If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)

"If the Devil Danced " is a song written by Ken Spooner and Kim Williams, and recorded by American country music singer Joe Diffie. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was released in April 1991 as the third single from his debut album, A Thousand Winding Roads.

Music video

The music video was directed by Michael Salomon and premiered in early 1991.

Critical reception

Cashbox magazine published a positive review of the song, stating that it "focuses on a much lighter storyline, compared to previous releases. This cut humorously sheds a 'devil-made-me-do-it' theme swallowed up by a fun and bouncy tempo."

Chart performance

The song debuted at No. 47 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart dated April 6, 1991. It charted for 20 weeks on that chart, and peaked at No. 1 on the country chart dated June 15, 1991, giving Diffie his second No. 1 single.

Other versions

Koe Wetzel and Jack Ingram covered the song on Hardy's 2024 mixtape, Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape.