along with "Ruby Tuesday" during performances of "Bad" at U2 concerts, most notably performed at Live Aid in London as well as on the concert film Rattle and Hum.
In 1989, the Slovenian band Laibach released an EP of seven different versions of the song, interpreted as everything from a Wagnerian symphony to a light techno number. A October 31, 1987 version of the song also appears on Widespread Panic's album of live cover songs, Jackassolantern, released in 2004.
In 2006, another cover was made in an Uruguayan rhythm 'murga' by Argentinian Diego Capusotto for his sketch comedy 'Peter Capusotto y sus videos'. In 2008, Wandering Gauchos of Senegal recorded the song for their debut album 'Que Pasa, Diablo?'. This album was released in benefit of fellow refugee Senegalese in Australia. This song was recorded by an assortment of musicians from all over the world including Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, and Australia.
Sympathy for the Devil
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yow
Mm-huh
Mm-uh
Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long yearStole many a man's soul and faith
And I was 'round when Jesus Christ
Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game
Stuck around St. Petersburg
When I saw it was a time for a change
Killed the Czar and his ministers
Anastasia screamed in vain
I rode a tank, held a general's rank
When the Blitzkrieg raged and the bodies stank
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
Oh, yeah
Ah, what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game
Oh, yeah
I watched with glee while your kings and queens
I shouted out, "Who killed the Kennedys?"
Well, after all, it was you and me
Let me please introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
And I laid traps for troubadours
Who get killed before they reach Bombay
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
Oh, yeah
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game
Oh, yeah
A-get down, baby
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
Oh, yeah
But what's confusing you
Is just the nature of my game
Mm, yeah
Just as every cop is a criminal
And all the sinners saints
As heads is tails, just call me Lucifer
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint
So if you meet me, have some courtesy
Have some sympathy and some taste
Use all your well-learned politesse
Or I'll lay your soul to waste, mm, yeah
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
Mm, yeah
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game
Mean it
Get down
Woo-hoo
Ah, yeah
Get on down
Oh, yeah
Mm
Bum, ba-bum, bum, bum, ba-bum
Ba-bum, bum, bum, ba-bum
Bum, ba-bum, bum, bum, ba-bum
Bum, dum, bum, bum, ba-dum, da
Yeah
Ah, yeah
Tell me, baby, what's my name?
Tell me, honey, can you guess my name?
Tell me, baby, what's my name?
I'll tell you one time, you're to blame
Ooh-hoo, ooh-hoo
Ooh-hoo, alright
Ooh-hoo-hoo, ooh-hoo-hoo
Ooh-hoo-hoo, ah, yeah
Ooh-hoo-hoo, ooh-hoo-hoo
Ah yes, what's my name?
Tell me, baby, what's my name?
Tell me, sweetie, what's my name?
Ooh-hoo-hoo, ooh-hoo-hoo
Ooh-hoo-hoo, ooh-hoo-hoo
Ooh-hoo-hoo, ooh-hoo-hoo
Ooh-hoo-hoo, ah, yeah
"Sympathy for the Devil" by The Rolling Stones is a song that personifies the devil, introducing himself to the listener and recounting some of his greatest accomplishments throughout history. The song plays with the idea that the devil has been present throughout history, from Jesus' crucifixion to the Russian Revolution, and is ultimately responsible for the chaos and destruction in the world. However, the devil also claims that his actions are all just part of a game, and that the nature of the game is what puzzles humans most.
The song can be interpreted in different ways, but many believe that it is a critique of humanity's tendency to blame external forces for their problems instead of taking responsibility for their own actions. The devil, in this sense, becomes a symbol not just for evil, but also for the darker parts of human nature. The song suggests that if we don't acknowledge and take responsibility for our role in history, we are doomed to repeat it.
Line by Line Meaning
Please allow me to introduce myself
I want to tell you all about me
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I have a lot of money and enjoy the finer things in life
I've been around for a long, long year
I've been around for a very long time
Stole many a man's soul and faith
I've led many people astray from their beliefs and values
And I was 'round when Jesus Christ
I existed during the time of Jesus' crucifixion
Had his moment of doubt and pain
When Jesus experienced doubt and pain during his crucifixion
Made damn sure that Pilate
I took care to ensure that Pilate played his role in the crucifixion
Washed his hands and sealed his fate
Pilate tried to absolve himself of responsibility for Jesus' death but ultimately sealed his fate for doing it
Pleased to meet you
It's nice to meet you
Hope you guess my name
I hope you can figure out who I am
But what's puzzling you
What you might be struggling with is
Is the nature of my game
what I'm really up to in life
Stuck around St. Petersburg
I was in St. Petersburg at a time when change was imminent
When I saw it was a time for a change
I knew that it was time for something new to happen
Killed the Czar and his ministers
I played a role in the assassination of the Czar of Russia and his government officials
Anastasia screamed in vain
The Czar's family member, Anastasia, was unable to stop their deaths and screamed in terror.
I rode a tank, held a general's rank
I was instrumental in military invasions
When the Blitzkrieg raged and the bodies stank
During times of war and conflict, I was present and aware of the death toll and destruction happening
I watched with glee while your kings and queens
I watched with delight as political leaders struggled for power
Fought for ten decades for the gods they made
These leaders fought for decades and were guided by their own ideologies, which became their religion
I shouted out, "Who killed the Kennedys?"
I was aware of JFK's assassination and spoke out about it
Well, after all, it was you and me
Ultimately it was the collective fault of all society for the downfall of a leader.
Let me please introduce myself
Let me formally introduce myself
And I laid traps for troubadours
I caused problems for entertainers
Who get killed before they reach Bombay
These entertainers often died before being able to complete their tours
Just as every cop is a criminal
Not everything is as it seems, even those we perceive as helpers can be enemies
And all the sinners saints
Those we label as bad might actually be good deep down, and vice versa
As heads is tails, just call me Lucifer
The line represents the duality of everything, good and evil, up and down. Lucifer is a reference to the devil.
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint
I'm not perfect, and I need help to control my bad behavior
So if you meet me, have some courtesy
If you run into me, please be polite to me
Have some sympathy and some taste
Understand that I have feelings too, so show some compassion
Use all your well-learned politesse
Use what you know about manners and social etiquette
Or I'll lay your soul to waste
If you don't follow my advice, I may cause you harm.
Tell me, baby, what's my name?
Can you guess who I am?
Tell me, honey, can you guess my name?
Can you figure out who I am?
I'll tell you one time, you're to blame
You are partially responsible for what has happened to you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Wonton-the-Sea-Snail
"I see an America unafraid of beauty and grace. But you beasts aren't helping."
"Mankind must put an end to the undead, before the undead put an end to mankind!"
"Ugh...need some beans for the chowder here!"
"Your president needs slugs!"
"hehehe, Nothing bad ever happens to the Kennedy's"
@mykneesarebees7242
As a great man once said: “This is the most Mick Jagger song that Mick Jagger ever Mick Jaggered.”
@djordjemaletic5667
Who said that?
@brayzaroo
@@djordjemaletic5667 a great man
@believe_in_milk
@@brayzaroo lol too Great
@dleebox2268
Oh yeh
@mysteryjesus
Mick Jagger said this was the most Bob Dylan song that Mick Jagger ever Mick Jaggered.
@ivarodrigues3601
RIP Charlie..Listening to the Rolling Stones now especially to the sound of your drums..spectacular!
@Greencyclemovements
😎🥳🥳🤩
@ullihoffmann980
This is the least typical piece for Charlie's drums. 😀
@InesZugic-p2u
Ysesd