Motley Crue: Shout at the Devil Meaning

Song Released: 1983

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Shout at the Devil Lyrics

Shout shout shout
Shout shout shout
Shout at the devil

He's the wolf screaming lonely in the night
He's the blood stain on the stage
He's the tear in your eye
Being tempted by his lies
He's the knife in your back
He's rage
He's the...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Feb 15th 2011 report

   I write a lot so "fair warning." Sorry, maybe I have a bit too much to say, but I love the Crue, and, here it goes....The song is about all or any of the "bad" which is a part of our every day existence. It's part of being human. Who hasn't experienced negative, sad emotions? The Devil IS "the risk in the kiss." What risk? Here's an example... A relationship could spark from making out. Then time goes by and someone gets hurt or more seriously, feels depressed after a break up. The very next line in the song is... "he (the devil) might be anger on your lips." We all get angry and sometimes say things we don't mean. Afterward we feel guilty for hurting someones feelings. Then the writer is talking about anxiety and our innate fight or flight mechanism which is essential for survival ("might run scared for the door"). Examples are endless. Could be a career choice, fist fight, or not knowing whether you really want to get married or not. It's about "put up or shut up." Anxiety at its worst could feel like torture. But never the less, anxiousness is a part of life.
   I think the other lines in the song should now seem pretty much self explanatory. People shed tears, feel lonely, are tempted by lies (could be from drugs or any kind of addiction as well as people)and get "back stabbed" by a two face. None of it feels good. If you're enraged, your mind is certainly not at peace. Usually, it stems from jealousy which, maybe is the most powerful negative emotion one can feel. Essentially what it comes down to is a description of a normal human being who has to deal with life's bs. We chose to deal with it, because it's part of who we are and possibly, that little devil within all of us waiting to come out. But the message is loud and clear..."Be strong, laugh, and shout at the Devil." Basically telling the Devil (yea,those two words) what to go do with himself. No matter how bad things get, don't let negative feelings or emotions lead you down the wrong path. A path of one's own destruction or that of someone elses. Laugh it off because in the grand scheme of things, life on earth is only a little piece of your journey. So be strong and "shake it off." Don't get too down on yourself when reality as we know it, takes up just a short amount of time. We all "sin." No one is perfect.

2. 2TOP RATED

   #2 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Jul 13th 2010 report

   It's about yelling f**k you at the devil
3. anonymous

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   Feb 18th 2018 report

   Its about drug addiction !!!!
4. anonymous

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   Oct 8th 2016 report

   Its about having sex during a women's period.
5. anonymous

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   Dec 13th 2015 report

   It's about standing up to power figures. Police politics, bad parents, ect
6. axemanwolf25

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   Feb 8th 2009 report

   yeah of course! have you seen any of Motley Crue's live clips on youtube?? he even says befroe the song starts "if you cant get what you want.. sometimes you have to SHOUT AT THE DEVIL!!!!!!!!!!"
7. Roxxi

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   Jun 23rd 2008 report

   Duh peps! This song is about standing up for what you believe in and telling those who think otherwise to FUCK OFF!

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