Devil On My Shoulder

Album: Billy Talent III (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the opening track from Canadian rock band Billy Talent's fourth studio album, Billy Talent III.
  • Vocalist Ben Kowalewicz (from Kerrang! May 30, 2009): "This song was borne out of one of Ian (D'Sa)'s riffs. It was huge! It's got a bluesy thing going on; like Jimmy Page. It's an avenue we've never really explored. When we went to approach the lyrics, we went back and forth on several themes, but because it was bluesy, all we thought about was voodoo and devils. The song is about a guy who's down on his luck and he's always projecting bad vibes. We have a couple of friends like that. They'd be like 'Why can't I get a break?' but all they do is complain and put out negative energy into the universe. I'm a firm believer that you get back what you put out."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

Strange Magnetics

Strange MagneticsSong Writing

How Bing Crosby, Les Paul, a US Army Signal Corps Officer, and the Nazis helped shape rock and Roll.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.