The Devil’s Been Busy might be one of the lesser known Traveling WIlbury tracks, but I’m a big fan of it – just as I am of nearly everything they released. The subject matter is both clever and unsettling. The song puts a a spin on the title phrase, using the devil as a stand-in for all the reckless things humans do – especially to the planet.
The first half points a finger at those dumping toxic waste and poisoning the environment, all while folks above ground carry on playing golf, blissfully unaware of the damage beneath their feet. Then the song shifts gears, turning the lens inward to look at human nature itself – our tendency toward violence, cruelty, and looking the other way. The Devil’s Been Busy is a social critique (how the devil’s work is often done through everyday injustice), but dressed in jangly guitars and Wilbury wit.
The Devil’s Been Busy comes from the group’s second and final studio album Volume 3. Yes, they skipped Volume 2. Jeff Lynne said “That was George’s idea’. – ‘Let’s confuse the buggers‘. After Roy Orbison’s passing, the group gathered at a private house they dubbed “Camp Wilbury“, in Bel Air, Los Angeles. The remaining 4 members adopted new pseudonyms for Vol. 3 – Spike (George Harrison), Clayton (Jeff Lynne), Muddy (Tom Petty) and Boo (Bob Dylan).
Below the studio release (at the end of this post) is a fascinating little ‘official’ piece about the song’s making. Thought I’d seen just about all the George Harrison and Traveling Wilbury videos. Really great stuff here!
[Verse 1, Tom Petty]
While you’re strolling down the fairway
Showing no remorse
Glowing from the poisons
They’ve sprayed on your golf course
While you’re busy sinking birdies
And keeping your scorecard
[Chorus, All]
The devil’s been busy in your backyard
[Verse 2, George Harrison]
Steaming down the highway
With your trucks of toxic waste
Where you gonna hide it
Maybe outer space?
You don’t know what you’re doing
Or what you have to guard
[Chorus, All]
The devil’s been busy in your backyard
[Bridge, Bob Dylan]
Sometimes you think you’re crazy
But you know you’re only mad
Sometimes you’re better off not knowing
How much you’ve been had
[Verse 3, Bob Dylan]
You see your second cousin
Wasted in a fight
You say he had it coming
He couldn’t do it right
You’re in a western movie
Playing the part
[Chorus, All]
The devil’s been busy in your backyard
[Sitar Solo]
[Bridge, Bob Dylan]
Sometimes they say you’re wicked
But you know that can’t be bad
Sometimes you’re better off not knowing
It’ll only make you sad
[Verse 4, Jeff Lynne]
They’re coming down piccadilly
Dripping at the dosh
Arresting Sticky Willy
Clubbing him with their cosh
They just might not have noticed
They’ve been hitting him so hard
[Outro, All]
The devil’s been busy in your backyard
The devil’s been busy in your backyard
The devil’s been busy in your backyard
References:
1. Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3 – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Not sure I had heard “The Devil’s Been Busy,” though the chorus sounded vaguely familiar. In any case, it’s a great song. Also a good reminder of the Traveling Wilburys. I’ve always liked the group but it’s been a while I’ve listened to their music!
I love the lyrics here and what they represent. Reminiscent of the Stones’ ‘Sympathy For the Devil’ irony. Also the melody and vocals are top notch. I don’t think they made a bad song.
Hadn’t heard this track. Enjoyed it. thanks.
It’s one of their lesser known songs, but I’ve always liked it a lot.