i like the devil

Song Meaning

The lyrics of "i like the devil" paint a somber, intimate portrait of quiet suffering and hidden burdens. Verse 1 immediately immerses us in a domestic scene, where a "Mother" figure performs almost ritualistic acts of coping. She's seen "Whispering the wishes to the threads," weaving in dread and regret, suggesting a deep, unspoken sorrow. Central to the song's emotional tension is the speaker's enigmatic power, declared in the chorus: "I, like the devil, can fly / And I, like God, can fly." This striking comparison positions the narrator as an entity of immense, morally ambiguous influence, capable of both divine and destructive oversight. The image of holding "a candle over her, frightened" further complicates this power, implying either a protective vigil or a menacing observation over a vulnerable individual. The craft here is particularly effective in its use of contrasting imagery and a questioning tone. While the first verse grounds us in tangible, sorrowful actions, Verse 2 shifts to a more philosophical, cynical stance, asking, "What is happiness but a word?" This detachment is quickly undercut by a visceral feeling: "I have felt the wind crawl where we're cursed." The repetition of "Lying in positions, like we've slept" evokes a sense of dormancy, perhaps a forced resignation or a state of being hidden away from the world's harsh realities. Ultimately, these lyrics hit hard because they juxtapose profound human vulnerability with a transcendent, unsettling power. The intimate details of the Mother's quiet grief and the collective sense of being "cursed" are observed by a narrator who embodies both light and shadow. This creates a haunting, introspective atmosphere, making the listener ponder the hidden struggles beneath the surface and the complex nature of observation and intervention.