Ben Edmonds, in his review of Mongrel, called "Lucifer" "easily the strongest cut on the record, and a great song in its own right.
It's simple, straightforward rock: the band (especially the organ) shows a clear comprehension of the song's rhythmical movement.
According to the "Lost Venues - Detroit" Website, December, 1968 the Bob Seger System played at the teen nightclub Something Different in Southfield, Michigan—one of many metropolitan Detroit teen nightclubs the band's manager, Punch Andrews operated.
Bob is defending himself (and possibly the band) against those who would disparage him (and his hard-driving musical style) with such a harsh nickname: "You can call me 'Lucifer' if you think you should [but] I know I'm [a] good [musician (and person)]."
Cash Box called it "one of [Seger's] live appearance favorites filled with a driving rhythm and searing vocal.