Devil (Shinedown song) explained

Devil
Type:single
Artist:Shinedown
Album:Attention Attention
Recorded:2017–2018
Genre:Hard rock[1] [2]
Label:Atlantic
Producer:Eric Bass
Prev Title:How Did You Love
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:Get Up
Next Year:2018

"Devil" is a song by American rock band Shinedown. It was their first single off of their sixth studio album Attention Attention. It reached number one on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in May 2018.

Background

The song was first released on March 7, 2018, as the first single from the band's sixth studio album, Attention Attention.[3] [4] An accompanying music video was released on the same day,[5] also including the intro track "The Entrance" at the beginning of the video. The video was directed by Bill Yukich, who had previously directed the videos for Beyonce's Lemonade videos for HBO.[6] The song is included in WWE 2K19's soundtrack, being selected by Baron Corbin to appear in game.[7] The Song was also included in the Apex Legends Season 3 cinematic trailer.

Themes and composition

Lyrically, the song has been described by Alternative Press as "a deep dive into the heart of fear".[8] Attention Attention is a concept album that details a person's progression, from being in a dark, negative space, to working through their issues and eventually progressing into be a new, more positive person; "Devil" is the second track from the album, and the first fully formed song after the intro track, placing it in the more negativity-themed side of the album.[6] Frontman Brent Smith outlined the meaning of the song:Musically, Loudwire described the song as having a dense, wall of sound quality to it, describing it as having a "sliding guitar lick and off kilter beat"...backing choirs.. layers of synth, piano and guitar textures."[9]

Personnel

Band

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2018)Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[10] 24
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[11] 32

Notes and References

  1. Shinedown Breaks Record For Most Rock Airplay Top 10s With 'Get Up'. Rutherford. Kevin. November 21, 2018. Billboard. December 18, 2018.
  2. Web site: The 40 Best Hard Rock Songs of 2018. December 3, 2018. Loudwire. en. December 18, 2018.
  3. Web site: 7 March 2018 . Watch the video for Devil, the new single from Shinedown . https://web.archive.org/web/20180307214354/http://teamrock.com/news/2018-03-07/shinedown-announce-new-album-release-video-for-devil-single . 2018-03-07 . teamrock.com .
  4. Web site: Shinedown Have Released A New Single And Video, Devil — Kerrang!. Kerrang!. 7 March 2018 .
  5. Web site: SHINEDOWN To Release 'Attention Attention' Album In May; 'Devil' Video Available. 7 March 2018.
  6. Shinedown Announces New Album 'ATTENTION ATTENTION,' Releases Single 'DEVIL': Video Premiere. Billboard.
  7. Web site: https://wwe.2k.com/news/wwe-2k19-soundtrack/.
  8. Web site: Hear Shinedown's strident new song "Devil" from their upcoming album - News - Alternative Press. Alternative Press.
  9. Web site: Shinedown Warn of the 'Devil' in New 'Attention Attention' Song. Loudwire. 7 March 2018 .
  10. Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. March 24, 2020.
  11. Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. January 21, 2022.