Evil
Mark Kozelek Lyrics


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Sad reminders of
What seems years ago
Warm southern sun shines through
Station wagon windows
Like solar energy
And when in the night
Your brother turned to me and said,
"god, do you look evil in the dark"

That made me feel good

Sad reminders of
Midwest winter snow
Cold catholic church
Heaven in stained glass windows
Like rock candy
And when on sunday
Their daughter turned at me and said,
"mom and dad, is it a boy or a girl"
"mom and dad, is it a he or a she"





That made me feel good

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Evil" by Mark Kozelek are filled with mixed emotions that revolve around two contrasting environments - the warm southern sun and the cold Midwest winter snow. The singer reflects on two instances, where they experienced sadness and joy, respectively, that seemed to be from a bygone era. The first set of lyrics evoke memories of a road trip (possibly a family vacation) that happened a long time ago. The southern sun shining through the station wagon windows is described as "solar energy," a metaphor that speaks of the warmth and happiness that the sun provides. However, the song's melancholic tone changes when the singer's brother turns towards them and remarks on how "evil" they look in the dark, which is disconcerting. Despite the eerie comment, the singer admits that it made them feel good, which is a curious contrast.


The second set of lyrics focuses on a different memory, one set in the freezing Midwest winter. The singer is inside a cold Catholic church staring up at the stained glass windows that resemble "rock candy." While this sounds beautiful, the singer speaks of it in a detached and emotionless way. The second half of the stanza describes an interaction with a family who is waiting to discover whether their child is a boy or a girl. The child turns to the singer and asks whether they are a "he or a she." The situation is bizarre and raises several questions about the singer's character and gender identity. Yet again, like the first stanza, the singer admits that this interaction made them feel "good."


Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the complicated and conflicting emotions that arise from past experiences. The singer seems to be haunted by these fleeting memories, yet they manage to evoke feelings of comfort and goodness despite their sorrowfulness.


Interesting Facts:
- Mark Kozelek is the lead singer and guitarist of the American indie rock band, Sun Kil Moon.
- Kozelek has released over 20 albums and is known for his somewhat controversial and opinionated songwriting style.
- The song "Evil" was released in 2000 as part of the album, "What's Next to the Moon," which was largely composed of AC/DC covers.
- Despite being a cover album, Kozelek's unique take on the songs garnered critical acclaim.
- Kozelek's cover of John Denver's "Around and Around" featured previously unreleased lyrics written by Denver himself.
- Mark Kozelek has collaborated with various prominent musicians, from Benji Hughes to Jimmy Lavalle.
- Kozelek has cited punk rock band Black Flag as a significant influence on his music.
- "Evil" was used in the 2001 film "Nico and Dani" directed by Cesc Gay.
- The song has been described as a poignant and heartbreaking exploration of nostalgia and regret, with Kozelek's delicate and bittersweet vocals adding to the melancholy tone.
- The chords of the song are in the key of C major, with the verses featuring a C-F-G-C progression, and the chorus using the G-F-C progression.


Line by Line Meaning

Sad reminders of
Reminders of a past that was difficult or painful.


What seems years ago
An event that has happened in the past but feels like a very long time ago.


Warm southern sun shines through
The sun shining in a warm and comforting manner during a southern drive.


Station wagon windows
The windows of the car that they are driving in on their southern drive.


Like solar energy
Comparing the warmth of the sun to solar energy.


And when in the night
A specific moment in the nighttime that the songwriter is remembering.


Your brother turned to me and said,
Someone's brother is addressing the songwriter.


"god, do you look evil in the dark"
The brother is commenting on the songwriter's appearance in the dark.


That made me feel good
The songwriter seems to be amused by the brother's comment on his appearance.


Sad reminders of
Recalling a sorrowful memory.


Midwest winter snow
Describing the weather in the midwest during winter.


Cold catholic church
A very chilly Catholic church.


Heaven in stained glass windows
Describing the beauty of the church's stained glass windows.


Like rock candy
Comparing the stained glass to luminous rock candy.


And when on sunday
A particular day of the week when this memory took place.


Their daughter turned at me and said,
Someone's daughter is addressing the songwriter.


"mom and dad, is it a boy or a girl"
The daughter is asking about the gender of a baby to her parents.


"mom and dad, is it a he or a she"
The daughter continues to inquire about the gender of a baby in her family.


That made me feel good
The songwriter seems to find some kind of pleasure in the daughter's questions as well.




Contributed by Amelia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Michi Aceret

WOW! I am so happy you got a recording of this!! I am one of the string players on here and I always wanted to hear a recording from this show! Thanks!!

Steven Fawber

I have been to so many of his shows but this show is by far the best, the strings and everything is perfect.

Judah M

Such an amazing soundscape...

caldillo_de_congrio

Quite different from the studio version, but of course, as is always the case with The Koz, in a good way. "God, do you look evil in the dark..."

The Uncouth Youth

Live-eviL

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