Aspiring musician and scenester Bob Markley managed to join the group the Laughing Wind in exchange for his connections in the music industry and substantial bankroll. The original five-piece line-up consisted of Michael Lloyd (rhythm guitar, vocals), Shaun Harris (bass guitar, vocals, Danny Harris (lead guitar, vocals), John Ware (drums), and Markley (tambourine, vocals). Although Markley possessed the least musical talent, his expertise in law enabled him to assume control of the group's name and publishing, which generated a divide in the WCPAEB's creative mindset.
The band debuted with the album Volume One in 1966 on the small FiFo record label. In the early years of the group, much was made of the WCPAEB's elaborate psychedelic light shows, which became the focal point of their live performances in Los Angeles. Following the release of Volume One, the WCPAEB signed with Reprise Records, recording three albums with the company, including arguably their most accomplished work Volume 3: A Child's Guide to Good and Evil in 1968. Two additional albums, Where's My Daddy? and Markley, A Group, were distributed on independent labels before the group disbanded in 1970.
A Child's Guide To Good And Evil
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through the forest until the leaves and trees slow us down
A vampire bat will suck blood from our hands
A dog with rabies will bite us
Rats will run up your legs
But nothing will matter.
After the doors of many strange rooms have been bolted and locked
I'll give you a new shiny face
And a yellow brick road
The rest of the world is wrong
Don't let anyone change you.
Evil doesn't exist anymore
Except for the war
Evil doesn't exist anymore
Except for the war (I'll lick my lips with your tongue)
Evil doesn't (etc)
(And I'll be you and you'll be me
And we'll be one.
And Nothing will bother us
No. No. No.)
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band's song "A Child's Guide to Good and Evil" is full of intriguing and ambiguous images. The first stanza presents a scene of running away through a forest, while a vampire bat sucks the blood from their hands, a dog with rabies bites them, and rats run up one's legs. Despite the potential dangers, the singer promises that nothing will matter, suggesting a carefree attitude and a desire for adventure.
The second stanza begins with a reference to "the doors of many strange rooms," which could indicate a confusing, disorienting world. However, the singer promises to provide a new shiny face and a yellow brick road, suggesting a quest for self-discovery and a new path in life. The line "the rest of the world is wrong" adds a tone of rebelliousness or non-conformity, as the singer urges the listener not to let anyone change them.
The refrain, "Evil doesn't exist anymore except for the war," is a somewhat cryptic statement that suggests that evil is only present in the context of conflict and violence. This is followed by a provocative line, "I'll lick my lips with your tongue," which adds a sensual, intimate layer to the song. The final lines of the song, "And I'll be you and you'll be me, and we'll be one. And nothing will bother us, no, no, no," again suggest a desire for unity and harmony, while also acknowledging the possibility of struggle and hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
Take my hand and run away with me
Join me in fleeing from reality and all its troubles.
Through the forest until the leaves and trees slow us down
We'll continue running through the woods until we're physically hindered by nature.
A vampire bat will suck blood from our hands
We might encounter danger and harmful creatures along the way, which we'll have to face together.
A dog with rabies will bite us
We can't escape all the terrible things in the world, but we'll stick together no matter what happens.
Rats will run up your legs
Even if something grotesque and unexpected happens, we won't let it stand in the way of our journey.
But nothing will matter.
Ultimately, we won't allow anything to deter us from our escape to a better place.
After the doors of many strange rooms have been bolted and locked
Once you've explored countless new experiences and realities, shutting yourself off from the rest of the world.
When you come back dragging your day dreams behind you
After rejoining society and returning to reality, while still holding onto your hopes and aspirations.
I'll give you a new shiny face
I'll help you create a new identity or persona for yourself, a fresh start.
And a yellow brick road
Consider it a roadmap to a better future, an optimistic view of what's possible.
The rest of the world is wrong
Going against the status quo and choosing a path that society might not approve of is okay.
Don't let anyone change you.
At the end of the day, remain true to yourself and don't compromise your beliefs or identity for anyone else.
Evil doesn't exist anymore
A view that the world has changed for the better.
Except for the war
Except for the remnants of past wars and conflict that are still present.
I'll lick my lips with your tongue
A sexual and sensual expression of desire and intimacy between two partners.
And I'll be you and you'll be me
In an intimate relationship, two people can be intertwined and mirror each other's desires and feelings.
And we'll be one.
Ultimately, two people in love can become a single entity, fully emotionally connected.
And Nothing will bother us
With this deep emotional connection, nothing will break us apart or take our happiness away.
No. No. No.
The repeated phrase signifies the singer's intense conviction and belief in what they're saying.
Contributed by Ryan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.