Devil 😈 | 5ive Songs

1. Demi Lovato, “Dancing with The Devil”

💿 Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting Over • 🏷 Island • 📅 2021

🎵 “Dancing with the Devil” leads the charge on 💿 Dancing with the Devil… The Art of Starting, the seventh studio album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop artist, 🎙 Demi Lovato. “Dancing with the Devil” is both powerful and personal. Lovato does what they do best – sings their face off.  Producer 🎛 Mitch Allan provides Demi with a fine canvas to paint upon.

It’s the narrative and the words that make “Dancing with the Devil” a triumph.  Lovato, always incredibly open and transparent, reflects on their near fatal overdose.  It begins on the first verse with them justifying “It’s just a little red wine, I’ll be fine.” Of course, as is the case with addiction and substance abuse, things progress, with Demi further justifying, “A little white line, I’ll be fine” and eventually “a little glass pipe.” The result nearly cost their life, exemplified on the centerpiece, the chorus (“I was dancing with the devil, out of control / Almost made it to Heaven / It was closer than you know”). On the bridge, they recap their mistakes and repents for them, before powering out on the chorus in all its glory. “Dancing with the Devil” is arguably best musical representation of what was an unfortunate reality for the pop standout.

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2. Chris Stapleton, “Devil Always Made Me Think Twice”

💿 Starting Over • 🏷 Mercury • 📅 2020

“And mama always set a good example / Daddy always gave me good advice / Jesus tried to steer me in the right direction…” Hmm, I wonder how the chorus concludes from 🎵 “Devil Always Made Me Think Twice.” Well, honestly, it’s as you’d expect: “But the devil always made me think twice / Devil always made me think.” Here, 🏆 Grammy-winning country singer/songwriter 🎙 Chris Stapleton covers himself.

How does Mr. Stapleton manage to cover himself? Well, “Devil Always Made Me Think Twice,” the second track from 2020’s 💿 Starting Over, was originally recorded by 🎙 Hailey Whitters.  Even so, Stapleton wrote the song alongside 🎼✍ Al Anderson. The resulting record is a high energy, traditional country record where Stapleton is assertive, infusing ample spirit into the performance.

“And when I’m standin’ at the gate
They’ll tally up my sins, they won’t let me in.”

3. The Neighbourhood, “Devil’s Advocate”

💿 Chip Chrome & The Mono-Tones • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2020

🎵 “Devil’s Advocate” keeps 💿 Chip Chrome & The Mono-Tones, the fourth studio by 🎙 The Neighbourhood, rolling without a hitch.  The ear candy is abundant with the electrifying groove, vintage sound effects, and generally, sort of a ‘washed out’ sound.  Front man 🎙 Jesse Rutherford sings with incredible ease, painting the palette with great effectiveness.

Even if Rutherford is breezy, there’s some plenty of energy and swagger.  A prime example: “I trade the whip out for a bike, uh / Designer for some Nikes.”  It’s an opposite means of execution compared to hip-hop, but there’s that same oomph, nonetheless.  A personal favorite line appears on the third and final verse:

“Married to my friends
They don’t always like me
I stay together for the kids, uh
I gotta do the right thing.”

4. Joyner Lucas, “Devil’s Work”

💿 ADHD • 🏷 Twenty Nine Music Group • 📅 2020

🎙 Joyner Lucas has a bone to pick with God on 🎵 “Devil’s Work,” which appears on his 2020 debut studio album, 💿 ADHD. “I’m staring at this Bible as I keep glancing / Dear Lord, I got questions and I need answers / Tryna understand your vision all I see is damage / Just a bunch of dead bodies in the street camping.” Lucas questions the decision making of God.  His first lyrics, on the intro, are “Father, forgive me,” which sets up the record for its fair share of controversy, and of course, anger.

Over a dramatic backdrop, Lucas raps his ass off, making some valid points as he’s perturbed by the deaths of good people.  There is some savagery in play, where he provides specific examples of who God should dispose of instead of who was ultimately taken:

“...They say you never wrong, but you done made a few mistakes
‘Cause you taking the wrong niggas, maybe you should trade
Trade us back all the real ones, remove the fakes
...Give us 2Pac back, and take that nigga Suge
...Give us Biggie, give us Pun, give us Triple X
Take that nigga Trump with you, that’s a bigger threat
There’s too much power for a coward with no intellect
That’s a bigot with a collar, there’s a disconnect...”

There are plenty more examples, as Lucas wants MLK, Malcolm X, and Emmett Till back, while he tells God to take the likes of Martin Shkreli, R. Kelly, and Dylann Roof.  It’s controversial, but at least at the end of the monstrous verse he makes it clear, “I know this ain’t your fault, it’s the devil’s work / Devil’s work.”

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5. Florence + The Machine, “Seven Devils”

💿 Ceremonials • 🏷 Universal Island Records • 📅 2011

“Holy water cannot help you now / Thousand armies couldn’t keep me out.” Woo-wee! And for good measure, add the affirmation, “See, I’ve come to burn your kingdom down.”  💿 Ceremonials has a legitimate case for the best 🎙 Florence + The Machine album. This 2011 LP is simply glorious.  Among the most glorious numbers is none other than the devilish 🎵 “Seven Devils.” What makes “Seven Devils” the cat’s meow, exactly? Honestly, it’s catches the ear from the start and engages to the finish.

“Seven Devils” commences with busy, intriguing production work.  The palette of sounds is picturesque, thanks to an array of instruments and synthetic effects.  I like the ‘wall of sound’ approach, which perfectly suits the big vocals and musical personality of 🎙 Florence Welch. Welch, indeed, shines like a beacon with her expressive, nuanced, and powerful instrument.  Her falsetto (for lack of a better term) stands out.  Written by Welch and 🎼✍ Paul Epworth (who also produces), Florence blends spirituality and the anger of a woman scorned. Worth noting, 🎙 The Game sampled “Seven Devils” on 🎵 “Ali Bomaye” from his 2012 album, 💿 Jesus Piece.