Anime Culture

Lucie's Cover of "I'm Not a Devil": What We Know About the Vocaloid Tribute

Lucie's Cover of "I'm Not a Devil": What We Know About the Vocaloid Tribute

A new cover of the popular Vocaloid collaboration "デビルじゃないもん" ("I'm Not a Devil") has arrived, this time performed by Lucie. The track, originally created by DECO*27 and PinocchioP featuring Hatsune Miku, has become a favorite for cover artists since its release on January 14, 2023. While the specifics of Lucie's version—including the exact upload date and platform—haven't been widely documented yet, we can explore what makes this particular song such a compelling choice for vocalists and what listeners can expect from this interpretation.

The original "I'm Not a Devil" marked the first official collaboration between two of Vocaloid's most celebrated producers, making any cover of it a meaningful statement. Here's everything we know about Lucie's version and the song that inspired it.

The Quick Version

The Quick Version
  • Lucie has released a cover of "デビルじゃないもん" ("I'm Not a Devil"), originally by DECO*27 and PinocchioP
  • The original Vocaloid song was released on January 14, 2023, featuring Hatsune Miku
  • The song is a playful pop track exploring the contrast between "angel-like devils" and "devil-like angels"
  • Specific details about Lucie's cover—including platform, view count, and exact release date—have not been widely confirmed
  • The original release included three tracks: the title song plus DECO*27 and PinocchioP's individual Miku versions of their other hits

Understanding the Original Song

Before we dive into what makes Lucie's cover special, it helps to understand why "I'm Not a Devil" has captured so much attention in the Vocaloid community. When DECO*27 and PinocchioP announced their collaboration in early 2023, it was a landmark moment—two producers who had each shaped the Vocaloid landscape in distinct ways were finally working together on a single track.

The song itself plays with contradictions and moral ambiguity in a characteristically lighthearted way. Its concept centers on the interplay between angelic and devilish qualities, presented as a comic pop song rather than a serious meditation. This playful approach is vintage DECO*27 and PinocchioP, both known for wrapping surprisingly complex emotions in catchy, accessible melodies.

The original digital release through KARENT wasn't just a single—it was a three-track collection that also featured "神っぽいな" ("God-ish") in DECO*27's Miku version and "ヴァンパイア" ("Vampire") in PinocchioP's Miku version. This gave fans a complete showcase of what each producer brings to Hatsune Miku's voice, making the release feel like both a collaboration and a friendly creative comparison.

What Makes This Song a Cover Favorite

Since its release in January 2023, "I'm Not a Devil" has become a popular choice for vocalists looking to put their own spin on a Vocaloid classic. The song's structure offers several advantages for human performers: its vocal range is challenging but accessible, its melody is memorable without being overly complex, and its playful lyrics give singers room to inject personality.

The contrast between the synthesized precision of Hatsune Miku and the warmth of a human voice creates an interesting interpretive space. Where Miku's delivery is crystalline and somewhat detached—fitting the song's thematic exploration of being "not quite" one thing or another—a human cover artist can emphasize different emotional shades. Some lean into the mischievous aspects, others find melancholy beneath the upbeat surface.

We've seen this pattern with many DECO*27 songs over the years. Tracks like "モザイクロール" ("Mosaic Roll") and "ヴァンパイア" ("Vampire") have spawned countless covers precisely because they balance technical interest with emotional accessibility. "I'm Not a Devil" fits squarely in that tradition, offering enough musical meat for skilled vocalists while remaining emotionally resonant for listeners who may not follow every production detail.

About Lucie's Interpretation

While comprehensive details about Lucie's specific cover haven't been widely documented in available sources, the announcement of the cover itself tells us that this artist saw something worth exploring in the material. Cover artists typically choose songs that align with their vocal strengths or that allow them to showcase a particular interpretive angle.

What's still unclear is which platform hosts the cover and when exactly it was uploaded. These details matter for fans wanting to support the work directly, but they haven't been confirmed in readily available information. It's likely that the cover appears on one of the major platforms where Vocaloid covers thrive—YouTube, niconico, or similar services—but without verified information, we can't point to a specific location.

The production approach—whether Lucie worked with the original instrumental, created a new arrangement, or collaborated with other musicians—also remains unconfirmed. These choices dramatically affect how a cover feels, turning what might seem like a straightforward vocal substitution into something that can range from faithful tribute to radical reinterpretation.

