In today's world, Friend of the Devil has become a topic of great relevance and interest to people of all ages and areas of expertise. Since its emergence, Friend of the Devil has captured the attention of individuals and experts alike, generating debates, research and analysis around its implications and repercussions in different areas. In this article, we will explore in depth the most relevant aspects related to Friend of the Devil, from its origin to its possible future projections. We will analyze its impact on society, its influence on culture and its importance in the academic field, with the aim of offering a comprehensive and updated vision of this topic that is so significant today.
The song was introduced in concert on March 20, 1970 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. Following the group's October 1974-June 1976 touring hiatus, the song was performed in a significantly slower arrangement with extended guitar and keyboard solos. Loggins and Messina, whose version of the song was slowed down, might have inspired the Dead to do the same. In more recent history, Phil Lesh and Friends have performed a more uptempo version similar to the original.
Hunter plays a slightly different version on his album (released only in LP format) Jack O'Roses. He adds a final verse:
"You can borrow from the Devil/
You can borrow from a friend/
But the Devil'll give you twenty/
When your friend got only ten"
During their 1994 Bridge School Benefit set Ministry played the song. A live recording from the show can be found on the 1997 compilation The Bridge School Concerts, Vol. 1.
Bob Dylan and Tom Petty also both have covered the song in concert, including Petty's 1997 rendition of the track available on his album The Live Anthology and his live performance at 2013's Hangout Festival. A live version of Dylan's was released on Stolen Roses (Songs Of The Grateful Dead).
In 2002, Norway's top country-rock band, Hellbillies covered the song on their live album Cool Tur (Cool Tour). The song was performed with Norwegian lyrics by Arne Moslåtten and is known as "Hinnmann og eg" ("The devil and I" in English).
In 2003, Counting Crows included a slower-tempo cover of the song on their compilation album Films About Ghosts. While reproducing the acoustic riff, the Counting Crows version also adds electric keyboard and guitar instrumentation at about midway through the song. The band covered the song again on their 2013 live album Echoes of the Outlaw Roadshow.