About the song
“Sympathy for the Devil” is an iconic track by the English rock band The Rolling Stones, featuring prominently as the opening song on their 1968 album *Beggars Banquet*. Penned by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song has achieved critical acclaim, securing its place at number 106 on Rolling Stone magazine’s “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list in the 2021 edition.
The inspiration for “Sympathy for the Devil” draws from an intriguing blend of literary influences and historical reflection. Jagger, who was largely responsible for the composition, was influenced by Charles Baudelaire’s poetry and Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel *The Master and Margarita*. The latter, which explores themes of good and evil through a supernatural narrative, was suggested to Jagger by Marianne Faithfull. The original working title of the song was “The Devil Is My Name,” later changed to reflect the devil’s perspective on historical atrocities. This unique approach presents the Devil himself as a narrator, boasting about his involvement in major historical events such as the crucifixion of Jesus, various religious wars, and the Russian Revolution. The lyrics challenge listeners to confront the darkness within humanity by personifying evil through historical violence.
The song’s recording was a collaborative effort that transformed its initial folk inspiration into a compelling samba rhythm. Keith Richards played a crucial role in altering the song’s tempo and incorporating additional percussion, which gave it a distinctive Latin feel. The recording session at London’s Olympic Sound Studios in June 1968 saw the involvement of session musicians and backing vocalists like Nicky Hopkins, Rocky Dijon, and Anita Pallenberg, among others. The infectious rhythm and hypnotic groove of the track, characterized by its samba beat, were a deliberate choice to evoke a primitive, almost ritualistic energy, as Jagger described in later interviews.
“Sympathy for the Devil” quickly stirred controversy, partly due to its provocative content and the band’s previous associations with themes of rebellion and defiance. The song’s portrayal of historical violence and its provocative lyrical content fueled fears among some religious groups and critics, amplifying existing rumors about the band’s supposed Satanic interests. Despite the controversy, or perhaps because of it, the song remains a cornerstone of The Rolling Stones’ catalog and a significant cultural touchstone.
The track’s legacy extends beyond its musical innovation. It has been referenced and celebrated in various forms of media, including Hunter S. Thompson’s *Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas*. Additionally, it played a role in the band’s dramatic public image, particularly noted during the infamous Altamont Free Concert, where its performance was surrounded by chaos and violence.
In summary, “Sympathy for the Devil” stands as a powerful testament to The Rolling Stones’ ability to merge provocative themes with groundbreaking musical styles, cementing its place as one of rock history’s most enduring and influential songs.
Video
Lyrics
Please allow me to introduce myself
I’m a man of wealth and taste
I’ve been around for a long, long years
Stole million man’s soul an 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 Tsar 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
Fought for ten decades
For the gods they made
I shouted out
Who killed the Kennedys?
When 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 reached Bombay
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what’s puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah, get down, baby
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what’s confusing you
Is just the nature of my game
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 politnesse
Or I’ll lay your soul to waste, mm yeah
Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, mm yeah
But what’s puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, mm mean it, get down
Woo, who
Oh yeah, get on down
Oh yeah
Aah yeah
Tell me baby, what’s my name?
Tell me honey, can ya guess my name?
Tell me baby, what’s my name?
I tell you one time, you’re to blame
What’s my name
Tell me, baby, what’s my name?
Tell me, sweetie, what’s my name?