This song is about humanity's inhumanity to itself and using the Devil as a scapegoat. Everything the song mentions we did to ourselves combined with our own sense of superiority. The verses "I watched with glee as your Kings and Queens fought for ten decades for the gods they made" is a reference to the European powers fighting in the 100 years war and the mass genocide of the natives in the Americas, and "I shouted out who killed the Kennedys'? When after all it was you and me!" is a reference to Lee Harvey Oswald and SIrhan Sirhan, two people, at least in Sirhan's case, believed they were doing the right thing, and sealed it for me. People have committed horrific acts in the name of a God who said "Thou shall not murder" believing they were carrying out his will, because they had deluded themselves or some holy man standing in a pulpit deluded them.

I have been listening to this song for 50 years and it never gets old. I am so glad to see that it still grabs attention today.

Refreshing to hear a reaction by someone who gets the historical significance of the lyrics. Truly a masterpiece.

So refreshing to listen to a reaction of this song with a history buff. You nailed this. Much appreciation for you MrLboyd :)

I did a presentation in college, circa 1988, where I presented this song and explained all of the historical references and my interpretation of the overall social meanings. This was wonderful to see your reaction to each of those references. I tip my hat to you, sir!

Iron Maiden is a great source of historical metal. "Run for the Hills", "Aces High", and "The Trooper" are good places to start.

You're so right in your interpretation of the lyrics The Devil is saying "I get blamed for all of the world's evils, but I never did any of it, I just cheered it on from the sidelines as YOU did all of it"

I've always interpreted the song as the Devil saying that he was just along for the ride with all the atrocities mentioned. "I rode a tank, held a general's rank," "I watched with glee," "after all, it was you and me." We are the cause of it all.

You said you weren't confused and got it early on at one point. You are right mostly. But, your sideways look at the line about who killed the Kennedys being you and me (Lucifer) suggests you may have missed the central point. Just like the kings and queens fought over the gods they made, as humans, we like to blame our own evil deeds on the devil we made. The song was inspired by the novel The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov which is well worth a read. Great reaction!

It is very rare to see Mr. Boyd shook like this.

Mr. Boyd, I thoroughly enjoy watching your reaction videos. Your are a breath of fresh air in this crowded KZfaq genre. You have musical knowledge as well as a keen intellect with the ability to offer intelligent commentary linked to the songs to which you are reacting. I'm writing this after watching your reaction to Sympathy for the Devil. You nailed every historical reference mentioned in the lyrics. The majority of the other KZfaq reaction videos are mostly head bobbers throwing a few generic comments around with very little insight. You definitely stand head and shoulders above your competition. Excellent work!

This song is a lyrical masterpiece. History at its finest

That guitar though!! Their instrumental skills are off the chain!

This was used in the Film 'Fallen" starring Denzil Washington and John Goodman. You'd reall like it!

I love how at the end of the song where Lucifer effectively says "put some respect on my name!"

Always thought the the lines about fighting for 10 decades referred to the Hundred Years' War (mid 1300's to mid 1400's). And RIP to the brilliant Charlie Watts

A bit of trivia about the recording of this track. The line was originally just "Who killed Kennedy?" but while in the studio recording this song the band learned of Bobby Kennedy's death, and had to update the lyrics.

Point is that the "Devil" is you and me. "He is us."

i really appreciate the fact that you are well versed in history. there is an amazing content creator named Historia Civilis. I would like to see a reaction to any of his Julius Caesar videos but MOST especially, his assassination and the longest year in history. keep up the grind, i'm proud of your success.

These are definitely some of the best lyrics ever written for a pop song. They are incredibly evocative of the events in question. I mean there is some real power behind “I rode a tank I held a general’s rank, while the Blitzkrieg raged and the bodies stank.” Or the next stanza “I watched with glee hike your kings and queens, fought for ten decades for the gods they made.” So much packed into each.

It's hard to believe anyone could have heard at least three Rolling Stones songs and not heard this one. It is their best! Driving bass, Woo Woo background vocals driving through most of the song. And their live performances of it are pure energy.

i love, love, love, that you caught and understood all of the historical and biblical references. You even knew who pilot is. Very impressive sir. I now know why i always felt you to be a kindred spirit.

Love your reactions! For the moment of doubt and pain I was thinking it was the garden moment where he prayed so hard he bled and asked the lord to not send him through with it. And i live for the references XD

I guess you would like "Mother's little helpers", "You can't always get what you want" and "Out of time" by them. All three sings have really great lyrics.

This song is track 1 on the first album, Beggar's Banquet, in the greatest 4 album sequence in Rock history: Beggar's Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main Street. (Yeah, it was really controversial.)

