Marty Robbins & Merle Haggard – “Devil Woman”: The Electric Live Meeting of Two Country Giants
When you mention “Devil Woman,” the mind of any classic country music lover immediately goes to Marty Robbins‘ iconic solo version. It is a song that perfectly encapsulated his dramatic flair, his rich, controlled tenor, and his ability to tell a compelling story of obsession and peril. However, the title you’ve presented—pairing Robbins with the great Okie from Muskogee, Merle Haggard—speaks to a fascinating, electrifying moment in country music history: the magic that occurred when two legends shared a stage.
While the definitive, classic studio recording of “Devil Woman” belongs solely to Marty Robbins (a massive 1962 single that soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart and reached a notable No. 16 on the Pop chart), the duet you reference primarily exists as a treasured live performance. The search reveals that these two giants collaborated on several television specials in the late 1960s and early 1970s, notably performing together on The Ralph Emery Special in 1970, where they sang several songs, including another classic, “Today I Started Loving You Again.”
It is in these live moments, which were often captured on camera and released on various compilation albums and video archives over the years, that we get to hear Robbins and Haggard interact. The sheer stylistic difference between them is what makes these duets so compelling: Marty Robbins, the smooth, polished architect of the Nashville Sound, and Merle Haggard, the unvarnished, authentic voice of the Bakersfield Sound and working man’s country.
The Story and Meaning of “Devil Woman”
The song itself, written entirely by Marty Robbins, tells a vivid, almost cinematic tale. It’s not a gentle ballad; it’s a warning. The lyrics describe a man ensnared by a woman whose beauty masks a cold, manipulative heart—a titular “devil woman.” The mood is one of suspense and dread, a man who knows he’s walking into danger but is powerless to resist her siren call. It taps into a primal fear of destructive love, using religious and supernatural imagery to heighten the drama: “You’re a devil woman, and I’ve been told / That your lips are made of fire, and your heart is cold.”
The Live Duet’s Resonance
When Haggard joins Robbins on this song live, it’s not merely a concert rendition; it’s a melding of different generations and approaches to the same core emotions. Robbins brings the polish and drama of the classic Nashville era, while Haggard infuses the song with his distinct, reedy honesty and raw, lived-in feel. For us older listeners, witnessing this convergence is like seeing two streams of country music history flowing together. It’s a testament to the respect and camaraderie between these two incredible, individualistic artists, who, despite their different styles, shared an unparalleled ability to communicate deep, adult emotion through song. The chart success of Robbins’ solo version ensured its status as a permanent fixture, but the duets with Haggard offer a rare, intimate look at two masters at the height of their powers, enjoying the shared experience of singing a great song. It speaks to the universal language of country music: no matter the production style, the raw heartache always cuts through.