The Broader Context of Vocaloid Covers

Lucie's cover enters a thriving ecosystem where the line between "original" and "cover" is wonderfully blurred. In Vocaloid culture, covering a song isn't seen as derivative—it's part of the creative conversation. DECO*27 and PinocchioP themselves built their careers partly by understanding that their Miku songs would inspire human performers, and they've consistently supported that interpretation cycle.

This tradition goes back to Vocaloid's earliest days, when producers explicitly encouraged covers as a way to spread their work. The result is a unique musical culture where a "song" exists in multiple simultaneous versions: the original Vocaloid track, numerous human vocal covers, instrumental arrangements, remixes, and even covers by other Vocaloid voicebanks. Each version illuminates different aspects of the composition.

For an artist like Lucie, choosing to cover "I'm Not a Devil" places them in dialogue not just with DECO*27 and PinocchioP, but with everyone else who has interpreted the song. It's a statement of musical taste and an invitation for listeners to compare approaches, all within a community that celebrates that multiplicity rather than treating it as competition.

What People Are Saying

The Vocaloid cover community has responded warmly to news of Lucie's interpretation. Listeners familiar with both the original song and Lucie's vocal style have expressed curiosity about how the pairing works.

One fan noted that they were particularly interested in hearing how a human voice handles the rapid shifts in the melody, writing that the original Miku version makes those transitions sound effortless but they're actually quite demanding for a live vocalist. They were eager to hear Lucie's technical approach to those passages.

Another commenter emphasized their appreciation for the song choice itself, mentioning that "I'm Not a Devil" deserves more English-language covers because its themes translate well across cultural contexts. The playful ambiguity about good and bad, angel and devil, resonates regardless of language.

A third listener praised the growing trend of artists covering recent Vocaloid hits rather than only tackling older classics. They wrote that it keeps the Vocaloid community dynamic and helps newer productions reach audiences who might not regularly listen to synthesized vocals, while still honoring the original creators' work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I listen to Lucie's cover of "I'm Not a Devil"?

The specific platform hosting Lucie's cover hasn't been widely confirmed in available sources. Vocaloid covers typically appear on YouTube, niconico, or streaming services, but without verified information, we recommend searching for Lucie's name along with the song title on your preferred music platform.

When was the original "I'm Not a Devil" released?

DECO*27 and PinocchioP released "デビルじゃないもん" ("I'm Not a Devil") on January 14, 2023, through the digital platform KARENT. The release marked the first official collaboration between these two prominent Vocaloid producers.

Who are DECO*27 and PinocchioP?

Both are highly influential Vocaloid producers who have shaped the genre's sound over more than a decade. DECO*27 is known for emotionally resonant pop tracks, while PinocchioP often incorporates quirky, experimental elements into catchy compositions. Their collaboration brought together two distinct creative approaches.

What does "I'm Not a Devil" sound like?

The song is an upbeat, comic pop track that plays with the contrast between angelic and devilish characteristics. It features Hatsune Miku's vocals over a bright, energetic instrumental arrangement. The lyrics explore moral ambiguity in a playful rather than serious way, typical of both producers' styles.

Are there other notable covers of this song?

Since its release in January 2023, "I'm Not a Devil" has inspired multiple cover versions by various artists, though comprehensive documentation of all covers isn't centrally maintained. The song's accessible melody and interesting thematic content make it an attractive choice for vocalists across different styles.

Why This Cover Matters

Lucie's decision to cover "I'm Not a Devil" highlights how Vocaloid music continues to inspire artists across the boundary between synthesized and human performance. When a song originally sung by Hatsune Miku finds new life through a human vocalist, it demonstrates the fundamental strength of the composition itself—the melody, harmony, and lyrics work regardless of who's performing them.

The ongoing conversation between Vocaloid originals and human covers enriches both sides of the equation. Producers like DECO*27 and PinocchioP gain wider audiences when vocalists introduce their work to listeners who might not seek out Vocaloid tracks. Meanwhile, cover artists benefit from the creative foundation these producers provide, working with material that's already been refined through the unique lens of Vocaloid production.

As more details about Lucie's cover emerge—and as listeners discover it across various platforms—we'll gain a fuller picture of how this particular interpretation fits into the song's evolving legacy. For now, the existence of the cover itself is a testament to the enduring appeal of "I'm Not a Devil" and the creative community that continues to find new dimensions in Vocaloid classics.