Kris Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson – Silver Tongued Devil and I

Please scroll down for the music video. It is at the end of the article! 👇👇

About The Song

In the pantheon of country music legends, few names resonate with the gravitas and authenticity of Kris Kristofferson. A songwriter’s songwriter, Kristofferson’s pen has crafted some of the genre’s most enduring and heartfelt anthems, weaving tales of love, loss, redemption, and the human condition with a poetic eloquence that has earned him a place among the greats. Among his many masterpieces, “Silver Tongued Devil and I” stands as a timeless classic, a poignant exploration of duality, self-awareness, and the ever-present struggle between temptation and virtue.

Released in 1971 as the title track of Kristofferson’s second studio album, “Silver Tongued Devil and I” is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that delves into the depths of the human psyche. The song opens with a narrator seated in a dimly lit bar, nursing a drink and watching the world go by. As he observes a beautiful woman, he finds himself paralyzed by self-doubt and insecurity, his inner voice, personified as the “Silver Tongued Devil”, whispering words of discouragement and self-sabotage.

The “Silver Tongued Devil” is a master manipulator, playing on the narrator’s fears and insecurities, taunting him with reminders of his perceived inadequacies. It’s the embodiment of our inner critic, the voice that holds us back from pursuing our dreams and desires. Kristofferson paints a vivid picture of this internal struggle, capturing the raw emotions of self-doubt and the yearning for connection.

Despite the “Silver Tongued Devil’s” relentless presence, the narrator refuses to be completely consumed by its negativity. He acknowledges the devil’s influence, recognizing its power to lead him astray, but he also asserts his own strength and determination. The chorus of the song serves as a powerful declaration of self-awareness:

  • “He’s everything I’m not, and everything I am Some say we’re just the same”

This line encapsulates the central theme of the song – the duality within us all. We all have the capacity for both good and evil, light and darkness. The “Silver Tongued Devil” represents the darker side of our nature, the temptations and vices that lure us away from our true selves. But we also possess the strength to overcome these temptations, to choose the path of righteousness and compassion.

“Silver Tongued Devil and I” is more than just a personal confession; it’s a universal anthem that speaks to the human condition. We all face our own internal struggles, our own “Silver Tongued Devils” that whisper in our ears and try to lead us astray. But it’s up to us to decide which voice we listen to, whether we succumb to our fears or embrace our strength.

Kristofferson’s masterful songwriting and his deeply personal delivery elevate “Silver Tongued Devil and I” to the realm of timeless classics. It’s a song that resonates with listeners of all ages and backgrounds, offering solace, understanding, and a reminder of the power we have within ourselves to overcome our inner demons and choose the path of light.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxz9MXyZ8gc

Lyric

I took myself down to the Tally-Ho Tavern to buy me a bottle of beerI sat me down by a tender young maiden whose eyes were as dark as her hairAnd as I was searchin’ from bottle to bottle for somethin’ unfoolish to sayThat silver tongued devil just slipped from the shadows and smilingly stole her awayI said hey little girl don’t you know he’s the devil he’s everything that I ain’tHidin’ intentions of evil under the smile of a saintAll he’s good for is gettin’ in trouble and shifting his share of the blameAnd some people swear he’s my double and some even say we’re the sameBut the silver tongued devil’s got nothing to lose I’ll only live till I dieWe take our own chances and pay our own dues the silver tongued devil and ILike all the fair maidens who’ve laid down beside himShe knew in her heart that he’d liedBut nothing that I could have said could’ve saved herNo matter how hard that she triedCause she’ll offer her soul to the darkness and dangerOf something that she’s never knownAnd open her arms at the smile of a stranger who’ll love her and leave her aloneAnd you know he’s the devil…

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