"Sympathy for the Devil" is a provocative and iconic song by The Rolling Stones, released in 1968 as the opening track on their album Beggars Banquet. Written primarily by Mick Jagger and credited to the Jagger–Richards partnership, the song is sung from the perspective of the Devil, who recounts his involvement in various historical atrocities and challenges listeners to reflect on the nature of evil and human complicity123.
Themes and Meaning
- The lyrics present the Devil as a charming, sophisticated figure who claims responsibility for numerous dark events in human history, including the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Hundred Years’ War, the Russian Revolution, the execution of the Romanovs, World War II, and the assassinations of the Kennedys124.
- Rather than glorifying evil, the song serves as a meditation on the darker aspects of human nature and the collective responsibility people bear for violence and cruelty. The Devil’s narrative exposes how evil is intertwined with human actions and history, not just an external force53.
- The famous line, “Just as every cop is a criminal / And all the sinners saints,” underscores the blurred lines between good and evil, suggesting morality is complex and ambiguous. It challenges listeners to reconsider simplistic notions of right and wrong and recognize that everyone has the capacity for both53.
- Mick Jagger drew inspiration from French poet Charles Baudelaire and the Russian novel The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, which features a sophisticated devil figure visiting Soviet Russia. This literary influence shaped the song’s intellectual and philosophical depth124.
Musical Style and Production
- The song evolved from a folk tune into a samba-rock hybrid, thanks to Keith Richards’ suggestion to change the tempo and add percussion, giving it a hypnotic, trance-like rhythm14.
- Backing vocals, including the iconic “woo-woo” chants, were contributed by band members and friends, adding to the song’s eerie and ritualistic atmosphere64.
- Keith Richards’ blistering guitar solo further intensifies the song’s dark, fiery spirit6.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
- Upon release, “Sympathy for the Devil” sparked controversy, with some accusing the band of devil worship, while others recognized it as a critique of societal violence and hypocrisy during the turbulent 1960s74.
- The song has been widely covered and remains a staple of The Rolling Stones’ live performances.
- It has appeared in numerous films and media, notably Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas and The Devil’s Advocate, underscoring its enduring cultural resonance7.
- The song is ranked number 106 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 2021 list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time"1.
Summary
“Sympathy for the Devil” is a complex, intellectually rich rock classic that uses the Devil’s voice to explore human evil, moral ambiguity, and historical violence. It challenges listeners to confront the uncomfortable truth that evil is not just an external force but part of human nature and history, making it one of The Rolling Stones’ most enduring and thought-provoking works.
