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Above Us All the Devil Is Laughing

by Robbie Thompson

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1.
Above Us All the Devil Is Laughing 04:50
lyrics
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I came down to the South of the city, Took this room with a view, Trying to get a bit of anonymity, While I thought the whole thing through. Looking back, whole thing was madness, But above us all, there’s a devil that’s laughing. And like the smile of some aspiring actor, I see through it all, to the devil that’s laughing. I see Irina’s latest self portrait, Make it into the frame, And all her exhibitions, Currently on display. Like Narcissus, and his pool of blackness Above us all, the devil is laughing. Like some socialite Parisian in a black dress, Above us all, the devil is laughing. Sinking Rainey, he’s sunk, Fumbling and drunk, Stumbling past a beggar Shaking an empty cup, He says ‘the poverty of man is natural disaster, Above us all, the devil is laughing. At the end of it all, what’s it matter? Above it all, he’s up there laughing.’ But me I’m here getting settled, Trying to keep it on the level, Turned my back on the lord, Never accepted the devil. I’m here, fighting my war, battle by battle, Knowing above it all, the devil is laughing. And I’ll die, fighting this war, battle by battle, Knowing above it all, the devil was laughing.

about

Above Us All the Devil Is Laughing is Robbie Thompson’s first solo recording to feature a full band. It’s a visceral rock ‘n’ roll stomper, which sonically is a departure from Robbie's solo output to date, but lyrically stems from his characteristic reflections on the human condition.

Speaking of the single, Robbie says:

"Above Us All the Devil Is Laughing contemplates the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life’s daily battles, whilst being hopelessly aware that we can’t possibly win the war. Death, absurdity, late capitalism, chance and time are coming for all of us.

But maybe winning the war was never the point; maybe the real purpose is to find meaning and connection in each battle, and that we might have more compassion for ourselves in all of it. Human beings are inherently flawed in so many ways, and thank god that is the case, otherwise we would have none of the compassion, warmth or humour that gets us through."

credits

released September 20, 2019

Music and lyrics by Thompson, arrangements by Thompson, Hunter, Stocks, & Galton.

Performed by
Robbie Thompson - Vocals, Guitar
Rich Hunter - Drums
Will Stocks - Bass Guitar
Tom Galton - Lead Guitar
James Ewan Tait - Additional Guitar Noise

Produced by Brett Womersley
Mixed by Brett Womersley and Will Stocks
Mastered by Tom Woodhead at Hippocratic Mastering

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Pigeon Hands Sheffield, UK

Pigeon Hands is an independent record label and promoter with ties to an analogue recording studio in Sheffield.

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