Sympathy for The Devil (Rare Live Footage Included!)
Sympathy for The Devil (Rare Live Footage Included!)
If you think about it, many Christians and the middleclass, conservative sector of Americans at the time utilized this song to really play into the role that rock and roll music was actually music of the devil. When indeed, this song is clearly not as such and there were many close minded people who used it to create a poor reputation for The Stones. The song was actually intended as a song from the first person perspective of being the devil, as Mick Jagger clearly represents in his lyrics for the tune.
“Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste. I was around when Jesus Christ had his moment of doubt and pain/ Made damn sure that Pilate washed his hands and sealed his fate.”
Rolling Stones - Sympathy for The Devil (Live 1969 Altamont)
Perhaps some of the rarest Rolling Stones footage that you will ever get to watch is imbedded below for your viewing pleasures! Trekking back in time, nearly to when this song was first written, we come across a great video of a live performance in Altamont in 1969, as the Stones were on yet another intercontinental, world tour! This is also during the heyday of the other fab four, The Beatles. And no, I am not saying that one band is better than the other…just that they both rocked! As you can see, the crowd loves Mick Jagger and his Rolling Stones. It is also worth noting – based upon comparing years of footage – that their live performances are equally as intense now, forty some-odd years later, as they were when the band was young and more agile. This is why The Rolling Stones have remained such a household name and mainstay in rock and roll to the present!