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Introduction
“To Beat the Devil” isn’t just a song; it’s a story—one filled with grit, struggle, and a kind of weary hope that hits home for anyone who’s ever felt unseen. This track, written by Kris Kristofferson, stands out for its honesty, rawness, and almost haunting relatability. It’s more than lyrics and melody; it’s a moment in time, like sitting across from an old friend who’s laying bare their soul.
In “To Beat the Devil,” Kristofferson doesn’t shy away from the darker side of life. Instead, he confronts it head-on, weaving a tale about a man who’s been kicked around, battling both inner and outer demons. This is a song for the dreamers who’ve faced dead ends, the fighters who’ve been bruised, and the hopeful souls who, despite it all, still dare to chase something bigger.
What makes this song so powerful is its intimacy. Kristofferson’s voice, almost conversational, draws you in with a sense of camaraderie, like he’s right there beside you, saying, “Yeah, I know it’s tough. I’ve been there, too.” The lyrics speak of a chance encounter with a man in a bar—a symbolic representation of “the devil”—who dismisses the singer’s passion for music, mocking his struggle. But instead of giving in, the singer clings tighter to his craft, finding solace in the belief that expressing himself, even when it seems pointless, is a victory in itself.
The genius of “To Beat the Devil” lies in its simplicity and authenticity. There’s no sugarcoating here. When Kristofferson sings, “If you waste your time a-talkin’ 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 to anyone who’s ever felt like their voice was drowned out by the noise of the world. But then comes the song’s twist—the reminder that sometimes, just saying it aloud, just putting it out there, is enough.
This song isn’t about triumph in the traditional sense. It’s about persistence, about standing your ground when everything inside of you says to quit. It’s a tribute to those who keep going, even when the odds are stacked high and the path seems impossible. That’s what makes it resonate. Because whether you’re a songwriter, an artist, or just someone trying to make it through another day, “To Beat the Devil” is a reminder that staying true to yourself, refusing to surrender, is its own kind of victory.
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