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Introduction
“To Beat the Devil” isn’t just a song; it’s a conversation, a confession, and a tribute to the relentless spirit of anyone who’s ever felt beaten down by life’s harsh realities. Written by Kris Kristofferson, this track is more than words set to music—it’s a raw reflection on the struggle of the human spirit to keep pushing forward, even when the world seems indifferent to your dreams. The song feels like sitting down with a close friend over a late-night cup of coffee, listening to them bare their soul, share their doubts, and ultimately remind you that no matter what, you’re not alone in this fight.
Kris wrote this song at a time when he himself was a struggling songwriter, working odd jobs and barely making ends meet. He could have easily walked away, given up, and slipped into the shadows of obscurity. But “To Beat the Devil” captures his steadfast determination to keep going, despite the voice in his head (the ‘Devil’ in the song) telling him it’s hopeless. It’s relatable for anyone who’s ever chased a dream that seemed impossible, faced rejection, or questioned their own worth.
The song opens with a soft, almost conversational tone, describing a night at a run-down bar where the narrator meets a man who is a mirror reflection of his fears and failures. This “Devil” isn’t a literal character, but more a manifestation of self-doubt and the weariness that comes from repeated setbacks. The beauty of this song is in its honesty. Kristofferson doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle. He acknowledges it and then offers a quiet, defiant hope that if you keep pushing forward, if you keep “singing,” you just might beat that devil inside you.
But the true magic of this song is the line, “If you waste your time talking to the people who don’t listen to the things that you are saying, who do you think’s gonna hear?” It’s a gut-punch reminder that the only person you truly need to convince is yourself. The rest will follow. It’s a song that makes you pause and think, a message wrapped in melody, speaking directly to anyone who’s ever been down and out.
Musically, “To Beat the Devil” is understated, almost sparse, letting the lyrics carry the weight of the story. The gentle guitar and soft, folksy rhythm give it an intimate feel, like a personal letter from Kristofferson to anyone willing to listen. His voice, with its gravelly sincerity, pulls you in, making each word resonate deeply.
For those who know what it means to fight for something, or someone, when all the odds are against you, “To Beat the Devil” feels like a lifeline. It’s a nod to the resilience of the human spirit, a salute to the ones who refuse to give in, and an encouragement to keep going—because sometimes, that’s how you beat the devil.
Video
Lyrics
[Intro]
A couple of years back, I come across a
Great and wasted friend of mine in the hallway of a recording studio
And while he was reciting some poetry to me that he’d written
I saw that he was about a step away from dyin’ and I couldn’t help but wonder why
And, uh, the lines of this song occurred to me
I’m happy to say he’s no longer wasted and he’s got him a good woman
And I’d like to dedicate this to John and June
Who helped show me how to beat the devil
[Verse 1]
It was winter time in Nashville, down on Music City Row
And I was lookin’ for a place to get myself out of the cold
To warm the frozen feelin’ that was eatin’ at my soul
Keep the chilly wind off my guitar
My thirsty wanted whisky, my hungry needed beans
But it’d been of month of paydays since I’d heard that eagle scream
So with a stomach full of empty and a pocket full of dreams
I left my pride and stepped inside a bar
Actually, I guess you’d call it a tavern
Cigarette smoke to the ceilin’ and sawdust on the floor
Friendly shadows
[Verse 2]
I saw that there was just one old man sittin’ at the bar
And in the mirror, I could see him checkin’ me and my guitar
And he turned and said, “Come up here, boy, and show us what you are”
I said “I’m dry,” and he bought me a beer
He nodded at my guitar and said, “It’s a tough life, ain’t it?”
I just looked at him
He said, “You ain’t makin’ any money, are you?”
I said, “You’ve been readin’ my mail”
He just smiled and said, “Let me see that guitar
I got somethin’ you oughta hear”
Then he laid it on me
[Chorus]
“If you waste your time a-talkin’
To the people who don’t listen
To the things that you are sayin’
Who do you think’s gonna hear?
And if you should die explainin’ how
The things that they complain about
Are things they could be changin’
Who do you think’s gonna care?”
There were other lonely singers in a world turned deaf and blind
Who were crucified for what they tried to show
And their voices have been scattered by the swirlin’ winds of time
‘Cause the truth remains that no one wants to know
[Verse 3]
Well, the old man was a stranger, but I’d heard his song before
Back when failure had me locked out on the wrong side of the door
When no one stood behind me but my shadow on the floor
And lonesome was more than a state of mind
You see, the devil haunts a hungry man
If you don’t wanna join him, you gotta beat him
I ain’t sayin’ I beat the devil, but I drank his beer for nothing
Then I stole his song
[Chorus]
And you still can hear me singin’
To the people who don’t listen
To the things that I am sayin’
Prayin’ someone’s gonna hear
And I guess I’ll die explainin’ how
The things that they complain about
Are things they could be changin’
Hopin’ someone’s gonna care
I was born a lonely singer and I’m bound to die the same
But I’ve gotta feed the hunger in my soul
And if I never have a nickel, I won’t ever die ashamed
‘Cause I don’t believe that no one wants to know