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Andrew W.K, Big K.R.I.T., Iron Maiden, Madonna, and Marilyn Manson are among the musicians appearing on the ‘These 15 Songs Have the Devil in Mind’ playlist.

Disclaimer, disclaimer, DISCLAIMER – this playlist is NOT an endorsement of the left-hand path.  That said, the 15 songs that grace These 15 songs Have the Devil in Mind, do indeed have devil in mind, or at least make reference to him.  Among the brave, better yet dark souls appearing on this devilish affair are Andrew W.K, Big K.R.I.T., Iron Maiden, Madonna, and Marilyn Manson.

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1. Andrew W.K., “The Devil’s on Your Side”

Writer: Andrew W.K. | Producers: Andrew W.K., Bobby Warner, Cherie Lily, Frank “Fast Food” Vierti, Mario Dane, Ted Young & Tom T. Gordon

You’re Not Alone • Sony Music Entertainment • 2018 

“You thought it’d be

An easy trip

But I took you for a ride

Whoa, the devil’s on your side.” 

Andrew W.K. gives this devilish list exactly what it deserves – a hard-rocking, boisterous kickoff.  The eleventh track from the rocker’s 2018 album, You’re Not Alone is epic.  Despite a message sympathetic to the devil, who seems to be himself in this case, this record is as exuberant as they come.  Adding to that exuberance is a major key (good ole C major), with the deviations to minor coming during an epic, incredibly intense instrumental section.  The energy is infectious, regardless of the devilishness.

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2. Shinedown, “DEVIL”

Writers: Brently Stephen Smith & William Frederick Bass, Jr. | Producer: William Frederick Bass, Jr.

ATTENTION ATTENTION • Atlantic • 2018

Andrew W.K. might be more exuberant and optimistic on the aforementioned devilish “The Devil’s on Your Side,” but Shinedown approach things much darker. Set in a minor key, from the jump, “DEVIL” hits you right in the chest. The guitars are incredibly heavy, the drums pummel, while frontman Brent Smith is filled with angst, fire, and the utmost grit.

“‘Cause it’s about to get heavy (Heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy)
It’s about to be on (Heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy)
Yeah, I’m bangin’ slingin’ napalm (Heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy)
So nobody move
‘Cause I was sent to warn you
The devil’s in the next room.”

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3. Big K.R.I.T., “Keep the Devil Off”

Writer: Big K.R.I.T.

4eva Is a Mighty Long Time • BMG Rights Management • 2017

Vibe and production make “Keep the Devil Off” a glorious listen, as opposed a hellish one. The sound of the record is southern to the core, hearkening back to old-school soul and gospel.  Big K.R.I.T. uses this to his advantage, fueling his fire.  There’s organ, guitar, horns, and backing vocals – sheer excellence. Even if you’re not a Christian or a churchgoer, he perfectly captures the feeling like its Sunday services, and he’s the reverend.  The chorus is definitely a key component to the infectiousness.

“Lord be my witness

Gotta keep the devil off (keep the devil off) …

What good are those riches if you’re six feet under?

Lord be my witness, keep the devil off (keep the devil off).”

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4. Brantley Gilbert, “The Devil Don’t Sleep”

Writer: Brantley Gilbert, Michael Dulaney & Sean McConnell

The Devil Don’t Sleep • Valory • 2017

In the context of The Devil Don’t Sleep, the title track (track 14) is sound, straight-ahead country. The darkness of this devilish record bodes well in Brantley Gilbert’s favor. Brantley says it best:

“Lord knows the devil don’t sleep
He never shuts his eyes
You never hear him creepin’
Heaven knows he’s hell-bent on me
Shackles and chains
Thank God that He can break me free
‘Cause Lord knows the devil don’t sleep.”

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5. Halsey, “Devil in Me”

Writers: Greg Kurstin, Halsey & Sia Furler | Producer: Greg Kurstin

Hopeless Fountain Kingdom • Astralwerks • 2017

“I won’t take anyone down if I crawl tonight

But I still let everyone down when I change in size

And I went tumbling down tryna reach your high

But I scream too loud if I speak my mind.”