Amazing to watch your real-time reactions as the profundity of the lyrics set in. This one is a gem. Thanks Mr. Boyd.

Takes you back to American Pie … “Oh, and as I watched him on the stage My hands were clenched in fists of rage No angel born in Hell Could break that Satan's spell”

I love watching your eyes light up as you delve into your passion of history and music! Never apologize for pausing! This is exactly what we are here for 😊

Witness the ROLLING STONES. The greatest rock and roll band there ever was, and ever will be. They created a wall of sound and thought in all their massive amount of work.

The "I lay traps for troubadours who get killed before they reach Bombay" is a reference to the old Bing Crosby / Bob Hope "Road" movies. They've got everything in there...

OMFG! You are the best! I love with all my heart the references that you can come up with! You are without a doubt one of the best people around! I will look at more videos, please be as awesome as you are in this one?

Well I'm blown away by how much you know about history but you're right this is one of the most brilliant songs of all time!!! Thank you for your insightful review I have subscribed to your channel because of this reaction.

Great rock anthem - so great. Yes brilliant and Mick Jagger at his best. Minds were blown in 1969 for sure

5:21 The funniest story I can think of from that time is that high ranking Nazis were confiscating nice cars as they went through Eastern Europe but they were specifically banned from driving one: Tatra T87. A fast and luxurious car for its time. But it had a rear mounted V8, similar engine placement as the famous Porsche 911 "widow maker", with similar "interesting" handling characteristics. The officers kept offing themselves in car accidents and they lost too many leaders to allow them to keep driving those cars. It was nick named "The Czech secret weapon" for its ability to kill off high ranking Nazi officers.

as someone who knows history i loved how you broke down each section of this song, i love this song for its lyrical content and perplexity of it all

I had never thought of a similarity with the historical nature before with this song and "American Pie." The lyrics are well constructed and performed with great emotion...another enjoyable video thank you for a fun time watching your reaction.

Content like this defines youtube. Really glad i found your channel.

I just love your reactions, thank you for posting them.

you were so in to the historical parts of this some that at 6:08 my reaction when you said you were going to try to stop stopping was "Good luck" 😇. Thanks for the vid and keep it coming.

I've always loved this song. My dad's a preacher and had a cassette of Rolling Stones songs, including those one, which would inevitably be played from time to time esp on long family car trips. My dad being the history buff that he was and being in the line of work that he's still in to this day...irony's never lacked in my family. Nowadays, my mom occasionally watches "Lucifer" w/ him.

Mr LBoyd...Superb historic breakdown of this song that I have loved for so long... Great work! Pleased to meet you!

Gotta say, your channels are fire, and your reactions, solid gold. You're on the short list, my man; keep doin' what you're doin'.

Jagger's response to Lennons "I am the walrus." Brilliant reaction. Kudos Sir.

Another great reaction. What makes them so is your vast knowledge base. Kudos sir.

I love any reaction you do. Let that intellect shine.

What an articulate and thought provoking reaction! Thank you!

The Stones were never dull. It’s a clever song.

Live and recorded versions are always different. Love how live performances are always unique!

Oh Gawd, I love your surprised historical references when you catch them. I love that you catch them

On this particular song, don’t apologize for stopping so much. There’s a LOT going on lyrically, and I was happy to see you’d done a react to this and was very interested in your take on it.

I first heard this song in the movie 'Interview with a Vampire' done by GNR. Loved it and had to listen to the original. Thanks for this

I absolutely love your reactions, especially when informed by your historical knowledge! I learn much from you. If you haven't done so, please listen to the studio version. Sounds fantastic

This is my favourite Rolling Stone song. This is the first time hearing the live version. The only thing I missed from the studio version is Keith Richards pic slide at the end of the solo.

One of your best reactions you have ever done.

One of my top Stones songs. Thnks for the History ♥️

I really enjoy listening to you and I love it that you know so much. It is impressive.

I love listening to this song because it makes people wonder about the nature of evil. What is evil, is the Devil a necessary aspect to human existence? This time specifically i remember he mention the Devil is a man of wealth and taste- clear reference to greed and vanity. Gotta listen to Paint It Black if you have not done so yet. Thank you.

You figured this out faster than any reactor has. Not even close.

I knew you'd break this down in the best way!! I looked for this one. Super interesting. Going to look and see if you've done We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel. Extreme history lesson in that one.

OMG…I love how you’re SO SMART and deep dive into this song💜🙏 The Rolling Stones, in my opinion, are THE BEST rock and roll band of all time.

apparently mick jagger wrote these lyrics after marianne faithful recommended he read "the master & margarita" by mikhail bulgakov. I recommend all read this.

