Heaven Nor Hell

Album: Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song tells the story of a man who makes a Faustian deal, selling his soul to the Devil. There's a twist though: he steals it back, and goes in debt to the Devil.

    The absurd scenario is a commentary on religion, as the man has created this in his own mind. "It's a song that tells people to believe in themselves instead of using anything else as a crutch," Volbeat frontman Michael Poulsen, said in his Songfacts interview. "The Devil is something that we create in our own mind - that's how it exists. And God, I don't know anything about that - He hasn't shown himself in all the time people have been talking about him."
  • Henrik Hall of the band Love Shop plays the mouth harp on this track.

Comments: 3

  • Bottle10 from OklahomaEven though I am Religious I believe his songs have a catchy tune, but to the people saying no one can prove God is real, my answer is short, you can’t prove He isn’t, seeing isn’t believing even then He’s in everything beautiful we see, including ourselves, it’s all about having Faith and Not giving into the devil and sin, and even though you do sin God still forgives you, as long as you don’t reject him and keep dwelling/bathing in that sin.
  • Therese Christensen from IowaVolbeat has long been my favorite band. Michael Poulsen is a genius with his words. And very correct in his explanation of this song. We create our own hell, and believe in some one no one can prove is real.
  • Brenda Futrell from OklahomaThis is my favorite song. The first time I heard it I became addicted to Volbeat!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.