NO WORDS… The Rolling Stones | Sympathy for the devil | First Reaction

[@greg6L6GC]

You analyzed it perfectly. I’m 70 and grew up with this era music. It was great. Bands were unique. No one sounded the same. There was a huge variety of music. Enjoy.

[@bluesrock1]

Your initial synopsis of this piece is spot on. It took most people years to understand the meaning of this song. Well done.

[@kaychristensen4394]

@@bluesrock1 Omg, thank you. 😎

[@HisDudeness316]

"Tell you one time, you're (mankind) to blame." This masterpiece in a nutshell.

[@brandonlevy8680]

You nailed the meaning of this song. One of the best songs ever performed in my opinion. Absolutely wonderful.

[@stuBdoc]

An absolute stroke of genius to pair these very deep and meaningful lyrics with such phenomenal, hypnotizing, instrumentation. I agree, one of the masterpieces of the 20th Century.

[@kaychristensen4394]

Masterpiece absolutely. 😎

[@BruceLund-is1sy]

@@brandonlevy8680 100% brother

[@kevin982]

Without doubt my favourite Stones song ever, and they have many many great songs.

[@notablindliberal896]

Same

[@markludington887]

amen

[@kaychristensen4394]

The only other Stones song that comes close is Gimme Shelter, imo the best antiwar song ever.

[@fuchsiaswing8545]

Many people fixate on this song’s lyrical content and decode its meaning, but we must also recognize the converging rock and roll and samba music. This was a very innovative, against the mainstream type of amalgamation, and nothing sounded like it in 1968. Thus, it has a primal, almost ritualistic tone. The Stones do not get enough credit for being musically daring and experimental.

[@petergaskin1811]

There was a documentary video of the day when this track was recorded. The difference between this piece at the start in the morning to the finished article is amazing

[@Trucker231610]

What a great interpretation of this song. And of course a great reaction. It's a song that definitely makes you reflect on how society operates.

[@flight505]

Good song to play today. It gets better each time. I'm 75. Good luck everyone,

[@tonywestwood7019]

And to you pal.

[@Ricimer671]

Good luck to you sir.

[@kaychristensen4394]

😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@kaychristensen4394]

@@tonywestwood7019 Back atcha 😎

[@markdecker6190]

Have always felt that Sympathy was Keith and Mick's most genius song writing effort, and you're one of only a handful of reactors so far who truly get the meaning of it. You're very perceptive!

[@rk41gator]

Hypnotic. Weaving a spell. Perfect.......we need to think before we choose.

[@MGib-xx4nb]

This and Paint It, Black. 2 of the best written songs. Just powerful.

[@Gordy63]

One of the best written, performed and produced rock songs in the history of rock and roll, by the greatest band in rock and roll history 🤘

[@sweisbrod6109]

Next Rolling Stones song for you is Gimme Shelter. It's another Vietnam era anthem.

[@petergaskin1811]

Street-fighting Man.

[@kaychristensen4394]

YES YES YES

[@georgesoroka621]

Excellent reaction and interpretation. I'm 69 and have been diggin this song for years. Never really stopped to think about it's meaning. Thank you for the clarity. When I was younger I was just jammin to the music without really thinking about it. Nice job.

[@kaychristensen4394]

We are peers. I'm 68. Keep on trucking, dude. 😎

[@shemanic1]

Such is the strong message on this percussive tune that I play the vinyl at nearly every gig.

[@Talldude88]

The Rolling Stones, Sympathy for the Devil is one of their songs that will live forever. 👹

[@sst3d]

Perfect encapsulation of the 20th century up to then….things just got worse since.. A+ reaction…so glad you reacted to this

[@kaychristensen4394]

Thanks so much 😎

[@ejtringham]

I've not seen anyone in the comments crediting Nicky Hopkins - the pianist. I reckon he's the thing that makes this so charged and hypnotic, and which makes it better than any of their live versions, where they shift most of it to guitar.

[@macjbe]

👍You nailed it ,unusual for most first time listeners. This song never stops being an experience.

[@MarkRDenison-i2o]

Love your reactions! You are so honest, it’s refreshing to an old music veteran like myself. You should listen to Gimme Shelter by the Stones! Arguably one of the greatest rock tunes of all time!

[@stormy7722]

Im old and can tell you, this is a song with some of the most poingient riveting lyrics, of all time, any genre. It's Shakespearean in composition, and feeling. The human condition in rock.

[@davidspinney2023]

This song reminds me of why the Stones have always been my favorite band. They always play this in their shows sometimes it sounds better than others. One of the shows I saw they had the bongo drums just like that and when Richards's guitar solo came on later in the song that squealing sound would go right through you it was unbelievable. The song is verry spooky.

[@rk41gator]

Such an interesting concept and so well executed. Another epic tune from the Stones! Again, you nailed it so eloquently.

[@z-man2343]

Sarah, you are a breath of fresh air. Please never stop being you.

[@mrmxyzptlk-imp]

This is the opening track of their 1968 album Beggar's Banquet which is their most political album ( Street Fighting Man and Salt Of The Earth are on this album). All the events mentioned are political

[@britishbluecatsonwheels]

Loved this song all my life ( I was 3 when it was released!) & just love the bass line. Didn’t understand all the historical (accurate!) references until I was a tad older & had studied history at school mind you. Still as relevant now as back in ‘68

[@theubiquejim]

not just free will but the ability to apply critical thinking to everything we do and believe

[@eppopsinned]

Hi. Oh my. Always you are so beautiful.😍😍😍 Yes this is one of the best songs about the Rolling Stone's. I like it so much.👍👍👍

[@marke8323]

Saw them play this song in '94, with Jagger rising up from under the stage!

[@RJ420NL]

This is a great song. One of my fav from the Stones.

[@robertwiesler381]

This is one of the best songs ever written by the best band on this planet The best guitar solo of all time by Mr. Keith Richards, the best guitar player of all time

[@Unclesmokey314]

who also laid down that funky ass bass line if I remember correctly. Mr. Wyman was m.i.a. that day?

[@Mister_Samsonite]

For thousands of years the devil has been the human race's fall guy for all the dreadful things we do to each other.

[@RustyOz7]

To be sure, we humans do not easily or willingly take accountability for the poor choices we make and the terrible things we can say & do ... but equally, a being whose essence is liar, slanderer & murderer gets no sympathy from me.

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

The Devil doesn't work alone.😊

[@blackberrydreamsz]

@@TrianglesAndCircles Yes, he is abetted by his sympathizers.

[@Micknkeithable]

@@blackberrydreamsz Trumpites

[@LBinsocal]

Great analogy Sarah. Man has always been susceptible and open to evil. If you think we are born good and kind, put two toddlers in a playpen with one toy

[@BennyVelasco]

@@LBinsocal even better analogy.

[@AlicePeabody]

Stunning, this was true 50, 60 years ago AND in 2024

[@kaychristensen4394]

The first lesson of history is History repeats itself. If it's not one thing after another, it's the same thing over and over.

[@LokiDWolf]

Oh I love this song so much! One of my favorites by the Stones. I always loved the story and the mockery of society via the devil. Just fun stuff!

[@markhomer2524]

Life imitates art and music.the sad truth of my beloved country today.God save us.

[@HellenKillerProject]

Have to love a guitar player who appreciates the silence between his notes. The Rolling Stones have so many songs in so many genres it is hard to pick a "best"

[@bzick405]

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. definitely my favorite stone song. Evil exists within us all. it's represented in the choices we make. the things we allow. I'll tell you one time. you're to blame.

[@simonbeck7446]

Great analysis of one of my favourite songs. Thanks!

[@Fox1gal]

I had just read The Faust and this song came out this song gave that book connection! I love this song good questions in it! How you answer is always individual answer!

[@billymac23454]

Brilliant lyrics, brilliantly performed, the whole track from bongo intro to the repetitive "woo woo" is a masterpiece of the rock genre. A superb synopsis👍👌

[@robrobert9541]

The duality of man. We all have both evil and good within us.

