Evil Gal Blues
Aretha Franklin Lyrics


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I'm an evil gal, don't you bother with me, no
I said I'm an evil gal, don't you mess around with me, mmhmm
Well I'll empty your pockets and I'll fill you with misery, yes I will!

If you tell me good mornin'
I'm gon' tell you that's a lie
If you say hello baby I'mma give you the evil eye
I'mma evil gal, don't you mess around with me, mmhmm
I'm gonna empty your pockets and I'll fill you with misery, yes I will

I want caviar for breakfast, champagne every night,
I want a midnight snack for every man that I invite
I'm an evil gal, don't you mess around with me, no
So goodbye baby, I'm gonna set you free

Whoa if you wanna be happy, honey don't you mess around with me, yeah
I said if you wanna be happy, don't you mess around with me, no
'Cause I'll empty your pockets and I'll fill you with misery
Yeah, yeah I'm evil

Oh if you wanna be happy, don't you hang out with me, no more
I said, if you wanna be happy, honey, don't you hang out with me
You'd better not




'Cause I'll empty your pockets and I'll set you free
And I'm so jive, yes I am

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Aretha Franklin's "Evil Gal Blues" describe a woman who sees herself as a force to be reckoned with, warning potential lovers not to mess with her. She claims to be an "evil gal," and warns that she will "empty your pockets and fill you with misery." The song's narrator has a very specific idea of what she wants, the indulgences of the rich and famous, "caviar for breakfast, champagne every night" and has no qualms about using people to get it. She believes that her independence and self-reliance are what make her an "evil gal," and that anyone who tries to control her or tie her down will be met with unpleasant consequences.


The chorus of the song emphasizes that the singer's intentions are to cause harm and that anyone who chooses to get involved with her does so at their own risk. The lyrics "I'm an evil gal, don't you mess around with me, mmhmm / I'm gonna empty your pockets and I'll fill you with misery, yes, I will" are repeated throughout the song to drive home this warning. The singer recognizes that not everyone will be able to handle her, and urges those who don't want to get hurt to steer clear.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm an evil gal, don't you bother with me, no
I am a wicked woman, so you better stay away from me.


I said I'm an evil gal, don't you mess around with me, mmhmm
I repeated, I am not to be messed with because I'm evil.


Well I'll empty your pockets and I'll fill you with misery, yes I will!
I will take all your money and leave you in pain and distress.


If you tell me good mornin', I'm gon' tell you that's a lie
If you greet me in the morning, I'll contradict you since I can't be trusted.


If you say hello baby I'mma give you the evil eye
If you address me Darling, I'll stare you with hatred.


I'mma evil gal, don't you mess around with me, mmhmm
I'm a pernicious woman, so better not mess around with me.


I'm gonna empty your pockets and I'll fill you with misery, yes I will
Again, I am going to take everything away from you and leave you in problem.


I want caviar for breakfast, champagne every night,
I demand high end meals like Caviar for breakfast and champagne every night.


I want a midnight snack for every man that I invite
I additionally want to enjoy snacks at midnight with every man I invite.


I'm an evil gal, don't you mess around with me, no
Once again, I specify that I'm evil, so better not mess around me.


So goodbye baby, I'm gonna set you free
Therefore, bye love, I'm leaving you to be free of me and my evils.


Whoa if you wanna be happy, honey don't you mess around with me, yeah
If you really want to be happy, dear, you should avoid me and my wickedness, yes.


I said if you wanna be happy, don't you mess around with me, no
Again, I repeated that you shouldn't mess with me if you want to be happy.


'Cause I'll empty your pockets and I'll fill you with misery
As previously stated, I'll take your belongings and leave you to suffer.


Yeah, yeah I'm evil
Just a reiteration that I'm a bad and immoral person.


Oh if you wanna be happy, don't you hang out with me, no more
Oh, if you want happiness in your life, you shouldn't be with me anymore.


I said, if you wanna be happy, honey, don't you hang out with me
Once again, I said that you've got to leave me if you want to be happy.


You'd better not
I state that you better not stay with me.


'Cause I'll empty your pockets and I'll set you free
I reiterate that I'm going to rob you and leave you to be free.


And I'm so jive, yes I am
Finally, I added casually that I am so cool and fashionable.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LEONARD FEATHER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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