Meet the Devil

Paul Williams' song 'Meet the Devil' delves into the unsettling experience of confronting evil in its most personal form. The lyrics immediately set a tone of surprise and disbelief, as the narrator never expected to meet the devil face to face. This encounter is not just a metaphorical brush with evil but a literal meeting, which adds a layer of intensity and fear to the narrative.

The devil in this song is portrayed as a solitary figure, someone who 'always worked alone' and 'seldom wrote or used the phone.' This description paints a picture of an elusive and enigmatic character, one who operates in the shadows and avoids direct communication. The devil's reclusive nature makes the narrator's decision to walk right up to his place even more daring and audacious. This act of confronting the devil head-on suggests a moment of reckoning or a desperate need for answers.

Culturally, the devil is often seen as the embodiment of ultimate evil, temptation, and moral corruption. By choosing to meet the devil, the narrator might be exploring themes of inner conflict, moral dilemmas, or the human tendency to confront their darkest fears. Paul Williams, known for his introspective and often poignant songwriting, uses this encounter to delve into deeper psychological and existential questions, making the song a thought-provoking piece on the nature of evil and human courage.