[@joeracer81]

When the Rolling Stones release this song back in 1968, I remember it made the lead singer Mick Jagger the devil of rock and roll for until about the mid-1980s. But what Mick Jagger was really trying to say is the only way we give the devil power is by doing bad things to other people, and undermine the laws of nature. The devil is about hatred and evil. Mick Jagger was using historical things up to when he wrote the song to show us how he uses mankind to gain strength to try to win the war between Good and Evil. God is about unconditional love. The more we love each other and help each other out and care about each other the less power the devil has.

[@DavidThomas-gm7gu]

You're the best Sarah ,great summary.

[@sntxrrr]

The devil is like professor Dumbledore. You got to hand it to them, they got style.

[@BlackGuardXIII]

Sarah, your heart shows through your reactions. Gimme Shelter is another Stones tune that hits hard.

[@bzick405]

It's simplistic genius historical symbolism with the duality of Good and Evil with Mick Jagger's voice and Keith Richards guitar

[@SabatinoCorrado]

Great outcome the other night America has spoken

[@MAC-gx3ji]

No denying that they are the best rock and roll band ever Sure , there are other great ones But , they just have SO many great songs

[@mikewagner2153]

Lyrics were inspired by Bulgakov's novel "Master and Margarita" in which the devil and his retinue including a giant cat visit NEP era Moscow. Bulgakov wrote an earlier short story in which he had Chichikov -- Gogol's character from the novel "Dead Souls" -- visit NEP era Moscow. Highly recommended reading, the novel.

[@alasdairmacaulay7819]

This song is a response to the first publication in the West of a Russian novel called, "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov. The book had been banned because it criticised Stalin's regime. In it the Devil visits Moscow and causes chaos and destruction. As the book is also a paraphrase of Goethe's Faust, the answer to Faust's question to the demon he has raised, is. "I am a part of that power that seeks to destroy, but always causes the good to exist.

[@Roborebonzo]

Very insightful reaction!

[@aftonair]

Great analysis and reaction. Thanks.

[@joeltiffany753]

Wonderful insight on it

[@maggedo-x1s]

Guns 'N' Roses🤘🥀 did "Sympathy for the Devil" in "Interview with the Vampire", but only in theaters, as Stone's OG replaced it, & so G'N'R's cover's in "Blade", & w: vid' of.

[@mikeconway9849]

Great reaction!

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

Sarah please check out the live version of this with John and Yoko in the audience.

[@johnlobiondo-es6bo]

Very great analysis your are very intelligent, bingo

[@brianyoung3]

Enjoyed your comments.

[@JuanMendoza-sz8iy]

Keith's dirty licks make it soooo powerful.

[@fatjabba74]

imagine a band trying to release a song like this today, let alone write it.

[@andrewbrennan7291]

Incredibly intense ... then Keith joins in with that wailing guitar.

[@josefschiltz2192]

Brilliant analysis! I've known this song for most of my life, being brought up in the sixties. I hope you take a listen to Paint It Black. My favourite of the Rolling Stones is the somewhat soulful Ruby Tuesday.

[@dr.strangelove7788]

That bass! So great

[@randyallaben9900]

Extremely insightful comments.

[@kaychristensen4394]

One of the best songs ever with the most clever lyrics plus a history lesson as well. Enjoy!😎

[@fuchsiaswing8545]

Additionally, it is a very innovative amalgamation of rock and roll and samba. Nothing sounded like “Sympathy for the Devil” in 1968.

[@Krzyszczynski]

Just a minor quibble: by the time of the Russian revolution, their capital city was known as Petrograd (St Petersburg being considered too German-sounding). Still an awesome track, though.

[@kaychristensen4394]

@Krzyszczynski I was a history major and had forgotten this. Or was having a senior moment. Or both. 😎

[@Krzyszczynski]

@@kaychristensen4394 And I read once that Jag likes to consider himself a trivia buff! But that would have been long after he wrote this lyric.

[@billrehberg9271]

Truly said.

[@briangrigsby1842]

I am 74 years old.

[@brentravnsborg2782]

Best rock band ever.

[@richardrocha1096]

It like lucifer is leaning over shoulder giving you the chills and breathing on your neck

[@csu111]

If you haven’t seen it already check out the movie Fallen (this song was the end theme of the movie).

