The Rolling Stones Sympathy for the Devil meaning

The lyrics are inspired by the Russian novel The Master and Margarita, highlighting how humans have always sympathized with the evil that leads them to commit atrocious acts.

Curious facts on Sympathy for the Devil

The song was released in 1968 as part of the album Beggars Banquet and cemented the Rolling Stones' nickname as Their Satanic Majesties. It was influenced by a trip to Brazil and the novel focuses on the injustices of Stalinism.