The Devil Named Music

Album: Traveller (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Chris Stapleton told Billboard magazine the story behind this track. "I wrote the opening of the song as we drove all night to Billings, Montana," he explained. "I was in a band called the SteelDrivers, and we were driving from Wyoming."

    "The song is pretty autobiographical," Stapleton added. "I was on the road playing bluegrass, and we were out there hitting it hard as hard as we could, trying to matter. A lot of the song is about that."
  • Stapleton elaborated on the story behind the song during an interview with American Songwriter magazine. "Most of the song is all real stuff," he explained. "The band had played some horse farm gig in Wyoming, then rented a mini van and driven God knows how many hours to Billings, Montana, because that was the closest airport."

    "We checked into an airport hotel to get an hour of sleep in our shared rooms. Then we got up, went to the airport and checked in for a 5:30 a.m. flight, which was going to Salt Lake City. I don't remember changing planes in Denver, because I was so whipped and punch drunk, but apparently we did. And then we got to Salt Lake City, which is 10,000 feet up in the air, and I weighed 300 pounds at the time, so it felt like torture. Then we played a gig."

    "That's what that song is about. I missed my kid and I missed my wife, and I was getting an idea of what it was like to be a touring musician."

Comments: 1

  • Net from AlabamaYou are an awesome singer and artist as well as your band mates/family. I understand you missing your loved ones. Your sacrifices paid off for you and your family. AMEN. Now you can relax and enjoy your family. Unless more is needed. God bless.
see more comments

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.