First time watcher here! I love your meticulous analysis and you’re right about the song being from the perspective of the devil. He had his hand in all the violence in the world. Doesn’t matter the song was written in 1969 ~ it still applies to events today! Will continue to watch your videos!

I believe the line, ''when Jesus Christ had his moment of doubt and pain'' actually refers to a moment on the cross, when he asked, ''my god, why have you forsaken me?''

…and this song is still a highlight in their current concerts 🎶

Iron Maiden have done a few historical songs such as The Trooper, Run To The Hills, Aces High. They also reference classical literature in songs like The Rhyme of The Ancient Mariner

Seen a lot of reactions on this song, but I truly enjoyed this one in particular.... thoroughly!

Kudos to you sir. And the Band.

There’s a clip of the Stones recording this song and Mick sings “who killed Kennedy.” Either that night or the next day RFK was assassinated hence the change to “who killed the Kennedys.”

Love your objective comments. You seem to really appreciate music. I do wish we knew the artist mindset when they write songs like this.

Your a smart dude. I love all the history you know. Awesome reaction best ever to this song.

Great Review... very insightful

One of my favorite Rolling Stones songs!

Must be close to 650 now. Great insight as always.

This song is the main song in the movie “Fallen”. Denzel Washington and John Goodman. Gives the song a meaning! And I cannot listen to this song without remembering this movie. Huge impact. Please watch it!!!

He wants sympathy because Satan gets blamed for man's atrocities. The last lines are "I'll tell you one time, you're to blame."

Fellow history buff here. I was so hyped when you paused and explained each historical incident. 😎🙌

The way you went close to the mic to speak when the video was playing was a clever way to avoid having to fudge with audio levels in post :D

If you want history (and potentially a 50 minute video), check out Billy Joel's 'We didn't start the fire' (40 years of history in 3 minutes) or Dan Bull's Civilization Rap.

This song has been on my all time list for years.

First time I heard this song it was a cover , (an EDM type version I heard on a college radio station), & thought it was tight, so I played it for my mom thinking it was this new song. My mom ofc let me know that it was an old song. But I love this song, I think my fav version is one by Jane’s Addiction I found on Spotify off the Son’s of Anarchy soundtrack. The og is good ofc, but the JA version is playlist for me. I haven’t ever done a deep dive into the Stones, I’ve heard their most pop songs, but I think Sympathy 4 the devil is prob 3 after Paint it black & give me shelter. Tho those two songs always make me think of Vietnam movies/shows, but they’re def my fav.

You got it all fairly accurate. I know that you must be well studied with the history the lyrics speak of. I salute you.🙂 Check out the original studio version. The music just makes me groove. I've seen the RS 7x and this song is always played. It's been used in whole or in part in several movies. Most recently when NBC was advertising Law & Order SVU crossover series. It's also played at the end of the movie Interview With A Vampire by Anne Rice.

It really is a great one. Makes you think. Love it.

Best reaction to this tune I've seen.

great analysis

Great song explanation...thanks

This guy is one of the best reacter/reaction channel ever.

"MISS YOU." It's so different from everything else of theirs.

Your knowledge of history is impressive! I was familiar with a couple of the references but just had a vague notion of the details on others. I know this reaction is a year old but I have a few recos of other Rolling Stones songs for you if you haven't reviewed them already: "Angie", "Fool to Cry", 'Heartbreaker", "Undercover of the Night" and "Waiting on a Lady".

Love seeing young Stones

Love this video!!!!!

I appreciate an American who knows more than American history

Great tune 1000%

This guy should do professsional voice overs etc. what a talented young man!

I agree with Don saying Iron Maiden should be in the conversation as a band consistently bringing highly literate lyrics - a lot dealing with historical events. The music of the 60's and 70's is hard to beat for it's content and influence. I'm not one of those "back in my day" kind of guys, but I've always kept an open mind to any music. The Stones were a favorite of my as a kid - and I still love listening to them.

I love your history hat being on my brother! This song has a heap of meaning that many miss

Happy to see you know some history...

"I think that there were issues when this song came out," had me CACKLING. I'm only 29 but I've watched plenty of documentaries about rock/metal and heard numerous anecdotes about how rock music was perceived. I feel like you'd enjoy the movie Pirate Radio on your own time, it's a silly little British movie about rock music being illegally broadcast from ships when it was banned in the UK.

It's good to see someone react to this song that understood all the historical references made in the lyrics.

Guns and Roses did a cover of this song, it's on the Interview With The Vampire soundtrack.

Fav Stones song. No Question.