"Lucifer" is a song written by

Bob Seger Robert Clark Seger ( ; born May 6, 1945) is a retired American singer, songwriter, and musician. As a locally successful Detroit-area artist, he performed and recorded with the groups Bob Seger and the Last Heard and the Bob Seger System throu ...

featured on the album ''

Mongrel A mongrel, mutt, or mixed-breed dog is a dog that does not belong to one officially recognized breed, including those that result from intentional breeding. Although the term ''mixed-breed dog'' is sometimes preferred, many mongrels have no kn ...

''. It reached #84 on the Pop Singles chart in 1970. Many Seger fans consider this to be one of Seger's best. Ben Edmonds, in his review of ''Mongrel'', called "Lucifer" "easily the strongest cut on the record, and a great song in its own right. It's simple, straightforward rock: the band (especially the organ) shows a clear comprehension of the song's rhythmical movement."Ben Edmonds reviews Mongrel
/ref> The Bob Seger System performed this song on the TV show Upbeat, which was a syndication of musical performances taped at the WEWS studios in Cleveland, Ohio, with host Don Webster. In 2009, a clip of the song was used in the sixth-season finale of ''

Entourage An entourage () is an informal group or band of people who are closely associated with a (usually) famous, notorious, or otherwise notable individual. The word can also refer to: Arts and entertainment * L'entourage, French hip hop / rap collecti ...

'', episode "Give a Little Bit." In 2021, "Lucifer" was covered by

Deep Purple Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal music, heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has varied throughout their career. Originally for ...

, on their album,

Turning to Crime ''Turning to Crime'' is the twenty-second album by English rock band Deep Purple. Released on 26 November 2021, it is composed entirely of covers, and is the last Deep Purple album to feature guitarist Steve Morse before he left the band in July ...

Writing

According to the "Lost Venues - Detroit" Website, December, 1968 the Bob Seger System played at the teen nightclub Something Different in Southfield, Michigan—one of many metropolitan Detroit teen nightclubs the band's manager, Punch Andrews operated. March 21 and 22, 1969 Albert King played at the same venue. April, 1969 the Bob Seger System released ''Ramblin' Gamblin' Man''. June 7, 1969 the Bob Seger System returned to Something Different. August, 1970 the album ''Mongrel'' was released, which included "Lucifer". Besides making a reference to Albert King's "Crosscut Saw" from 1966, Seger refers back to the ''

Ramblin' Gamblin' Man ''Ramblin' Gamblin' Man'' is the first studio album by American rock band the Bob Seger System, released in 1969. The original title was ''Tales of Lucy Blue'', hence the cover art. In the liner notes, Bob Seger says (sarcastically) he later re ...

'' album multiple times: *"Ramblin', Gamblin', Lovin', Shovin'" *"Lucy Blue, Chicago Green, I'll love 'em 'til they thaw" Lucy Blue and Chicago Green are both characters who appear on ''RGM''. Lucy Blue is seen in "Tales of Lucy Blue," and Chicago Green appears in "Down Home". Rather than be an ode to darkness, the song "Lucifer" is a defense. Bob is defending himself (and possibly the band) against those who would disparage him (and his hard-driving musical style) with such a harsh nickname: "You can call me 'Lucifer' if you think you should utI know I'm good usician (and person)"

Reception

Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', is an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' called it "one of eger'slive appearance favorites filled with a driving rhythm and searing vocal."

Chart performance

References

1970 singles Bob Seger songs Capitol Records singles Songs written by Bob Seger Song recordings produced by Punch Andrews {{1970s-rock-song-stub