"Runnin' with the Devil" is the second single from Van Halen's 1978 eponymous debut album. The song lyrics were inspired by the Ohio Players song "Runnin' from the Devil". In 2009, it was named the 9th greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1.
The lyrics of the song have been misunderstood many times as demonic, although the musicians have never divulged the song's full meaning. It's commonly assumed that it's about the life of a touring youth band. The verses of the song deal with a person's experience, such as finding that a "simple" lifestyle is not as simple as it appears. The words "Runnin' with the devil" are frequently understood as a reference to liberty. Freedom is depicted in the song as a lack of social connections and living in the moment. The song's meaning has also been interpreted as being an attempt to convince a person that the theme of a simple life is not wrong as it appears. Therefore, the lyrics of "Runnin' with the devil" would not be serious.
Lyrics
I live my life like there's no tomorrow
And all I've got I had to steal
Least I don't need to beg or borrow
Yes, I'm living at a pace that kills
Runnin' with the devil
Runnin' with the devil
I'll tell y'all about it
I found the simple life ain't so simple
When I jumped out on that road
I got no love, no love you'd call real
Ain't got nobody waiting at home
Runnin' with the devil
God damn it lady, you know I ain't lying to ya
I'm wanna tell you one time
Aah-yeah
Running with the devil
Yes I am
Yeah
Woo
Woo
You know I, I found the simple life, weren't so simple, no
When I jumped out on that road
Got no love, no love you'd call real
Got nobody waiting at home
Runnin' with the devil
Runnin' with the devil
Runnin' with the devil
Runnin' with the devil
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