100 Best Songs About the Devil
The Devil in Pop Music
The devil and its various avatars are an exceedingly popular in music. Conceived as the personification of evil in religious traditions and cultures, the devil is considered by many a hostile and destructive dark force often portrayed literally or metaphorically.
Concepts and ideas associated with the devil are intertwined differently in mythology, psychiatry, theology, literature, and art. It’s the belief of the unknown that manifests fear in the minds of people.
The list below showcases a collection of rock songs, pop songs, country songs, R&B songs, folk songs, hip hop songs, alternative songs, indie songs, disco songs, reggae songs, jazz songs, blues songs, new wave songs, synthpop songs, electropop songs, EDM songs, and dance songs about the devil.
Top 10 Songs With "Devil" in the Title
- “Dancing with the Devil”—Demi Lovato
- “Sympathy for the Devil”—The Rolling Stones
- “Pride Is the Devil”—J. Cole featuring Lil Baby
- “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise”—Elvis Presley
- “Met Him Last Night”—Demi Lovato featuring Ariana Grande
- “Deal with the Devil”—Pop Evil
- “Runnin’ With the Devil”—Van Halen
- “Devil Woman”—Cliff Richard
- “Devil on My Shoulder”—Billy Talent
- “Between the Devil and Me”—Alan Jackson
The Devil in Music Videos
In certain music videos that showcase the devil or devilish ways, dark atmospheric surroundings of blue, black, grey, and red are exceedingly popular. Although depictions of the devil in music videos differ drastically in accordance with genre, certain rituals stay true. Certain heavy metal videos depict blood, gore, nudity, and satanic rituals to portray the presence of Lucifer in this world.
In songs from different genres the devil represents an evil force that is powerful and destructive. Although the term is used in its literal sense to depict different forms of evil, it is also used figuratively in songwriting, to explain a deeper meaning. Different forms of death and destruction are attributed to the forces of evil in numerous songs.
#11–20
11. “Devil’s Got a New Disguise”—Aerosmith
12. “Rap Devil”—Machine Gun Kelly
13. “Devil’s Work”—Joyner Lucas
14. “The Devil in I”—Slipknot
15. “Devil Pray”—Madonna
16. “Better the Devil You Know”—Kylie Minogue
17. “Devils Haircut”—Beck
18. “The Devil Is a Lie”—Rick Ross featuring Jay-Z
Recommended
19. “Run Devil Run”—Girls’ Generation
20. “Devil Inside”—INXS
The Devil as Harbinger of Death
In a great number of songs, Satan is showcased as the harbinger of death and destruction. Although the school of thought associated with the devil varies in accordance with believers and scientific thinkers, the depictions of the devil are creatively brought to life by artists, musicians, and writers.
Different forms of deception, disguise, and trickery people adopt in their scheme of things to profit and gain in the material world is often associated as a sign of being enslaved by Satan.
While a number of songs explore different aspects of the devil in a serious and philosophical manner, certain tunes showcase the representation of evil through mankind with the devil being brought to life with manifestation of thoughts. Whatever we choose to believe, one thing’s for sure, the devil is an unknown entity you cannot ignore.
#21–30
21. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”—Charlie Daniels Band
22. “Devil in a New Dress”—Kanye West featuring Rick Ross
23. “Devil’s Pie”—D’Angelo
24. “The Devil’s Beat”—Sandi Thom
25. “Dust Devil”—Madness
26. “Take Me Down”—The Pretty Reckless
27. “Devil Inside”—Utada
28. “My Man and the Devil on His Shoulder”—Hadise
29. “You Me and the Devil Makes 3”—Marilyn Manson
30. “Devil’s Party”—INXS
The Devil as Comic Foil
Songwriters occasionally use the devil in an amusing or sarcastic manner. Devaluing Satan through comedy is a common way to diminish his power and it's a way to explore themes of temptation, power, and the human condition. In these songs, the devil is portrayed as a complex, multifaceted character rather than just purely evil.
The sinful nature of human beings is attributed to the devil in numerous songs, in which people become slaves to sinful acts and succumb to evil ways for the lure of money. Dark personality traits are showcased with evil intent that stems from thoughts and transitions into destructive deeds. The manifestation of negativity is metaphorically portrayed as the dwelling place for the devil.