[@PeterOConnell-pq6io]

"When after all, it was you and Me"

[@leon-o4m7k]

good song 👍 the guitar rift is quality 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👌

[@henash5693]

I honestly really analyzed this song for the first time and . . . dang.

[@parose1457]

The inspired chaotic crunchy guitar leads are genius, evoking a demonic possession.

[@rockhouse11picki66]

Read "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov. The Stones had been inspired by Bulgakov's work.

[@dalebiscaro5345]

The nature of his game is Compulsion.

[@jamesrowe3606]

That guitar solo is pure evil. Forget Robert Johnson,. If anyone was at that crossroads, it was probably Keith Richards. He seems to be destined to live forever, whatever he does to his body.

[@GrumpyOldGuyPlaysGames]

"And the humans -- I ask you, why? Why do they blame me for all their failings? They use my name as if I spend my entire day, sitting on their shoulder, forcing them to commit acts they would otherwise find repulsive. _"The Devil Made Me Do It"_ I tell you, I've never made a single one of them do anything. Never. They live their own lives, I do not live it for them." - Lucifer Morningstar, from "Season of Mists" by author Neil Gaiman.

[@udoroske535]

ich stehe zwar schon immer mehr auf Beatles, aber dieser Song ist der Hammer

[@TheCaptain64]

Great song by the Stones. Try listening to, Monsters by James Blunt, it will leave you in bits, when you read up about what its about as well .

[@sweisbrod6109]

THE DEVIL NEVER WORKS ALONE.

[@Bristolcentaurus]

when Mick says get down Jimmy who is he talking to?

[@Swineflu1]

wow great job!

[@goldbug7127]

I've been listening to this song since the first time it was broadcast on the radio. You've taken it in several directions, but the song is very simple. Jagger even sets us up, repeating , "Can you guess my game? Aren't you curious?" Don't we all wonder, "What is the Devil's ultimate game?" He finally tells us. "Use all your well-learned politics, Or I'll lay your soul to waste." When I first heard this song, politics was a core subject in High School. Schools today don't enlighten students by teaching politics, they use politics to indoctrinate students. Understanding politics is necessary to understanding this song. The Devil is in us. We killed the Kennedys because we let them get away with it. We choose to be a criminal or a saint. A human shot down Anastasia, followed the General and laid pungi traps for musicians. Jesus was most human, like all of us, in a moment of doubt and pain. Politics, to me anyway, is to understand that we are all different and unique, and that fact is what makes us all the same. If we don't work together, we will all burn in hell.

[@hellhound1389]

The message I got from it was the devil is the scapegoat for mankinds evil and we didn't need prompting to commit atrocities

[@pebblehilllane]

A live performance of "Sympathy For The Devil" from The Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus ------ The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil (Official Video) [4K] - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKjXqqFjgZJlnbM

[@rvowles99]

You might want to do a reaction to Laibach's version next...

[@Overlord81]

You heart born with a divided choices

[@johnkochen7264]

Bill Wyman on bass makes this song.

[@Sequr2289]

😂😂Haha!! Nice reaction. Like the thumbnail. The Stones have said they'll perform this song during tour and lead guitar Keith feels sometimes uncomfortable. Any questions? 😂😂 The scriotures says that evil will have its day. And Jesus Christ will slways his boss.Just Believe in Him with all your heart. ❤️Lol 😂😂

[@aipaloovik]

My favorite Rolling Stones song is 'Paint it Black'

[@jimbrown1303]

I just fell in love with you today!!!! Best wishes sweet spirit

[@Nightowl-OO]

Devil was calling us out

[@rogy1969]

Nice ...

[@pandstar]

OK Mick, just how many syllables are there in the word "name"?

[@briangrigsby1842]

good girl!

[@dadmateryn8092]

great reaction 🙂 if you want a positive song that rocks listen to The Doobie Brothers Jesus is Alright!

[@pinzgauerbelgium]

God never created evil..mankind did and we put the blame on someone else.

[@dstonetprs]

If you enjoyed this try Gimme Shelter. Still relevant today!