Imagine a song so iconic, it’s been accused of glorifying Satanism, yet its creator insists it’s about facing darkness head-on. On this day in 1968, The Rolling Stones unleashed ‘Sympathy For The Devil,’ a track that’s as controversial as it is genius. But here’s where it gets fascinating: this masterpiece wasn’t born from a single spark of inspiration—it’s a kaleidoscope of influences, from Bob Dylan’s folk storytelling to the sultry rhythms of Brazil, and even the haunting depths of French literature. And this is the part most people miss: Marianne Faithfull, the band’s muse-in-residence, played a pivotal role in shaping its dark allure.
At first glance, ‘Sympathy For The Devil’ might seem like a Jagger-Richards collaboration, but it’s a rare gem where Mick Jagger flew solo as the songwriter. Controversially, Keith Richards still snagged a credit on the album, though his influence is undeniable—it was his nudge that transformed the track from a rambling folk tune into a samba-infused anthem. Jagger himself admitted in a 1995 Rolling Stone interview that he initially envisioned it as a Bob Dylan-esque piece, something you could almost hear on Highway 61 Revisited. Picture Dylan’s raspy voice delivering the iconic line, ‘Pleased to meet you, won’t you guess my name,’ and you’ll see the parallel.
But Dylan wasn’t the only muse. Marianne Faithfull, in a 2005 Mojo interview, claimed the song was deeply tied to her. She introduced Jagger to Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, a novel that, after lengthy discussions, became a cornerstone of the song’s narrative. Faithfull boldly stated, ‘I opened up a new world for him,’ positioning herself as a subtler yet equally transformative influence compared to Yoko Ono’s impact on John Lennon. Yet, Jagger later credited French poet Charles Baudelaire as a literary inspiration, leaving fans to wonder: Did he confuse Bulgakov with Baudelaire, or did he blend both into a singular, haunting vision?
The song’s Latin rhythms and percussion owe a debt to Jagger’s trip to Brazil, adding another layer to its complexity. And this is where it gets truly divisive: In an era when The Rolling Stones were already under fire for alleged Satanic ties, a song titled ‘Sympathy For The Devil’ only fanned the flames. Yet, Keith Richards defended it as ‘uplifting,’ arguing it’s about confronting the Devil rather than worshipping him. Is it a daring exploration of humanity’s darker corners, or a step too far? That’s for you to decide.
So, here’s the question: Is ‘Sympathy For The Devil’ a misunderstood masterpiece, or does it cross a line? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take on this timeless enigma.
