Devil on my Back
Young Lyrics


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Working my way back to you babe
With a burning love inside
Yeah, I'm workin' my way back to you, babe
And the happiness that died
I let it get away, paying every day

When you were so in love with me
I played around like I was free
Thought I could have my cake and eat it too
Oh how I cried over losing you

For every day I made you cry
I'm paying girl til the day that I die
I'll keep working my way back to you babe
With a burning love inside
I'm working my way back to you babe
With a happiness that died
I let it get away, payin' every day

I used to love to make you cry
It made me feel like a man inside
But if I'd been a man in reality
You'd still be here babe lovin' me

Now the nights are long and lonely
And I'm not too strong babe I just miss you so
And you're too proud, won't give in
But when I think about all I could win

I keep working my way back to you babe
With a burning love inside
I'm working my way back to you babe
With a happiness that died
I let it get away, payin' every day

Yeah yeah yeah

Working my way back to you babe
With a burning love inside
I'm working my way back to you babe
With a happiness that died oh how I'm cryin'




Working my way back to you babe
With a burning love inside

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Young's song "Devil on my Back" tell a classic story of a man who realizes the error of his ways and wants to make amends with the love of his life. The song opens with the man explaining that he's "working [his] way back" to his lover, driven by a "burning love inside." He acknowledges that he let happiness slip away and now he's paying for it every day. He admits that he played around and thought he could have everything, but he was wrong. He cried over losing her, and now he's paying for it.


The chorus is a powerful declaration of his determination to get her back: "I'll keep working my way back to you babe, with a burning love inside." He's not just working to get her back physically, but to reignite the happiness that they once shared. He knows that he let it get away, but he's willing to do whatever it takes to make it right.


The second verse is a bit more introspective, as the man reflects on why he acted the way he did. He used to love to make her cry because it made him feel like a man--but now he realizes that if he had truly been a man, he would have treated her with the love and respect she deserved. He's aware that he can't just snap his fingers and make everything right again--he knows that he has to work for it.


Overall, "Devil on my Back" is a powerful and relatable song that captures the struggle of trying to make things right after a relationship has gone wrong. It's a great reminder of the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, and of the power of love to conquer even the most difficult obstacles.


Line by Line Meaning

Working my way back to you babe
I am trying hard to come back to you, my beloved


With a burning love inside
My love for you is intense and passionate


Yeah, I'm workin' my way back to you, babe
Yes, I am trying really hard to win you back, my love


And the happiness that died
I am longing for the happiness that we shared in the past but has vanished now


I let it get away, paying every day
I am suffering every day, regretting the fact that I lost that happiness due to my own mistake


When you were so in love with me
I remember the time when you were deeply in love with me


I played around like I was free
I was not sincere in our relationship and took it for granted


Thought I could have my cake and eat it too
I was selfish and thought I could enjoy the perks of the relationship without being committed


Oh how I cried over losing you
I regret and feel sad for losing you, my love


For every day I made you cry
I was the reason for your tears and sadness


I'm paying girl til the day that I die
I will suffer and regret my actions for the rest of my life


I used to love to make you cry
I was a cruel person who enjoyed seeing you in pain


It made me feel like a man inside
I was insecure and believed that hurting you would prove my masculinity


But if I'd been a man in reality
If I had been a mature and responsible person in reality


You'd still be here babe lovin' me
We would still be together, experiencing the joys of being in love


Now the nights are long and lonely
My nights are filled with sadness and loneliness


And I'm not too strong babe I just miss you so
I am not strong enough to withstand the pain of missing you


And you're too proud, won't give in
You are a strong and independent person who won't easily forgive or forget my mistakes


But when I think about all I could win
When I think about the good things that we can have together


I keep working my way back to you babe
I am determined to keep trying to be with you, my love


Yeah yeah yeah
An expression of excitement and determination


Oh how I'm cryin'
I am crying because of the pain and regret I feel




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Denny Randell, Sandy Linzer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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