Regardless of the edition of Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, “Devil in Me” is the album’s penultimate track. The adverse effects of love affect Halsey on the slick “Devil in Me,” where she asserts, “I don’t wanna wake it up / The devil in me.”  On the post-chorus, she comes to the realization she’s “gotta wake up, come back to life.”

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6. Marilyn Manson, “SAY10”

Writers: Marilyn Manson & Tyler Bates | Producer: Tyler Bates

Heaven Upside Down • Loma Vista • 2017

“Devil’s got a cut, like a slit in a cattle’s calf
Dollar-sign snakes, I’m all in the damn
God-less, fearless of the flood
Or the blood of the coming Spring.”

The left-hand path is empowered on “SAY10,” clearly a play on Satan.  Making “SAY10” even more enigmatic and frightening is the music.  Initially, on the first verse, “SAY10” sounds completely foreboding, with Marilyn Manson singing in a whisper.

On the chorus, the deck of cards is completely revealed with a catchy, yet incredibly blasphemous hook. Chocked full of religious references, “SAY10” transcends its beastly title.

“So, you say ‘GOD’ and I say ‘SAY10’
You say ‘GOD’ and I say ‘SAY10’
SAY, SAY, SAY10.”

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7. Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, “Devil Callin’ Me Back”

Writers: Ben Carver, Jesse Frasure & Nolan Sipe

The Rest of Our Life • Sony • 2017

“Wanna talk about troubles
I’m coming up on six feet deep
I can’t put down the shovel
She gonna be the death of me.”

The electrifying, feisty “Devil Callin’ Me Back” gives the Tim McGraw-Faith Hill collaborative album The Rest of Our Life the jolt of energy it needs. “Devil Callin’ Me Back” follows a trio of solid, yet less memorable cuts.  It’s brief but finds both artists showcasing attitude and giving their all.  

“I hear the devil calling me back
I hear the devil calling me back home.” 

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8. The Avett Brothers, “Satan Pulls the Strings”

Writers: Robert William Crawford, Jr., Scott Yancey Avett & Timothy Seth Avett

True Sadness • Republic • 2016

On “Satan Pulls the Strings” The Avett Brothers pack more angst and more oomph.  “The devil’s in my head,” the band asserts fusing folk, country, rock, and dashes of electronica. While “Satan Pulls the Strings” doesn’t have a bass drop, this more progressive record isn’t what one normally finds on most traditional folk or Americana albums.

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9. Cash Cash, “Devil”

Ft. B.o.B, Busta Rhymes & Neon Hitch

Writers: Alexander Makhlouf, Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., Jean Paul Makhlouf, Neon Hitch, Samuel Frisch & T. Smith | Producers: Cash Cash

Blood, Sweat & 3 Years • Big Beat • 2016

“Devil,” featuring Busta Rhymes, B.o.B., and Neon Hitch, is the crème de la crème of Cash Cash’s 2014 album, Blood, Sweat & 3 Years.  Swag is written all over “Devil,” thanks to Neon Hitch’s confident hook and B.o.B and Busta Rhymes’ biting rhymes.  Trap production and artistic talents aside, the best moment is catch-line, “The Cash Cash made my ass bounce back.”

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10. Tyler Glenn, “Devil”

Writers: Grant Michael, Sam Hollander & Tyler Glenn | Producer: Tim Pagnotta

Excommunication • Island • 2016

“Sunday mornings make me nervous.” Tyler Glenn (Neon Trees) was pissed off on his debut solo album, Excommunication.  The album focused on his break with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  The main reason for this break was Glenn’s homosexuality. Disappointed by being unaccepted by the church as a gay man, naturally, he left.  One of the biggest instances of his newfound skepticism towards religion comes at the end of Excommunication, “Devil.”

“I think the devil made me

Do it, do it, baby

I found myself when I lost my faith

I found myself when I lost my faith.”

