What Song Contains 'Devil Takes The Hindmost' Lyrics?

2026-04-09 06:30:36
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3 Answers

Owen
Owen
Twist Chaser Lawyer
That lyric pops up in 'The Devil Takes the Hindmost'—a track by Thievery Corporation, though their version is more of a hypnotic, downtempo groove than a literal retelling. It’s part of their 'Radio Retaliation' album, which layers political themes over lush electronic soundscapes. The song itself is smoky and atmospheric, with the line repeated like a mantra amid swirling beats.

I love how they repurposed the phrase to critique capitalism’s 'every man for himself' mentality. It’s less about folklore and more about modern chaos. The whole album feels like a late-night rebellion, perfect for headphones and dim lighting.
2026-04-11 01:53:42
14
Samuel
Samuel
Book Clue Finder Cashier
The phrase 'devil takes the hindmost' is famously from the song 'The Devil Takes the Hindmost' by Lord Buckley, a quirky spoken-word artist from the mid-20th century. His version is a jazzy, theatrical recitation that feels like a mix of beat poetry and old-timey vaudeville. It's got this wild energy where he almost growls the lyrics, and the whole thing is a riff on the idea of survival of the slickest.

I stumbled upon it while digging into obscure performance art, and it stuck with me because of how unabashedly weird it is. Buckley’s delivery makes the phrase feel like some ancient proverb spat out by a carnival barker. If you’re into avant-garde stuff or just love hearing words twisted into strange new shapes, it’s worth a listen.
2026-04-12 06:23:23
12
Abigail
Abigail
Insight Sharer Lawyer
You’re thinking of the proverb-turned-song 'The Devil Takes the Hindmost,' which Folkways Records included in a 1956 anthology of American folklore. The version I know is a raw, acoustic take by some anonymous field recorder—probably from the 1920s or ’30s. It’s got that eerie, unpolished quality where you can almost hear the room’s echoes. The lyrics are bleak, warning against lagging behind in life, and it pairs well with other old moralistic tunes like 'God’s Gonna Cut You Down.' It’s the kind of song that makes you pause mid-chores and just stare at the wall.
2026-04-14 00:55:43
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Are 'devil takes the hindmost' lyrics from a movie?

3 Answers2026-04-09 09:48:17
The phrase 'devil takes the hindmost' actually has a much older origin than modern movies! It’s an idiom that dates back to at least the 16th century, often used to describe a ruthless, every-man-for-himself scenario. While it’s popped up in various forms of media, I first encountered it in literature—specifically in older English proverbs and later in classic novels like 'Don Quixote.' It’s one of those phrases that feels timeless, like it could fit right into a gritty fantasy novel or a dystopian film. I love how language evolves but keeps these little relics alive. That said, I do recall it being referenced in a few films, though not as a direct lyric. For example, it might’ve been muttered in a tense scene in a war movie or a Western. It’s the kind of line a cynical character would drop before a betrayal. If you’re hunting for a specific song, you might want to check out folk or blues tracks—those genres love borrowing from old sayings. Personally, I think it’d make a great title for a darkly poetic indie song.

Who wrote the 'devil takes the hindmost' lyrics?

3 Answers2026-04-09 19:26:22
The lyrics for 'Devil Takes the Hindmost' have this fascinating backstory that feels like peeling layers off an onion. Originally, it's a phrase with roots in old English proverbs, but the song itself was penned by Allan Holdsworth, the legendary jazz fusion guitarist, for his 1985 album 'Metal Fatigue.' Holdsworth wasn't just a virtuoso player; his compositions had this eerie, cinematic quality, and this track is no exception. The title references the idea of the 'devil' claiming those who fall behind—a metaphor for life's relentless pace. I love how the instrumental version feels like a chase scene in a noir film, all tension and sudden bursts of clarity. Holdsworth's work often blurs lines between genres, and 'Devil Takes the Hindmost' is a perfect example. It's got these cascading arpeggios that feel like freefall, yet the structure is tight as a drum. Fans of progressive rock or fusion might recognize his influence in bands like Rush or Dream Theater. What’s wild is how the song’s title has popped up elsewhere—sometimes misattributed or reinterpreted in folk circles. It’s one of those cultural artifacts that keeps evolving.

What do 'devil takes the hindmost' lyrics mean?

3 Answers2026-04-09 17:29:46
The phrase 'devil takes the hindmost' has always fascinated me—it feels like a relic from some old, shadowy tavern tale. The lyrics, especially in songs like those from 'The Mechanisms' or folk ballads, paint this ruthless image of survival where the slowest or weakest gets left behind. It’s Darwinism wrapped in folklore, y’know? Like a chase where the devil isn’t just a metaphor but an active predator. I love how it pops up in steampunk or dark fantasy themes, adding this layer of desperation. It makes me think of 'The Magnus Archives'—how inevitability lurks in stories. That phrase sticks because it’s visceral; you can almost hear the footsteps fading behind you. Digging deeper, it’s wild how adaptable the idea is. In some contexts, it’s a warning against complacency ('keep up or perish'). In others, it’s a critique of cutthroat systems—capitalism, war, even fandoms where unpopular opinions get 'left' to toxic debates. The devil here isn’t just supernatural; he’s systemic. Ever notice how it echoes in competitive gaming, too? Ranked matches where the 'hindmost' get demoted? Chilling how a 17th-century saying still fits modern life.

