🎼 Song Information
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Title: Sympathy for the Devil
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Artist: The Rolling Stones
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Album: Beggars Banquet
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Released: December 6, 1968
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Writer(s): Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
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Producer: Jimmy Miller
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Genre: Rock, Samba rock fusion
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Label: Decca (UK), London Records (US)
This track opened Beggars Banquet, one of The Rolling Stones’ most critically acclaimed albums. With its samba-inspired rhythm and haunting lyrics, it quickly became one of their most controversial and powerful songs.
🎤 Song Summary
“Sympathy for the Devil” is written from the point of view of Lucifer — the Devil himself. But rather than portraying a typical demonic figure, the song presents him as a suave, cultured observer who has witnessed humanity’s darkest moments. From the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, to the Russian Revolution, to World War II — the Devil claims to have been present at each one, gently nudging mankind toward destruction.
Musically, the track defies expectations. Instead of dark or heavy tones, it opens with congas and a samba rhythm, creating a hypnotic, almost celebratory vibe. As the song progresses, Mick Jagger’s vocals grow more intense, chanting “Pleased to meet you / Hope you guess my name,” mocking the listener’s inability to see evil behind a charming mask.
The song builds into a chaotic climax, with background screams, piano flourishes, and driving percussion — symbolizing the chaos that evil brings when unnoticed.
🧠 Explaining the Curiosity Behind the Song
Why would The Rolling Stones — known for their rebellious energy — write a song from the Devil’s perspective?
Mick Jagger revealed that the song was inspired by French author Baudelaire and Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel The Master and Margarita, which also features a sophisticated Satan walking among humans. Jagger wanted to provoke thought: What if evil isn’t always monstrous, but seductive and well-dressed?
This concept disturbed many. The song’s release sparked rumors that the band was promoting Satanism. The situation worsened after a tragic event at their 1969 Altamont Free Concert, where a fan was murdered during their performance. Many blamed the band and linked it to this song’s “curse.”
But deeper down, the track isn’t a glorification of evil — it’s a warning. It forces us to consider how easily humanity invites destruction while blaming the Devil. The line “every cop is a criminal and all the sinners saints” blurs moral lines, asking us to reflect on our own responsibility in the world’s tragedies.
“Sympathy for the Devil” is less about Lucifer — and more about us.
📺 Watch the Music Video:
📝 Lyrics
Yeow, yeowYeowPlease allow me to introduce myselfI’m a man of wealth and tasteI’ve been around for a long, long yearStole many a man’s soul and faithI was ’round when Jesus ChristHad his moment of doubt and painMade damn sure that PilateWashed his hands and sealed his fatePleased to meet youHope you guess my nameBut what’s puzzlin’ youIs the nature of my gameStuck around St. PetersburgWhen I saw it was a time for a changeKilled the Tsar and his ministersAnastasia screamed in vainI rode a tank, held a general’s rankWhen the blitzkrieg ragedAnd the bodies stankPleased to meet youHope you guess my name, oh yeahAh, what’s puzzling youIs the nature of my game, ah yeahI watched with glee (whoo-hoo)While your kings and queens (whoo-hoo)Fought for ten decades (whoo-hoo)For the gods they made (whoo-hoo)I shouted out (whoo-hoo)“Who killed the Kennedy’s?” (whoo-hoo)When after all (whoo-hoo)It was you and me (whoo-hoo)Let me please introduce myself (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)I’m a man of wealth and taste (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)And I laid traps for troubadours (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)Who get killed before they reach Bombay (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)Pleased to meet you (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)Hope you guess my name, oh yeah (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)But what’s puzzlin’ you (whoo-hoo)Is the nature of my game, ah yeah (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)Get down, damn itPleased to meet you (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)Hope you guess my name, oh yeah (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)But what’s confusing you (whoo-hoo)Is just the nature of my game, mm yeah (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)Just as every cop is a criminal (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)And all the sinners saints (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)As heads is tails, just call me Lucifer (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)‘Cause I’m in need of some restraint (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)So if you meet me, have some courtesy (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)Have some sympathy, and some taste (whoo-hoo, woo-hoo)Use all your well-learned politeness (whoo-hoo, woo-hoo)Or I’ll lay your soul to waste, mm yeah (whoo-hoo, woo-hoo)Pleased to meet you (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)Hope you guess my name, oh yeah (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)But what’s puzzlin’ you (whoo-hoo)Is the nature of my game, mean it (whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo)Get downwhoo-hoo(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo) oh yeah, get on down(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo) oh, yeahyeah(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo) aw, yeah! A-tell me, babywhat’s my name, tell me, honey(Whoo-woo, whoo-woo) can ya guess my name, a-tell me, baby(Whoo-woo, whoo-woo) what’s my name, I tell you one time(Whoo-woo, whoo-woo) you’re to blame, oohooh-hoo(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo) alright(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo) whoo-hoo-hoo, whoo-hoo-hoo(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo) whoo-hoo-hoo, oh yeah, whoo-hoo-hoowhoo-hoo-hoo, oh yeah(Whoo-woo, whoo-woo) oh, what’s my name, a-tell me baby(Whoo-woo, whoo-woo) what’s my name, tell me, sweetie(Whoo-woo, whoo-woo) a-what’s my name, whoo-hoo-hoowhoo-hoo-hoo, whoo-hoo-hoo(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo) whoo-hoo-hoo(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo) whoo-hoo-hoo, whoo-hoo-hoo(Whoo-hoo, whoo-hoo) whoo-hoo-hoo, oh yeah(Whoo-woo, whoo-woo)(Whoo-woo, whoo-woo)