The second single from Interpol's second album 'Antics', released in January 2005, 'Evil' reached number eighteen in the UK Singles Chart and number twenty-four in the United States. The song is widely believed to address British serial killers Fred and Rosemary West, though the band have denied this in interviews with The Guardian. Paul Banks' vocal retains the rougher, less refined quality that marked Interpol's early work, a rawness that would smooth out by their third album as Banks embraced sobriety.
The lyrics circle around two figures, Rosemary and Sandy, with Banks singing of heaven restoring someone in life and the long way back from a lifespan with no cellmate. The imagery shifts between travel, beaches, and something more unsettling: shards under the belly, grease inside a hand, the sentimental jury. The marionette puppet featured in the video, later named Norman by fans, is rumoured to have been visually inspired by Christopher Walken.
"Evil" is a single by Interpol, from the album Antics, released 23rd September 2004. The track is 3:36 long. It's filed under Alternative. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 17 articles about Interpol.