This my follow-up to my 2016 song "Counting on Love". In that song, written in the wake of the 2016 election, I was so hopeful people would learn to love and respect again. I was let down.
This song talks about what has happened since. How we've walked the Devil's walk of lies and anger. We act self-righteous, but we are not. We think we speak the truth, but we are hypocritical puppets. It's about realizing humanity's flaws and rejecting them.
lyrics
Devil’s Walk
See, everybody’s got something to die for
But they spend their whole lives living flat on the floor
They’re talking and crying and screaming so loud
Pushing their opinions every way they know how
But did you stop to think the world’ll keep on spinnin’
when you said it all, when you think you’re finished
‘cause everyone’s a hero, everyone’s a victim
I hear what you’re sayin, it’s just not convincing…me
‘cause she talks to jesus
She keeps an open mind
She keeps looking for faith
But it’s hard to find
She wonders why
God left her behind
Left us behind
Prayin’ for God her whole life
But the devil’s been right at her side
Which way can you turn
Which way’s right
Which way is right?
I’ll walk the devil’s walk
See, everybody’s sane in a world gone mad
Everyone deserves more than they have
But not everybody thinks the way you do
When there’s too many shades of the truth
But I can’t keep my tongue tied anymore
I got too much to say, to fight for
You’re my sister, you’re my brother
So, why’d they go and shoot another…down?
‘cause he talks to jesus
He keeps an open mind
He keeps looking for faith
But it’s hard to find
He wonders why
God left him behind
Left us behind
Prayin’ for God his whole life
But the devil’s been right at his side
Which way can you turn
Which way’s right
Which way is right?
We’ll walk the devil’s walk
How long, how long
Can we keep this going on
We’re running out of time
Out of time
But did you stop to think the world’ll keep on spinnin’
When you said it all, when you think you’re finished
‘cause everyone’s a hero, everyone’s a victim
I hear what you’re sayin’, it’s just not convincin’ … me
CHORUS
The devil’s walk,
The devil’s walk….
‘cause everyone’s a hero, everyone’s a victim
I hear what you’re sayin’, it’s just not convincin’ … me
credits
from A Thousand Lives,
released November 28, 2021
Jess Novak - acoustic guitar / vocals
Anthony Saturno - electric guitar
Nick Fields - trumpet / backup vocals
Byron Cage - drums
Gavin George - drums
Jabare Mckinstry - bass
Deyquan Bowens - keys, etc.
Ben Wayne - backup vocals
Pop, rock, funk, soul, love. The Jess Novak Band has rocked audiences along the East Coast and Novak has delivered from
Burlington, VT to San Diego, CA. "A Thousand Lives" will mark her 10th original album since 2013. JNB has won Best Pop twice at the Syracuse Area Music Awards and Novak was named Best Female Vocalist in Syracuse in 2018....more
The North Carolina singer's sprawling debut galvanizes the turbo-charged spirit of retro-soul into something truly spectacular. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 24, 2019
An ambitious pop song cycle about human loneliness and fear, thick with harmonies and buoyed by tight musicianship. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 27, 2018
“Portraits” is a collection of expertly drawn narrative songs with sharply observed lyrics and rustic instrumentation. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 25, 2022
The former Summer Twin steps into her own on a sophisticated solo record full of classic pop sounds and starry-eyed optimism. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 23, 2022