evil
Red House Painters 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 mid-west 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 to Red House Painters' song "Evil" evoke feelings of nostalgia and contemplation about the past. The first stanza paints a picture of a warm, sunny day in a station wagon with friends, but then takes a dark turn when the singer's friend comments on how evil they look in the dark. This line could be interpreted in many ways - perhaps the friend is teasing or complimenting the singer, but it could also imply that the singer has a dark side they keep hidden. The second stanza describes a cold winter day in a church, with the singer again reflecting on a moment when someone made them feel good - this time, a young girl asking about the gender of a child. The lyrics suggest a sense of loneliness and isolation, as the singer seems to derive comfort from these brief connections even though they are tinged with sadness.


One possible interpretation of the song is that the singer is struggling with their identity and seeking connection with others in a world that feels hostile or unaccepting. The references to Catholicism and gender suggest that they may be questioning societal norms and expectations. The repeated phrase "that made me feel good" adds a layer of ambiguity - are these moments truly positive, or is the singer finding emotional solace in situations that are uncomfortable or upsetting? The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and sadness, with the singer searching for meaning and connection in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving.


Line by Line Meaning

Sad reminders of what seems years ago
Reflecting on past memories that are now distant and faded


Warm southern sun shines through
Describing a pleasant and inviting atmosphere


Station wagon windows like solar energy
Drawing a comparison between car windows and a renewable energy source


And when in the night your brother turned to me
Recalling a specific moment in time with the artist's friend's sibling


And said, "God, do you look evil in the dark?"
A comment made by the friend's sibling about the artist's appearance


That made me feel good
The singer found some sort of gratification from this negative comment


Sad reminders of mid-west winter snow
Revisiting memories of cold and unpleasant winters in the mid-western region


Cold catholic church heaven in stained glass windows
Describing the imagery of sanctuary windows in a Catholic Church


Like rock candy and when on Sunday their daughter turned at me
Drawing a comparison between the appearance of stained glass and rock candy


And said, "Mom and dad, is it a boy or a girl? Mom and dad, is it a he or a she?"
A child's innocent question about gender


That made me feel good
The singer found some sort of gratification from this innocent question




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Mark Edward Kozelek

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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