Devil Wouldn't Recognize You

Album: Hard Candy (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Madonna said that this, along with the title track, was her favorite song on Hard Candy. She explained to Q magazine in May 2008: "'Devil Wouldn't Recognize You,' I just love lyrically. I like the subject matter. The idea that you're so clever even the Devil wouldn't recognize you."
  • This is a reworked outtake from Madonna's previous album, Confessions On A Dance Floor. It was co-written by Justin Timberlake in the first chunk of time he had with Madonna.
  • Madonna: "'Devil' is a song about a person who everyone has in their life - a person who gets away with everything."

Comments: 3

  • Leo from Westminster 1, MdHard Candy, by contrast-was only a warm-up to the sad onslaught of MDNA-Both records have to do with Madonna's absolute sadness and heartbreak. Among these, Devil Wouldn't Recognize You is a sad and brilliant cabaret ballad number-the type of song Madge does so well in her life. Take a Bow, Maddy! We all feel betrayal, deception and shock in our lives-that's normal La Ciccone! Rock On, Detroit Sister!
  • Aaron from Mississauga, CanadaMadonna should have released this as a single. One of the best songs on Hard Candy & a nice contrast to the upbeat numbers.
  • Theresa from Murfreesboro, TnThis song is just haunting, I feel very close to this song - Good job Madge!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

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.

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.

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.