The trio's recording for MWC (Music World Creations, founded by the band's manager, Mel Shaw) of Dodson's "Carry Me" was a major Canadian hit in 1971. It was followed the same year by his "Sweet City Woman", an international hit. As a result The Stampeders received the 1971 Juno Award as vocal and instrumental group of the year. Other hits included "Devil You" (1971) and "Hit the Road Jack" (1975), both popular in the USA, as well as "Monday Morning Choo Choo" and "Then Came the White Man" (1972), and "Oh My Lady" and "Minstrel Gypsy" (1973).
The Stampeders were one of the top touring bands in Canada during the 1970s and appeared in TV specials on the CBC and Global networks. They also toured widely in the USA (where, in 1974, they were the only Canadians to perform at the American Song Festival, held at Saratoga Springs, N.Y., seen on ABC TV) and performed in Brazil in 1972 and in Europe in 1972 and 1973. They were especially popular in the Netherlands, where they along with Beach Boy Carl Wilson won an Edison Award in 1973 for their first European LP (a combination of their first two Canadian LPs).
In 1976 a second drummer and a three-man brass and reed section were added. In December of that year, however, Dodson left to pursue a solo career, subsequently establishing the Marigold label in Toronto and enjoying some success in the 'adult contemporary' market with "Give You That Love", "Cruel Emotion", "No Time to Say Goodbye" (1984) and "Lookin' Back" (1985). Berly left The Stampeders in 1978, at which point King switched to guitar and was joined by his brother Roy (bass guitar) and two other musicians; the band continued for a time as The Stampeders Featuring Ronnie King. The Stampeders continue to tour every summer.
Devil You
The Stampeders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When will you ever learn
I said now devil you
Someday you're gonna burn
Devil you
You never ever come home
All the time you spend wandering you might as well be on your own
You were my one desire
I said now devil you
You used to light my fire
Devil you, we can't go on this way
Always gone in the night
I never see you in the day
And all the morning's when I'm sleeping sound
You knock knock knock knock knock knock
Till the door falls down
And all the men you hang around with
Now Devil you
Devil you
What you do
Devil you you're really into sin
If you tell them all somebody's gonna turn you in
And all the morning's when I'm sleeping sound
You knock knock knock knock knock knock
Till the door falls down
And all the men you hang around with
Now Devil you
Devil You
What you do
The Stampeders' song "Devil You" depicts the singer's frustration with a partner who constantly wanders and leaves them alone. The lyrics are addressed to the partner, referred to as "Devil you," urging them to learn from their mistakes before it is too late, and warning them that they will eventually face consequences for their actions. The singer reminisces about how the partner used to be their desire and would light their fire, but now their relationship is strained due to the partner's absence.
The lyrics touch on the partner's potential involvement in sinful activities and suggest that they are surrounding themselves with questionable people. The singer portrays themselves as a victim of the partner's actions, with the partner knocking down their door in the morning and leaving them feeling alone at night. Ultimately, the message is that the partner's behavior is unsustainable, and they need to change their ways before they face the negative consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Devil you
Addressing the devil
When will you ever learn
Questioning the devil's ability to learn from their actions
I said now devil you
Addressing the devil again
Someday you're gonna burn
Predicting consequences for the devil's actions
Devil you
Addressing the devil once more
You never ever come home
Pointing out the devil's constant absence
All the time you spend wandering you might as well be on your own
Implying the devil's loneliness and lack of companionship
I said now devil you
Addressing the devil once again
You were my one desire
Admitting past desire for the devil
I said now devil you
Addressing the devil once more
You used to light my fire
Referring to the devil's previous influence on the singer
Devil you, we can't go on this way
Asserting that things cannot continue as they are
Always gone in the night
Highlighting the devil's tendency to disappear at night
I never see you in the day
Noticing the devil's absence during the day
And all the morning's when I'm sleeping sound
Describing the singer's peaceful morning routine
You knock knock knock knock knock knock
Depicting the devil's persistent attempts to gain entry
Till the door falls down
Exaggerating the devil's persistence
And all the men you hang around with
Noting the devil's social circle
Now Devil you
Addressing the devil anew
Devil you
Addressing the devil once again
What you do
Questioning the devil's actions
Devil you're really into sin
Accusing the devil of being deeply invested in sinful behavior
If you tell them all somebody's gonna turn you in
Warning the devil of potential tattletales
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulmadsen6405
KEE TO BALA, 10 times they played there, so good they were, great times.
@michaelgallant5479
Can't wait. Tonight in Summerside!!!
@susanwallace1963
GOGOGO! Rock on!!
@rodneyjames70
Cheers ✌️ 🍻 👏 🥂 ✌️
@therecanbeonlyonechris5019
Devil you.... yeah baby!!!
@b67y8y
indeed loved the show last night in halifax on October 15 dalhousie Arts Center
@brendaschmidt7578
Love this band! ❤❤❤
@scottlapointe1505
Me too
@ronniewestcott6697
rock on canada,novascotia
@cleetorishanns5116
Ontario,Eh..lol.