Evil
The Flaming Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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)
The Flaming Lips' song "Evil" speaks to the regret and yearning for a chance to change the past. The singer sings about wanting to go back in time to warn someone about the evil she will encounter. The singer's wistful tone suggests that she feels responsible for having allowed her friend or loved one to fall victim to these malevolent individuals. The phrase "those people are evil" implies a sense of powerlessness, as if the people responsible for the harm were too numerous or widespread to be targeted.
The song explores the themes of regret and accountability, demonstrating the human tendency to reflect on past decisions and wanting to change the trajectory. The line "But no one ever really can / Go back in time," suggests that the singer is aware of the futility of her desires.
Overall, "Evil" speaks to the universal human desire to turn back the clock and shape events differently, to avoid mistakes, and to protect those we care about. The song expresses a yearning for second chances and a sense of desire to right wrongs.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I could go back
Expressing regret for the inability to change past events
Go back in time
Travel to a previous period to alter its outcome
I would have warned you
If given the opportunity to time travel, I would caution you
Those people are evil
Referring to a specific group of individuals possessing sinister intentions
And it's hard to understand
Acknowledging the complexity of comprehending the motives behind maleficent behavior
I never understand
Admitting difficulty in comprehending the reasoning behind negative actions
But no one ever really can
Acknowledging the impossibility of altering past events
Oh, I would have shown you
If time travel were possible, I would illustrate to you
And they'll hurt you if they can
Explaining that the maleficent group would intentionally inflict harm if given the opportunity
Understand
A plea to comprehend the gravity of the situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ROBERTS, MATTHEW ROBERTS, MONICA MARTIN, JASON KRUNNFUSZ, ZACHARY JOHNSTON, MATTHEW HOLMEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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
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
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...