Elvis Songs: Devil In Disguise

Written by: Bill Giant, Bernie Baum, Florence Kaye

Recorded: May 26, 1963, RCA Studios, Nashville
Released master is take 6.

Single:w/ "Please Don't Drag That String Around", 47-8188, June 1963
Also re-released as Gold Standard Series, 447-0641, August 1964
Also released w/ "One Broken Heart For Sale" on Collectibles DPE-1012 4512, December 1986

RIAA Certified: Gold (as of 03/27/1992)

Highest U.S. Charts Positions:
#3 on Billboard's Hot 100
#9 on Rhythm & Blues chart

1st LP release: Elvis Gold Records, Volume 4 - February 1968

A pop-rock classic, and Elvis' last visit to the top ten for a while, "Devil In Disguise" was the most successful of Elvis' many recordings by the songwriting team of Bill Giant, Bernie Baum, and Florence Kaye.

I'll write more about it, I promise, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, check out the links and stuff!

"Devil In Disguise" is a very unusual song: the guitar and piano introduction is contradicted by the subsequent cha-cha rhythm, and when the chorus arrives the beat has changed to a fast pulse. A solid bass from Bob Moore joins in and the song takes off when clapping suddenly appears.

Robert Matthew-Walker, Elvis Presley - A Study In Music, 1979


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...This fast-and-slow effect is repeated throughout the song for a highly entertaining effect. There is not much to the song beyond that gimmick -- the tune is repetitious and the lyrics are clichéd -- but Presley's vocal and his band's playing turn it into a roller coaster ride...

Read more at the AllMusic entry for Devil In Disguise

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Check out other Elvis fans' opinions on the Elvis News page for Devil In Disguise

You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise
You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise

You fooled me with your kisses
You cheated and you schemed
Heaven knows how you lied to me
You're not the way you seemed

You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise

You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise

I thought that I was in heaven
But I was sure surprised
Heaven help me, I didn't see
The devil in your eyes

You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel

But I got wise
You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise

You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise