Am I Evil?

Album: Borrowed Time (1982)
Play Video
  • My mother was a witch, she was burned alive
    Thankless little bitch
    For the tears I cried
    Take her down now
    Don't wanna see her face
    Blistered and burnt, can't hide my disgrace

    Twenty-seven, everyone was nice
    Got to see them, make them pay the price
    See their bodies out on the ice
    Take my time

    Am I evil?
    Yes I am
    Am I evil, I am man, yes

    Watched my mother die
    I lost my head
    Revenge now I sought
    To break with my bread
    Takin' no chance
    You come with me
    I'll split you to the bone
    Help set you free

    Twenty-seven, everyone was nice
    Got to see them, make them pay the price
    See their bodies out on the ice
    Take my time

    Am I evil?
    Yes I am
    Am I evil, I am man, yes I am
    Oh oh

    On with the action now, I'll strip your pride
    I'll spread your blood around
    I'll see you ride
    Your face is scarred with steel, wounds deep and neat
    Like a double dozen before you
    Smell so sweet

    Am I evil?
    Yes I am
    Am I evil, I am man, yes I am

    My soul is longing before, await my heir
    Sent to avenge my mother, sleep myself
    My face is long forgotten, my face not my own
    Sweet and timely whore, take me home

    Am I evil?
    Yes I am
    Am I evil? I am man, yes I am

    I'm with the action now, I'll strip your pride
    I'll spread your blood around, I'll see you ride
    Your face is scarred with steel, your spirits dance
    Like a double dozen before you, no romance

    Am I evil?
    Yes I am
    Am I evil? I am man
    Am I evil?
    Yes I am
    Am I evil? I am man
    Yes I am Writer/s: Brian Andrew Tatler, Sean Lyndon Harris
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

  • Hugh from Shrewsbury, United KingdomHeard this originally on the Diamond Head album and then saw them play it live where it was just as good. Then I had the misfortune of hearing Metallica play it at Donnington where they murdered it - especially the guitar solo. So nothing can beat the original for me.
  • Ryan from Anahola, HiThrash metal bands Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax all played this song during the "Big Four" tour.
  • Luke from Sc, Scmetallica owns this song! their version is much better than diamond head.
  • Nick from Cairns, AustraliaI agree. Nothin' beats the originals. Metallica's was great and a lot more distorted with the guitars and everything. That version was the one i heard the most until i heard the original version which turned out to be alot better. The solo is a lot cleaner too, even though i like the more heavy sounds, so i guess you could say metallica were inspired alot by the many bands of the new wave of british heavy metal (NWOBHM) scene.
  • Jeff from Austin, TxI heard this original version for the first time many years after hearing Metallica's cover. The original rocks just as hard!! Great song!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.