Music and the devil have had a long, fascinating relationship. Countless artists across rock, country, blues, and hip-hop have written songs that put the devil front and center, right there in the title.
Whether the devil represents temptation, rebellion, or pure storytelling fun, these tracks have become some of the most memorable in music history. Get ready to explore 19 unforgettable songs that dare to name the devil out loud.
1. Sympathy For The Devil – The Rolling Stones
Few songs in rock history carry as much weight as this 1968 masterpiece from The Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger sings from the devil’s point of view, walking listeners through centuries of human tragedy and war.
It was inspired by a Mikhail Bulgakov novel, which makes it one of the most literary rock songs ever written.
The samba-driven beat gives it an almost danceable, hypnotic feel that pulls you in immediately. It still sounds daring today.
2. The Devil Went Down to Georgia – The Charlie Daniels Band
Charlie Daniels turned a fiddle duel into pure legend with this 1979 country classic. The story follows a young boy named Johnny who bets his soul against a golden fiddle in a musical showdown with the devil himself.
It is packed with lightning-fast fiddle playing that still makes jaws drop.
The song hit number one on the country charts and crossed over into pop success too. It remains one of the most thrilling storytelling songs ever recorded.
3. Shout at the Devil – Motley Crue
Motley Crue came roaring out in 1983 with this glam metal anthem that made parents nervous and teenagers absolutely thrilled. The title track from their second album, it blends rebellious energy with thundering guitar riffs and a chorus designed to be screamed at the top of your lungs.
Nikki Sixx wrote the song partly as a statement about fighting against oppressive forces in life. It helped launch the band into superstardom and defined an era of hard rock attitude.
4. Runnin’ With The Devil – Van Halen
Van Halen opened their very first album in 1978 with this explosive track, and it instantly told the world they meant business. The song celebrates a carefree, rule-breaking lifestyle, using the devil as a symbol of living outside society’s expectations.
Eddie Van Halen’s guitar work throughout is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
David Lee Roth delivers the lyrics with his signature swagger and charisma. It set the tone for one of rock’s greatest debut albums ever made.
5. (You’re The) Devil In Disguise – Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley had a knack for turning a catchy phrase into a hit, and this 1963 single proved it perfectly. The song is about a woman who seems sweet and angelic on the outside but hides a deceptive, dangerous side underneath.
Elvis delivers the lyrics with playful energy and his trademark vocal charm.
It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of his most beloved pop singles. The melody is impossible to shake once you hear it.
6. Devil Inside – INXS
Michael Hutchence had a gift for making dark themes sound irresistibly cool, and this 1987 track from INXS is proof. “Devil Inside” explores the hidden, primal urges that exist within every person, wrapped up in a sleek, danceable new wave groove. The bass line alone is enough to get you moving.
It became one of the band’s biggest hits, reaching the top five in the United States. The song still sounds polished and powerful more than three decades later.
7. Friend Of The Devil – Grateful Dead
Written by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia, this gentle acoustic gem from 1970 tells the story of a wandering outlaw who has made a deal with the devil to escape his troubles. Despite the dark theme, the song has a warm, folky feel that makes it oddly comforting to listen to.
It appeared on the landmark album “American Beauty” and became one of the Dead’s most beloved songs. Even casual listeners tend to know this one by heart.
8. Devil Woman – Cliff Richard
British pop star Cliff Richard surprised a lot of people with this spooky, atmospheric hit from 1976. The song tells the cautionary tale of a man drawn to a mysterious woman who reads crystal balls and casts spells.
It has a creepy, minor-key melody that gives it a genuinely eerie edge.
“Devil Woman” became his first top-ten hit in the United States, introducing him to a whole new audience. It stands out as one of the most unusual songs in his long career.
9. Me and the Devil Blues – Robert Johnson
Recorded in 1937, this haunting blues track by Robert Johnson is one of the most chilling recordings in American music history. Johnson sings about walking side by side with the devil himself, heading somewhere dark and inevitable.
His raw, slide guitar playing sounds like it came straight from another world.
The legend that Johnson sold his soul at a crossroads for his talent makes this song feel even more unsettling. It influenced generations of blues and rock musicians who followed.
10. Race with the Devil – Gene Vincent
Gene Vincent was one of the wildest voices in early rock and roll, and this 1956 track showed exactly why. “Race with the Devil” is a frantic, high-energy rockabilly song about speeding down the road with the devil himself in the race. The guitar work is aggressive and raw in the best possible way.