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11. Madonna, “Devil Pray”

Writers: Carl Falk, Madonna, Rami Yacoub, Savan Kotecha & Tim Bergling

Rebel Heart • Interscope • 2015

“Take my sins and wash them away
Teach me how to pray
I’ve been stranded here in the dark
Take these walls away.”

On Madonna’s 2015 album Rebel Heart, “Devil Pray” darkly contrasts the record that precedes it, “Living for Love.” “Devil Pray” tackles spirituality, drugs, and perseverance. Its enigmatic sound captivates with inescapable eeriness.

“Yeah, we can run and we can hide, but we won’t find the answers
If you go down, then you’ll get help along the way
But if you wanna save your soul, then we should travel all together
And make the devil pray.”

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12. Marilyn Manson, “The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles”

Writers & Producers: Marilyn Manson & Tyler Bates

The Pale Emperor • Loma Vista • 2015

“Are we fated, faithful, or fatal?” Marilyn Manson makes his second appearance on this list, portraying himself as “The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles.” “The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles” appears on Manson’s 2015 album, The Pale Emperor.  Manson is honest, singing:

“I’m feeling stoned and alone like a heretic

And I’m ready to meet my maker

I feel stoned and alone like a heretic

I’m ready to meet my maker

Lazarus got no dirt on me, and I rise to every occasion.”

The blasphemous lyric is open to multiple interpretations, but honestly, can the most devout Biblical scholar deny the cleverness of Manson’s lyrical reference?

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13. Yelawolf, “Devil in my Veins”

Writers: Caleb Owens, Joshua Winkler & Michael Atha

Love Story • Interscope • 2015

“The morning’s a cross I bear when I wake
Am I asleep? Have I broken my faith?
Down on my knees, can you hear me when I pray?
Or am I a little too late to…”

On his 2015 album Love Story, Yelawolf amped up the southern influence, incorporating more country music cues and elements.  It wasn’t a perfect album but had its fair share of moments. “Devil in My Veins” is a perfect example of the heavy southern influence of the album.  Ultimately, this devilish number comes off as an old-school country/folk ballad, rivaling the likes of “The House of The Rising Sun.” This record shouldn’t work but given Yelawolf’s strong ties with the south and an interesting singing voice, it does.

“Count me, count me, call my name
Don’t leave me out in shame
Cause these crimson tears falling
And my shirt is blood-stained
And the devil’s forever in my veins
And the devil’s forever in my veins.”

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14. Rick Ross, “The Devil is a Lie”

Ft. Jay-Z

Writers: Leshawn S. Rogers, Omar Walker, Shawn Carter (Jay-Z), W. Roberts (Rick Ross) & Willie McNeal | Producer: Omar Walker

Mastermind • Def Jam • 2014

“Big guns and big whips

Rich nigga talkin’ big shit

…Bow your head cause it’s time to pay tithes

Opposition want me dead or alive

Motherfucker, but the devil is a lie

The devil is a lie, bitch I’m the truth

The devil is a lie, bitch.”

It’s safe to say that “The Devil Is A Lie” is NO song of praise.  Rick Ross serves up a heaping dose of blasphemy, as aforementioned.  If that wasn’t enough for the Mastermind, Jay-Z exhibits unique religious beliefs, including referencing the one-and-only Lucifer.

“Is it true or it’s fiction

Is Hov atheist?

I never fuck with True Religion

Am I down with the devil cuz my roof came up missin’

Is that Lucifer juice in that two cup he sippin’…”

Regardless where either rapper stands spiritually, both acknowledge, “the devil is a lie.” It is up for debate whether that makes Rick Ross “the truth.”

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15. Iron Maiden, “The Number of the Beast”

Writers: Steve Harris | Producer: Martin Birch

The Number of the Beast • Sanctuary • 1982

“666, the number of the beast

Hell and fire was spawned to be released.”

No better way to close out this list with the iconic Iron Maiden classic, “The Number of the Beast.” What was your first encounter with this record? Personally, mine was Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4.  Nothing devilish about the video game – just some sick tricks!

“666, the number of the beast

Sacrifice is going on tonight…

666, the one for you and me.”

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