#31–40
31. “Little Devil”—Neil Sadaka
32. “Devils & Dust”—Bruce Springsteen
33. “Chase the Devil”—Max Romeo and the Upsetters
34. “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)”—Joe Diffie
35. “Devil Eyes”—Penny McLean
36. “Devil’s Broom”—Joseph Arthur
37. “Devil Gate Drive”—Suzi Quatro
38. “Devil Woman”—Marty Robbins
39. “Smile Pretty for the Devil”—Children of Bodom
40. “I’m Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)”—Rodney Atkins
The Devil as Metaphor
Negative emotions such as anger, jealousy, frustration, loneliness, emptiness, sadness, guilt, and fear are often showcased metaphorically as Satan’s power over the human spirit. A great number of singers and songwriters represent different forms of sin and falsehood as work of the devil. Certain bands and artists showcase Satan as a revered entity that is often misunderstood.
The diabolical minds of individuals that take pleasure in lies and deceit are often represented by the dark forces of evil in songs. The devilish charm of individuals with a seductive nature are theatrically depicted in lyrics of certain songs. Certain songs tell the story of how certain people conspire to do something harmful, illegal, or immoral.
#41–50
41. “Devil’s Deal”—The Zutons
42. “The Number of the Beast”—Iron Maiden
43. “Run Devil Run”—Paul McCartney
44. “A Night with the Jersey Devil”—Bruce Springsteen
45. “Devils and Angels”—Toby Lightman
46. “Gimme”—Alice Cooper
47. “Better the Devil You Know”—Sonia
48. “Devil is a Loser”—Lordi
49. “Devil’s Radio”—George Harrison
50. “Friend of the Devil”—The Grateful Dead
A Devil By Any Other Name
The devil is known by various names all over the world. Some of the popular titles bestowed upon the evil one are:
- Satan
- Mephistopheles
- The Father of Lies
- Iblis
- Beelzebub
- Ash-Shaytan
- El Diablo
- Lucifer
- Lord of the Underworld
- Angra Mainyu
- Dark Lord
- Der Leibhaftige
- Diabolus
- Old Scratch
- The Prince of Darkness
#51–60
51. “Devil in the Bottle”—T.G. Sheppard
52. “The Devil Has All the Best Tunes”—Prefab Sprout
53. “Who Put the Devil in You”—You Am I
54. “Devil’s Ball”—Double
55. “Race with the Devil”—Girlschool
56. “Devil Came to Me”—Dover
57. “Devil’s Spoke”—Laura Marling
58. “Tribute”—Tenacious D
59. “Shout At the Devil”—Motley Crue
60. “Devil with a Blue Dress On”—Shorty Long
The Seven Deadly Sins
Many songs bring to life the destructive power that people use for selfish gain and sadistic pleasure. Although different demons are depicted being associated with the devil in art, literature, and music, the classification of demons in Christian teachings is based on the Seven Deadly Sins with each demon representing the temptation of the type of sin.
- Lucifer (Pride)
- Mammon (Greed)
- Asmodeus (Lust)
- Leviathan (Envy)
- Beelzebub (Gluttony)
- Satan (Wrath)
- Belphegor (Sloth)
#61–80
61. “Pay the Devil (Ooo, Baby, Ooo)”—The Knack
62. “The Devil’s in the Temple”—Bon Jovi
63. “Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music”—Larry Norman
64. “I Fell in Love with the Devil”—Avril Lavigne
65. “Take the Devil Out of Me”—George Jones
66. “Devil in a Midnight Mass”—Billy Talent
67. “Devil’s Advocate”—The Neighborhood
68. “Devil’s Child”—Judas Priest
69. “Race with the Devil on a Spanish Highway”—Al Di Meola
70. “Talkin’ Devil”—Bob Dylan
71. “Devil’s Face”—Nova Twins
72. “Devil You Know”—DD Smash
73. “Devil’s Gun”—C.J. & Company
74. “The Devil”—Banks
75. “El Diablo”—Elena Tsagrinou
76. “Devil or Angel”—The Clovers