Is there a video for 'devil takes the hindmost' lyrics?

3 Answers2026-04-09 21:07:20
The phrase 'devil takes the hindmost' is more of a proverb than a song lyric, but it’s popped up in various cultural contexts, including music. I haven’t come across a dedicated music video for it, but I’ve seen it referenced in a few obscure tracks and even some folk songs. The saying itself has this eerie, old-world charm—like something out of a gothic novel or a folk tale. It’s the kind of line that sticks with you, you know? I’d love to see someone turn it into a full-blown music video with dark, surreal visuals—maybe something along the lines of 'The Handsome Family’s' style or even a 'Nick Cave' mood piece. If you’re digging for something similar, you might want to check out artists who lean into macabre or historical themes. Bands like 'The Decemberists' or 'Murder by Death' often weave proverbs and old sayings into their lyrics. Or, if you’re into soundtracks, 'The Devil’s Carnival' might scratch that itch—it’s packed with dark, theatrical numbers that feel like they could’ve inspired a 'devil takes the hindmost' vibe. Honestly, if there isn’t a video yet, someone should make one—I’d watch it in a heartbeat.

Who are the key figures in 'Devil Take the Hindmost'?

3 Answers2025-06-18 19:14:06
The key figures in 'Devil Take the Hindmost' are a mix of ruthless opportunists and tragic dreamers, each chasing wealth in their own way. Edward Chancellor's book exposes the wildest speculators in financial history, like John Law, whose Mississippi Scheme inflated and burst like a soap bubble. Then there's Jesse Livermore, the Wolf of Wall Street before the title existed, who made and lost fortunes playing the market like a violin. The most fascinating might be Isaac Newton - yes, the gravity guy - who got burned so badly in the South Sea Bubble that he banned talking about stocks. Chancellor shows how these figures weren't just greedy; they were believers in systems that ultimately betrayed them.

Why is 'Devil Take the Hindmost' relevant to modern investors?

3 Answers2025-06-18 05:35:35
'Devil Take the Hindmost' hits hard because it exposes timeless human behaviors that wreck portfolios. The book dissects how euphoria and panic drive bubbles and crashes—patterns repeating today with crypto frenzies or meme stocks. Greed makes people chase rising prices blindly, while fear triggers sell-offs that compound losses. The 1929 crash and dot-com bubble mirror modern events like the GameStop saga, proving little changes despite new technology. Investors still ignore fundamentals for hype, overleveraging themselves on shaky assets. The book's historical cases teach crucial lessons: recognize herd mentality, avoid FOMO trades, and maintain skepticism when 'this time is different' narratives emerge. Its relevance lies in showing how psychology, not just economics, shapes markets.

Is 'Devil Take the Hindmost' based on true financial events?

3 Answers2025-06-18 04:48:16
I recently dug into 'Devil Take the Hindmost' and was blown by how it mirrors real financial chaos. The book isn’t a straight documentary, but it stitches together historical manias—like the Tulip Craze or the 1929 Crash—into a chilling pattern. Edward Chancellor doesn’t just recount events; he exposes the psychology behind bubbles, showing how greed and fear play out identically across centuries. The South Sea Bubble section? Pure gold—aristocrats betting fortunes on imaginary profits, just like crypto bros today. While it names real players (John Law, anyone?), it’s more about timeless human folly than specific fact-checking.

Does 'Devil Take the Hindmost' predict future financial crises?

3 Answers2025-06-18 04:17:38
I've read 'Devil Take the Hindmost' multiple times, and while it doesn't predict specific future financial crises, it absolutely nails the patterns that lead to them. The book brilliantly dissects how human psychology—greed, fear, and herd mentality—fuels market bubbles and crashes. It shows how these cycles repeat across centuries, from tulip mania to the dot-com bubble. The author doesn't claim to be a prophet, but the historical parallels make it clear: if people keep speculating wildly without regard for fundamentals, crises will keep happening. The 2008 crash and recent crypto collapses prove his analysis is timeless. For anyone watching markets today, this book is like having X-ray vision for spotting danger zones.

How does 'Devil Take the Hindmost' explain market bubbles?

3 Answers2025-06-18 05:55:07
The book 'Devil Take the Hindmost' digs into market bubbles with a historical lens, showing how human psychology fuels these financial frenzies. It highlights patterns like irrational exuberance and herd mentality, where investors chase rising prices blindly, convinced the good times will never end. The author points to classic examples like the Tulip Mania and the Dot-com bubble, where speculation divorced asset prices from reality. What stands out is the critique of capitalism's inherent instability—markets aren't rational but driven by greed and fear. The title itself captures the essence: in bubbles, the 'devil' (crash) inevitably catches those at the back (late investors). The book stresses how bubbles aren't anomalies but cyclical features of free markets, amplified by new technologies or financial innovations that create illusions of infinite growth.
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