Evil
Flaming Lips Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wish I could go back
Go back in time
I wish I could go back
Back in time

I would have warned you
Those people are evil
And it's hard to understand
I never understand

I wish I could go back
Go back in time
But no one ever really can
Go back in time

Oh, I would have shown you
Those people are evil
And they'll hurt you if they can
I never understand
Understand





(It is from the embryonic)

Overall Meaning

The Flaming Lips' song "Evil" depicts the singer's regret of not warning someone about the evilness and manipulative ways of certain people. The lyrics convey the desire to turn back time and warn the person about the hurtful actions that they might face from these individuals. The repetition of the lines "I wish I could go back, go back in time" depicts the desperation and helplessness felt by the singer.


The use of the word "evil" adds a sinister tone to the song, as it suggests that the actions of these individuals are not just a result of personal flaws, but rather a premeditated attempt to cause harm to others. The line "those people are evil" is repeated multiple times throughout the song, highlighting the gravity of the situation.


The song's overall theme is a reminder to be cautious of the people we let into our lives, as we never know what their true intentions are. The singer's regret serves as a warning to listeners to be mindful of potential danger, especially when the intentions of others are unclear.


Line by Line Meaning

I wish I could go back
Regretful desire to travel back to the past


Go back in time
To reverse time and events that have occurred


I wish I could go back
Repetition to emphasize the desire to change the past


Back in time
In a time period that has already passed


I would have warned you
Expressing a hypothetical warning if given the chance


Those people are evil
Referring to a group or individual with negative traits


And it's hard to understand
The difficulty in comprehending the actions of the 'evil' people


I never understand
Expressing confusion and lack of comprehension of negative behavior


I wish I could go back
Reiterating the desire to change the past


Go back in time
Repetition of line 2


But no one ever really can
Acknowledging the impossibility of reversing time


Go back in time
Restating the desire to change the past


Oh, I would have shown you
Hypothetical action of revealing the 'evil' people to another person


Those people are evil
Repetition of line 6


And they'll hurt you if they can
Conveying a warning of the negative actions of 'evil' people


I never understand
Repetition of line 8


Understand
Reiteration of confusion and lack of comprehension of negative behavior




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ROBERTS, MATTHEW ROBERTS, MONICA MARTIN, JASON KRUNNFUSZ, ZACHARY JOHNSTON, MATTHEW HOLMEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Zimbra Undertone

"Evil"

I wish I could go back
Go back in time
I wish I could go back
Back in time

I would've warned you
Those people are evil
And it's hard to understand
I'll never understand

I wish I could go back
Go back in time
But no one ever really can
Go back in time

I would have shown you
Those people are evil
And they'll hurt you if they can
I'll never understand
Understand
I'll never understand



All comments from YouTube:

Spiros Mavrudis

this band has made some great albums. this album was unappreciated

Neil Fenton

The biggest impact from a flaming lips album for me was soft bulletin, i listened to that album over and over but i was amazed even more than the previous time i heard it..the next 2 albums didnt have the same feel or impact but this album is up there with that masterpiece

Meat Eating Orchids

One of my all time faves

Sergio Clavijo

One of the Lips finest songs imo

Rogerio Viveiros

Maravilhoso , sonzeira louca !!!!!!

Zimbra Undertone

"Evil"

I wish I could go back
Go back in time
I wish I could go back
Back in time

I would've warned you
Those people are evil
And it's hard to understand
I'll never understand

I wish I could go back
Go back in time
But no one ever really can
Go back in time

I would have shown you
Those people are evil
And they'll hurt you if they can
I'll never understand
Understand
I'll never understand

Charles M

It's as if someone put all the members of King Crimson, Pink Floyd, and the Alan Parsons Project in one recording studio and said, "Alright, guys.  Go for it."

Mep Toffelese

+Charles Morgan yeaaah buddy...thought i was having a flashback!!

Gary Rouyea

I have no clue why but this reminds me of CAN

1 More Replies...

Claude Alain

il y a des avis très contrastés sur cet album, il est vrai, hétérogène... moi, je l'aime vraiment et c'est celui que je préfère derrière le monumental "The Terror" dont il est un peu le brouillon... mais qu'importent tous nos avis!... ce que je vois, ce sont des mecs de 50 balais qui, après 30 ans de carrière, innovent, cherchent, se remettent en cause et je trouve ça admirable... ce qui compte, d'ailleurs, ce n'est pas tant le fait de "trouver" mais de chercher, encore et encore...

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