The devil made me listen: #1 "Sympathy for the Devil" Rolling Stones (1969)

Tweet

This list topper should come as no surprise. All rock fans are familiar with this intro: “Please allow me to introduce myself I’m a man of wealth and taste I’ve been around for long, long years Stole many a man’s soul and faith” “Sympathy for the Devil” was uncharted in the US and on the “Beggar’s Banquet” album. Principle songwriter is Mick Jagger whose influence came from the French poet Baudelaire and Russian novel “The Monster and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgarov. The song is related in the first person perspective of the devil who recounts the world’s atrocities. The song upset Christians for obvious reasons but could be interpreted the devil is man. Keith Richards’ contribution was suggesting the song’s Brazilian samba sound rhythm. He handles bass on the recording while Bill Wyman is on maracas. Band member girlfriends Marianne Faithful and Anita Pallenberg sing backup. The song has been covered by Guns ‘N Roses, Motorhead, Ozzy Osborne and Blood Sweat and Tears. And yes “Sympathy for the Devil” is an overplayed classic rock radio song.