Sympathy for the Devil Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man's soul and faith

And I was around when Jesus Christ
Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate

[Chorus]
Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you is the nature of my game

[Verse 2]
I stuck around St. Petersburg
When I saw it was a time for a change
I killed the Czar and his ministers
Anastasia screamed in vain
I rode a tank, held a general's rank
When the Blitzkrieg raged and the bodies stank

[Chorus]
Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name, oh yeah
But what's puzzling you is the nature of my game, haha
[Verse 3]
I watched with glee as your kings and queens
Fought for ten decades for the Gods they made
I shouted out, "Who killed the Kennedys?"
When after all, it was you and me

So let me, please, introduce myself
I'm the man of the wealth and taste (Oh yeah)
And I laid traps for troubadours
Who get killed before they reach Bombay

[Chorus]
Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name, oh yeah
But what's puzzling you is the nature of my game, yeah

[Guitar Solo 1]

[Chorus]
Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name, oh yeah
But what's puzzling you is the nature of my game, oh yeah

[Verse 4]
Just as every cop's a criminal
And all the sinners' saints
As heads is tails, just call me Lucifer
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint
So if you meet me, have some courtesy
Have some sympathy and some taste
Use all your well-learned politics
Or I'll lay your soul to waste, oh

[Chorus]
Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name, oh yeah
But what's puzzling you is the nature of my game, oh yeah

[Guitar Solo 2]
Woo, who
Oh yeah, get on down
Oh yeah
Oh yeah!
Tell me, baby, what's my name, oh
Tell me, honey, guess my name
Tell me, baby, what's my name
I tell you one time, you're to blame
Ooo, who
Ooo, who
Ooo, who
Ooo, who, who
Ooo, who, who
Ooo, who, who
Ooo, who, who
Oh, yeah
What's my name
Tell me, baby, what's my name
Tell me, sweetie, what's my name
Ooo, who, who
Oh, yeah

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About

Genius Annotation

This is a cover of the hit song “Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stones. This song was featured in the ending credits of the 1994 drama horror film adaptation of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, as well as the closing track of Guns N' Roses‘ “Greatest Hits” album in 2004.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Guns N' Roses say about "Sympathy for the Devil"?
Genius Answer

Rhythm guitarist Gilby Clarke, who does not appear on the recording, noted that the recording foreshadowed his departure from the band, stating:

“They did that while I was on the road touring for my solo record. I knew that that was the ending because nobody told me about it. Officially I was in the band at that time, and they did that song without me. That was one of the last straws for me, because nobody had said anything to me, and they recorded a song by one of my favorite bands. It was pretty clear I’m a big Rolling Stones fan, and they recorded the song without me. So I knew that was it.”

Credits
Keyboards
Vocals
Release Date
October 1, 1994
Sympathy for the Devil Is A Cover Of
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