Pop Shots – Column #666

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting a milestone of sorts – we’ve reached the 666th edition of the column. Since that number is associated with a certain demonic ruler of hell, it seems appropriate to dedicate Pop Shots #666 to songs about the devil.

Of course, since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude. Also, cuz … you know … Satan.

 

INXS – Devil Inside

 

I think most of us who were around in the ‘80s feel INXS created some of the sexiest rock music in history. What I mean by this is damned near ever song was pure sex in some way, shape, or form.

The incredible guitar riff of “Devil Inside,” paired with Michael Hutchence’s legendary vocals, and drums and bass designed to raise your heart rate, resulted in a song that was devilishly good, and absolutely makes you want to f*ck.

 

The Rolling Stones – Sympathy for the Devil

 

The Rolling Stones don’t just have a lot of great songs, they have more great songs than most bands have songs, period. With that incredible catalogue of music in mind, “Sympathy for the Devil” is one of my favorites. One – it’s a fantastic song, and features every member of The Stones at the top of their game. Two – it’s the rare Stones classic that hasn’t been beaten to death by advertising, and classic rock radio.

If it’s possible to have a hidden gem in a greatest hits collection, this song would qualify.

 

Van Halen – Runnin’ with the Devil

 

First off – worst workout partner ever! I do not want to go runnin’ with the devil, as I can only imagine the stamina level of the Prince of Darkness. That said, I would absolutely go runnin’ to this Van Halen classic.

Much like “Sympathy for the Devil” was The Rolling Stones at their best, “Runnin’ with the Devil” was Van Halen at their best.

 

The Charlie Daniels Band – The Devil Went Down to Georgia

 

How could I possibly have a list like this without “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”?

This is easily the best song ever about a fiddle battle with Satan, and for many of us it’s the only reason we know The Charlie Daniels Band. You know what? I bet they’re OK with that, because this song has been around since 1979, and every generation of music fan is familiar with it, as I’m sure all future generations will be, as well.

 

Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels – Devil with a Blue Dress On

 

Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels’ fast-paced cover of “Devil with a Blue Dress On,” which is combined with a cover of “Good Golly, Miss Molly,” is the most known version of this song, and I’m sure I’m not just speaking for myself when I say many of us have known at least one actual devil with a blue dress on … and it’s been a delight.

It’s kinda crazy that with this incredible sound the band didn’t go further in the U.S. They did, however, become huge in Germany, as apparently Germans love more than just David Hasselhoff.

 

Beck – Devils Haircut

 

Although the lack of an apostrophe in the song title always kills me, “Devils Haircut” is one of my favorite Beck songs, and 26 years later it still sounds just as groundbreaking as it did back in 1996. Heck, you could put this song on pop radio today, and kids would be like, “What is this amazing new sound I’m hearing?!?!”

As an aside, I will never have a devil’s haircut, because that would require me to have hair.

 

Cake – Satan is My Motor

 

Cake is a band you either love, or don’t understand at all. Personally, ever since my freshman year of college in ’96, I’ve been a fan of the band.

“Satan is My Motor” features John McCrea’s classic vocal delivery, and wonderfully strange, yet occasionally heartfelt lyrics.

As for Satan actually being your motor … I feel like you’d overheat pretty quickly.

 

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.