About the song
“Devil Woman” is a 1976 single by British singer Cliff Richard from his album “I’m Nearly Famous.” This song marked a significant moment in Richard’s career, becoming a global hit upon its release and experiencing a resurgence in popularity decades later. It notably appeared in the 2017 film “I, Tonya” as the theme for the character LaVona Golden, played by Allison Janney, which introduced the song to a new generation of listeners.
Written by Terry Britten and Christine Authors, who was the singer of the Family Dogg under the name Christine Holmes, “Devil Woman” is a narrative-driven song. It tells the story from the perspective of a man who encounters a stray cat with evil eyes, leading to a series of unfortunate events. Seeking help from a psychic medium to break the curse, he discovers that she was the one who cast the curse in the first place. The specific nature of the curse remains ambiguous, adding to the song’s mysterious and eerie atmosphere.
Released in late April 1976, “Devil Woman” quickly climbed the charts. In Richard’s native UK, the single reached number 9 on the singles chart by June 1976. In the United States, the song achieved even greater success, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. This made it Richard’s highest-peaking single and biggest seller in the US, marking his first entry into the Top 20 in America. “Devil Woman” became Richard’s third biggest-selling single, with over two million copies sold worldwide. It was certified Gold by the RIAA in the US and by the CRIA in Canada, solidifying its status as a major hit.
The recording of “Devil Woman” features an array of talented musicians. Terry Britten played guitar, Alan Tarney provided the bass, Clem Cattini was on drums, Graham Todd played keyboards, and Tony Rivers, John Perry, and Ken Gold contributed backing vocals. Richard Hewson arranged the strings, adding a lush, orchestral layer to the track. The song is heavily guitar-driven, with soft-distortion lines that double the melody in the chorus and long, high, sustained single notes that create an atmospheric backdrop over the verses. Alongside the guitar, a Rhodes electric piano, bass guitar, drums, and percussion provide the song’s rich instrumental foundation.
The influence of “Devil Woman” extended beyond Cliff Richard’s discography. The song’s chorus vocal line was later mimicked in Black Sabbath’s “Lady Evil,” highlighting its lasting impact on the music industry. The song’s blend of rock elements with a catchy, narrative-driven melody resonated with audiences worldwide, making it a timeless piece in Richard’s extensive catalog.
“Devil Woman” remains a standout track in Cliff Richard’s career, exemplifying his ability to cross genres and captivate listeners with compelling storytelling and memorable melodies. Its success in the 1970s and its revival in the 2010s demonstrate the enduring appeal of this classic hit.
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Lyrics
I’ve had nothing, but bad luck
Since the day I saw the cat at my door
So I came into you sweet lady
Answering your mystical call
Crystal ball on the table
Showing the future, the past
Same cat with them evil eyes
And I knew it was a spell she cast
She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you
She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you from behind
Give me the ring on your finger
Let me see the lines on your hand
I can see me a tall dark stranger
Giving you what you hadn’t planned
I drank the potion she offered me
I found myself on the floor
Then I looked in those big green eyes
And I wondered what I’d came there for
She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you
She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you from behind
Stay away, look out
If you’re out on a moonlit night
Be careful of them neighborhood strays
Of a lady with long black hair
Tryin’ to win you with her feminine ways
Crystal ball on the table
Showing the future, the past
Same cat with them evil eyes
You’d better get out of there fast
She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you
She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you
She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you
She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you