Devil Woman

Album: I'm Nearly Famous (1976)
Charted: 9 6
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was an uncharacteristic song for Cliff Richard, but it clicked at the time, as films about supernatural horror like The Exorcist and Carrie were popular. In the song, a man gets jinxed by a black cat with evil yellow eyes, and he goes to a fortune teller, who might be a witch, to break the spell. But it turns out she put the spell on him in the first place. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
  • This was Richard's biggest hit in the US. He was much more popular in his native England.
  • Cradle of Filth recorded this on their 2005 album Nymphetamine.

Comments: 10

  • Marty from AlbanyI'm with Tony on this one. Drink her potion then find yourself on the floor then she's gonna get you from behind. Seems pretty clear. Might even be that her name is "Lola"?
  • Melinda from AustraliaThis is a song that I’m ashamed to say us awful 1980’s teens made fun of. My friends and I thought it was pathetic.
    What ignorant music snobs we were. Loving The Cure and U2.
    I think we immediately had our objections against it because, to us, Cliff Richard was an old guy singer from the 50’s/1960’s.
    Further, this song had a disco feel to it. And disco was officially dead as far as we were concerned by the time Devil Woman came out. And our generation were determined to bury it.
    Even though we’d had hella fun times growin up with Disco music.
    No, this song is iconic to me now. The intro evokes so many memories. And, It’s an extraordinarily clever piece of music. With an eerie subject.
    And Cliff Richard pulls it off perfectly. Wired For Sound is another of his I love now from that era.
    How your tastes and appreciation changes. Thank God we mature. And grow a brain.
    A musical brain.
  • Don from Sevierville, TnContrary to what some people might think, this song is certainly not a devil worship song at all, but rather a warning against messing with the occult. I did get to see Cliff live once in November 1987 at a concert in Wuerzburg, Germany, and he said if we heard that he is a Christian, that is the truth.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 28th 1976, "Devil Woman" by Cliff Richard entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #87; and September 19th, 1976 it peaked at #6 (for 3 weeks) and spent 22 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #3 on the Australian Kent Music Report chart...
    Between 1959 and 1984 he had eighteen records on the Top 100 chart; with three reaching the Top 10, his other two Top 10 records were "We Don't Talk Anymore" (#7 in 1980) and "Dreaming" (#10 in 1980)...
    Mr. Richard, born Harry Rodger Webb, will celebrate his 74th birthday this coming October 14th, 2014.
  • Tony from Vero Beach, FlI've been hearing this song for decades and only now just realized that the implication is that the "Devil Woman" lured him there to get her jollies - in a way that most men would find a mite uncomfortable ("...giving you what you hadn't planned...", "...she's gonna get you from behind..."). Kinda warped little song...
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyU.S. country singer Marty Robbins released a record in 1962 titled "Devil Woman", it was a completely different song. It peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Country chart and at No. 16 on their Pop chart. In the UK is reached No. 5, one position higher than Richard's record...
  • Paul from Kennewick, WaThis song is truly haunting, reminding me of so many metaphors which are all chilling. But it wasn't until I got to college and met one of these that Cliff's message came through as clearly as it should. Luckily I wasn't hurt beyond repair,but do I ever wish I'd thought of this masterpiece before I'd go too close.
  • Scotty from Cheyenne, WyFunny how some songs you remember just for a musical phrase or the like. In this song there's that subtle organ all through, and twice it harmonizes with the main tune...send chills up my spine every time.
  • Mark from Dublin, IrelandOne of cliffs best songs he recorded over a span of 50 years in music,written by terry britten who also wrote "carrie" for cliff "whats love got to do with it" for tina turner and "just good friends" for michael jackson,cliff rates devil woman as his favourite song he recorded and i would have to agree with cliff that this is one of the best,forr more songs like this check out cliffs albums "im nearly famous","rock n roll juvenile" and "im no hero" 3 great albums from this period.
  • Andrew from Birmingham, United StatesThis song gives off such a Halloween impression. Its disco sound is quite ironic, considering that it's about a cat under a witch's spell. But a little irony is quite nice. Long live Cliff Richard!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Eric Clapton

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.