Introduction and Short Summary of the Song
Released in 1979 as the title track of Kris Kristofferson’s seventh studio album Shake Hands with the Devil, this song is one of his starkest and most confrontational works. Unlike his romantic ballads or narrative-driven outlaw stories, “Shake Hands with the Devil” wrestles directly with themes of sin, temptation, and the uneasy compromises people make in pursuit of survival or success. With a blunt lyrical style and Kristofferson’s trademark gravelly delivery, the song stands as both confession and critique, exposing the ways in which ordinary people—and even the songwriter himself—become complicit in the darker realities of life.
Origins of the Song
By the late 1970s, Kris Kristofferson had already lived several artistic lives. He was a respected songwriter whose work had been recorded by Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, and Ray Price; he had also become a successful recording artist in his own right and had launched a parallel career as a Hollywood actor. But while outwardly successful, this was also a turbulent time in his personal life. His marriage to Rita Coolidge was unraveling, and he was grappling with disillusionment after years of fame and industry pressures.
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It was in this climate that Kristofferson wrote Shake Hands with the Devil. The title track reflects both his personal struggles and his broader worldview, shaped by a deep skepticism about power, compromise, and the human condition. The song was recorded in Nashville with a full band, blending outlaw country with elements of rock, in keeping with the era’s stylistic shifts.
Why Kris Kristofferson Released “Shake Hands with the Devil”
Kristofferson chose to release “Shake Hands with the Devil” as the album’s title track because it encapsulated the mood and message of the record as a whole. The late 1970s found him writing less about romantic love and more about moral compromise, disillusionment, and survival in a harsh world.
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By naming the entire album after the song, Kristofferson signaled its central importance. He was acknowledging that the compromises of life—whether in politics, relationships, or personal struggles—often feel like making deals with forces we know to be destructive. For an artist who valued honesty above all, releasing such a song was a way to confront those uncomfortable truths head-on.
The Message Conveyed in the Song
The message of “Shake Hands with the Devil” is stark: to live in the world is to compromise, and compromise often means aligning oneself, however unwillingly, with destructive forces. The “devil” in the song can be read in multiple ways: as literal evil, as temptation, as corruption, or as the compromises required by survival.
Key themes include:
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Temptation and Compromise: Life often demands that people sacrifice ideals or integrity.
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Moral Ambiguity: The song does not present a simple division between good and evil but instead highlights the gray areas where people make painful choices.
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Confession and Critique: The narrator admits his own complicity while also critiquing a society built on hypocrisy.
Kristofferson’s weary vocal delivery reinforces the song’s themes, making it sound less like an abstract observation and more like a personal confession.
The Recording and Musical Characteristics
Musically, “Shake Hands with the Devil” reflects the darker tone of its subject matter.
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Vocals: Kristofferson’s gravelly voice delivers the lyrics with resignation and gravity, underscoring the song’s message of weary acceptance.
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Instrumentation: The arrangement includes electric guitar, bass, and steady percussion, creating a sound that leans toward country-rock while retaining Kristofferson’s folk roots.
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Mood: Dark, somber, and slightly ominous, the mood mirrors the lyrical focus on moral compromise.
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Style: A blend of outlaw country and folk-rock, marked by Kristofferson’s emphasis on lyrics and storytelling.
The production keeps the instrumentation relatively lean, ensuring that the weight of the words remains at the center of the listener’s attention.
Cultural and Commercial Impact
Commercially, Shake Hands with the Devil was not a major success compared to Kristofferson’s earlier records. By the end of the 1970s, his music was less prominent on the charts, as the outlaw country movement evolved and new voices gained prominence. However, the song contributed to his reputation as a fearless songwriter who would not shy away from uncomfortable or controversial themes.
Culturally, “Shake Hands with the Devil” resonated with fans who admired Kristofferson’s honesty and grit. It reflected the disillusionment of the late 1970s, when both political scandals and shifting cultural values left many feeling betrayed or compromised. For those listeners, the song’s message of moral ambiguity felt particularly timely.
Legacy of “Shake Hands with the Devil”
Today, “Shake Hands with the Devil” stands as one of Kristofferson’s darker and more confessional works. While it may not be as widely remembered as “Help Me Make It Through the Night” or “Me and Bobby McGee,” it is valued by fans who appreciate the depth and honesty of his later 1970s songwriting.
For Kristofferson’s legacy, the song underscores his role as a songwriter willing to confront the shadows as well as the light. He did not shy away from themes of temptation, compromise, and hypocrisy, even when they were unflattering or difficult. In this sense, “Shake Hands with the Devil” reflects his broader artistic philosophy: to tell the truth, even when it is uncomfortable.
More broadly, the song fits within the outlaw country tradition of challenging norms and refusing to sugarcoat reality. It shows Kristofferson at his most uncompromising, unafraid to expose both societal flaws and his own.
More than four decades after its release, “Shake Hands with the Devil” endures as a reminder of Kristofferson’s fearless honesty. It may not be one of his commercial hits, but it remains one of his most revealing and thematically powerful songs—a confession, a critique, and a warning wrapped into one.