I've got me a badge
A bright shiny badge
I'm painting the crest in yellow and blue

I've got me a club
An exclusive club
It doesn't include a place for you

Hey…..hello neighbour
Hey…..hello neighbour, right you are

It's in the way that you walk
All of the changes, all the mistakes
In the demands you constantly make

It's in the way that you grieve
All of the loss
You don't know when you're better off
Or at what cost
You've got it good

The banality of evil

Benevolent mother
Smother the child
The benefactors are in denial

Hey…..hello neighbour
Hey…..hello neighbour, right you are

There was a time
Not so long ago
I was master of everything I surveyed
Yes, there was a time
We did it my way
We'll do things my way

Benevolent mother
Smother the child
The perpetrators are in denial

The banality of evil

King of the castle
Room at the top
Off with their heads
Chop ‘em off

The banality of evil

Benevolent mother
Smother the child
The benefactors are in denial

The banality of evil

King of the castle
Room at the top
Off with their heads
Chop ‘em off

Hey…..hello neighbour

I don't believe in what you believe
You skin is filthy
And your gods don't look like god to me

But I want to touch you
Now that isn't right
No, that can't be right
But I want to touch you
You're leading me on I know it

Hey…

King of the castle
More room at the top
All sorts allowed
Now the gloves are off

Hey….hello neighbour

Benevolent mother
Smother the child
The benefactors are in denial

The banality of evil

King of the castle
Room at the top
Off with their heads
Chop ‘em off

The banality of evil

Benevolent mother
Smother the child
The perpetrators are in denial

The banality of evil

King of the castle
Room at the top
Off with their heads
Chop ‘em off

The banality of evil

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Banality of Evil" by Nine Horses are an exploration of power, privilege, and the consequences of it. The first few lines of the song talk about the singer having a "badge" and a "club" that exclude others. This could refer to anything from a literal badge and club to metaphorical ones, like social status or wealth. The line "It doesn't include a place for you" emphasizes the power dynamic at play, where the singer is able to exclude others from their elite status.

The chorus of the song, "The banality of evil," refers to the idea that evil acts are often committed by ordinary people in positions of power. This concept was famously explored by political theorist Hannah Arendt, who used the phrase to describe how Nazis in Germany were able to commit atrocities by simply following orders and not questioning their actions. The lyrics of the song suggest that this banality of evil is still present today and is perpetuated by those in power denying their role in perpetuating inequality and injustice.

The verses of the song touch on various themes related to power and privilege. The lines "It's in the way that you walk / All of the changes, all the mistakes / In the demands you constantly make" could be interpreted as referring to how those in power often demand that others conform to their expectations and standards, while being unwilling to change themselves. The lines "Benevolent mother / Smother the child / The benefactors are in denial" describe a situation where those who are supposed to be helping others are actually stifling them, while the "benefactors" (i.e. those who benefit from the oppression) deny that there is a problem.

Overall, "The Banality of Evil" is a powerful commentary on how power can corrupt and how those in positions of privilege often deny their role in perpetuating injustice.

Line by Line Meaning

I've got me a badge
I have a symbol of authority

A bright shiny badge
It is conspicuously attractive

I'm painting the crest in yellow and blue
I'm marking my territory with colors

I've got me a club
I belong to an exclusive group

An exclusive club
It is not open to everyone

It doesn't include a place for you
You're not welcome here

Hey…..hello neighbour
I acknowledge you as my neighbor

Hey…..hello neighbour, right you are
I'm being polite, but I don't really care

It's in the way that you walk
There's something about your behavior

All of the changes, all the mistakes
The things that are wrong with you

In the demands you constantly make
Your expectations are unreasonable

It's in the way that you grieve
Your reaction to loss is suspect

All of the loss
What you've lost is not significant

You don't know when you're better off
You're not aware of what's good for you

Or at what cost
You're blind to the consequences

You've got it good
You should be grateful

The banality of evil
There's something sinister in your normality

Benevolent mother
A mother who means well

Smother the child
She's overwhelming her child with affection

The benefactors are in denial
Those who think they're doing good are wrong

There was a time
I used to be in control

Not so long ago
It wasn't that far in the past

I was master of everything I surveyed
I called all the shots

Yes, there was a time
I miss that time

We did it my way
Things were done according to my will

We'll do things my way
I want to regain control

The perpetrators are in denial
Those who are doing wrong are lying

King of the castle
I'm in charge

Room at the top
There's space for more power

Off with their heads
Get rid of those who resist

Chop ‘em off
Violent removal of opposition

I don't believe in what you believe
We have different ideologies

You skin is filthy
Your appearance is offensive to me

And your gods don't look like god to me
Your concept of divinity is wrong

But I want to touch you
I have an inappropriate desire for you

Now that isn't right
I know that it's wrong

No, that can't be right
I'm struggling with my impulses

You're leading me on I know it
You're playing with my emotions

More room at the top
I want to expand my power

All sorts allowed
I'll let anyone join me

Now the gloves are off
I'll use any means necessary

The banality of evil
Normalized evil is still dangerous