About The Song
“Take the Devil” appears as the second track on the Eagles’ self-titled debut album, released on June 1, 1972, by Asylum Records. Produced by Glyn Johns at Olympic Studios in London during February 1972 sessions, the song runs 4:04 and showcases Randy Meisner’s lead vocals and prominent bass line, with Bernie Leadon on guitar and banjo, Glenn Frey on slide guitar, and Don Henley on drums. It was never released as a single and carried no independent chart position, though the album peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 and earned gold certification.
Written entirely by Randy Meisner, it was his first original composition and lead vocal contribution to a major Eagles project. The track delivers a brooding, heavy rock feel with restless urgency, standing apart from the album’s better-known country-rock singles.
Lyrically, it offers a direct plea to break free from inner darkness: “Open up your eyes / Take the devil from your mind / He’s been holding on to you / And you’re so hard to find.” The verses evoke cold winds, a restless soul tempted to run, and the persistent shadow of temptation: “The devil preys on runaways / He’s never far behind.” A repeated chorus hammers the message—“Take the devil / Take the devil / From your mind”—while seeking guidance and restraint: “God, will you lead me where I roam? / Help me not to let my feelings show.” The song frames the devil as an internal force that must be cast out before it claims its hold.
A key production detail elevated the track’s importance. Glyn Johns had been skeptical after the band’s live show in Boulder, Colorado, but changed his mind during a Los Angeles rehearsal when the group performed the song acoustically with all four voices harmonizing over guitar. He later recalled: “There it was, the sound. Extraordinary blend of voices, wonderful harmony sound, just stunning.” This moment secured his commitment to produce the album and helped define the Eagles’ vocal signature.
it is “a mover which shows how fast and far the Eagles can go once they reach full flight” and praised the “really nice” vocals and lyrics. The song was never performed live by the band and remains a deep cut, yet it endures on reissues and playlists as a raw snapshot of their early range and Meisner’s songwriting voice.
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Lyric
Take the devil from my back
Take the devil from my soul
Take the devil from my mind
Before he takes controlI’ve been down so long
Feels like my soul is gone
Give me strength to carry on
Lead me to the lightTake the devil from my back
Take the devil from my soul
Take the devil from my mind
Before he takes controlLord, I’ve tried so hard
To walk the narrow road
But the devil keeps on callin’
Pullin’ at my loadTake the devil from my back
Take the devil from my soul
Take the devil from my mind
Before he takes control