It came out the same year as “Be-Bop-A-Lula” and showed Vincent’s range as an artist. The song still sounds urgent and alive almost 70 years later.
11. The Devil Made Me Do It the First Time – Billy Joe Shaver
Billy Joe Shaver was one of country music’s greatest outlaw storytellers, and this track captures his sharp wit perfectly. The song uses the classic “devil made me do it” excuse as a tongue-in-cheek way to talk about giving in to temptation and bad habits.
Shaver delivers it with a grin you can practically hear in his voice.
His songwriting influenced artists like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson deeply. This track is a great example of why he earned legendary status in outlaw country circles.
12. Devil With A Blue Dress On – Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels
Originally recorded by Shorty Long in 1964, this song became a massive hit when Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels released their souped-up, medley version in 1966. The track is an absolute burst of energy, combining raw soul, rock and roll, and a driving brass section that refuses to slow down.
Ryder’s raspy, powerful voice takes the song to another level entirely. It peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a staple of classic rock radio playlists worldwide.
13. The Devil in I – Slipknot
Slipknot came back stronger than ever with this crushing 2014 track from their album “.5: The Gray Chapter.” Written during an incredibly painful period after the death of bassist Paul Gray, the song explores inner demons and self-destruction with brutal honesty. The breakdown section hits like a wall of sound.
Guitarist Mick Thomson’s riff work throughout is some of the heaviest the band has ever recorded. For fans, this song marked a powerful and emotional new chapter in Slipknot’s already intense career.
14. Dance With the Devil – Immortal Technique
Few hip-hop songs are as disturbing or as unforgettable as this 2001 track by underground rapper Immortal Technique. The song tells a graphic, fictional story about a young man who descends into crime and violence in pursuit of street credibility, with the devil serving as a metaphor for moral corruption.
It is not an easy listen, but that is entirely the point. The storytelling is cinematic and brutally effective, making it one of the most talked-about tracks in underground rap history.
15. Devil’s Dance – Metallica
Metallica slipped back into their heavier roots with this dark, groovy track from their 1997 album “ReLoad.” “Devil’s Dance” has a slow, menacing swagger to it that feels like the devil himself is taking his time, completely in control of the situation. James Hetfield’s vocal delivery is especially sinister here.
The song is built around a hypnotic guitar riff that locks in and refuses to let go. It may not be their most famous song, but dedicated fans consider it one of the band’s most underrated recordings.
16. Lil’ Devil – The Cult
The Cult hit a creative sweet spot with this hard rock gem from their 1987 album “Electric.” Produced by Rick Rubin, “Lil’ Devil” has a crunchy, stripped-down guitar sound that gives it a timeless rock feel. Ian Astbury sings about a dangerously attractive woman with his signature theatrical intensity.
Rick Rubin’s production stripped away the band’s goth-rock past and pushed them straight into mainstream hard rock territory. The result was one of their biggest chart hits and a fan favorite that still gets played at their concerts.
17. Devil in a New Dress – Kanye West
Kanye West crafted something genuinely beautiful with this soulful track from his 2010 album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” Sampling a Smokey Robinson record, the song layers lush production over lyrics about a complicated, glamorous relationship. Rick Ross delivers a guest verse that many fans consider the highlight of the entire album.
The title uses the devil as a metaphor for a woman who is breathtaking but ultimately dangerous. It showcases Kanye at his most musically ambitious and emotionally vulnerable, which is saying something.
18. Devil Don’t Know – Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen brings small-town heartbreak and Southern storytelling together beautifully in this track from his 2021 double album “Dangerous.” The song reflects on personal mistakes and wonders whether the devil or God knows the state of his troubled heart. It is quieter and more reflective than many of his bigger hits.
Wallen’s warm, gritty voice suits the emotional weight of the lyrics perfectly. For fans who love his more vulnerable side, this track is a standout moment on an already packed album.
19. Christmas With the Devil – Spinal Tap
Only Spinal Tap could make Christmas feel this delightfully absurd. Released in 1984, this mock heavy metal holiday track imagines what a Christmas celebration hosted by the devil might actually look like, complete with crunching guitars and ridiculous, over-the-top lyrics.
It is satire at its most gleefully silly.
Spinal Tap, the fictional band from the classic mockumentary film, always had a sharp comedic instinct beneath the parody. This song has become a cult favorite every holiday season for fans who like their Christmas music with a side of chaos.