Devil In The Details

This song is brilliant.

I'm not sure about the meaning but here are my thoughts.

I think the song is about drugs, or fighting the addiction to them in particular.

"the devil in the details" is basically a metaphor for an addiction - Brian is sick of trying to quit the drugs so he's giving in to "the devil". "fixing up to take a bite" is likely a reference to preparing to take a hit, likewise for "im gonna dance with him tonight".

Anyway, the rest is pretty self-explanatory if the lyrics are read in this way.

What does everyone else think?

This is fucking basically the equal of the Nine Inch Nails track, "Even Deeper". A personal favorite of mine. Basically, realizing you like to get really fucking messed up, because it inspires you. And wanting to go back to that lifestyle again, because it got you more in life.

I think this song is about breaking ties with the record label. "devil in the details"-meaning the contract they were under. "all of my wrongs"- groups with agendas (companies, institutions, gov. agencies,etc.) teach that the fault is in the self-the thought processes keeps people from retaliating. "songs i hope to write someday"- may be literal, as in not living by social commands; or it can be taken as freedom from censorship when making and distributing future songs. "looks like the devil is here to stay"- demonstrates the band's resolve with the conflict. I took it as a sarcastic retort at the record label- because placebo was probably made to feel at fault for ditching the contract; it was really the label that was "wicked". So on the whole, its a positive song about conflict and resolve.

well the idiom 'devil in the detail' mean that a small things that are ignored can cause serious problems later on....

so keeping that in mind, i think it's about him accepting his errors and dealing with the consequences as he deserved it but also, to 'dance with him tonight' can suggest he's going to be positive and not feel sorry for himself, and instead say 'bring it on!'

This song is externally about the fight every creative person has to take up: Fighting resistance and making their own work the best it can possibly be. But there's more emphasis put on the internal state of the protagonist. Even though there's the morality of the protagonist addressed: 'All of my wrongs and all my wicked ways will come back to haunt me', the revelation is stronger that changed the protagonist's worldview. It's a Worldview Revelation scene because realizing that the devil is in the detail is the main character's discovery. Or even better, that'S what we in the Story Grid say to this internal genre and it fits perfectly to the song: "When a protagonist, with well-developed will but lacking in essential facts, experiences doubt about their circumstances which leads to a revelation of a shocking truth, they can make wise and appropriate decisions."

Thanks for the lyrics!!! I've heard the song, it's great and it seems that the new album is gonna be great, too... I think the soing will be one of my favourites. Placebo4life!!!!!!!

Just some corrections ;)

"He's a fucking pantomime" ..I listended to this one a couple of times and it sounded more like: "He's a fucking pal of mine"

"Let me take you far away With the devil in the details We'll kiss and tremble with the light" ..should be: "Let me take you for a ride With the devil in the details We'll kiss and tremble with delight"

oh, this song is so mine

I think Cameo is right.

Maybe the "he wrote the songs/that I hoped to write someday" part means wanting to write passionate songs, but only getting intense feelings from drugs - making drugs the fuel for creativity. If someone decided to write a song, they'd be pretty damn disappointed if the only experiences powerful enough to mention were chemically induced. Empty life, "wasting all my time", makes sense.

I love the way he sings this one.

i think that brian is talking about an alter ego, the other personality inside him, the person he becomes when he writes, and he talks about this person as the devil because when he writes all his beautiful songs he tries to do them sooo perfect also he has said Placebo will continue for at least 10 years "looks like the devil is here to stay" I dont know, just my opinion .... =)