Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: punk
Song Meaning of “Evil’s Sway” by Japandroids
The lyrics of Evil’s Sway by Japandroids reveal an individual’s doubts and repressed desires in the midst of a hostile situation. The song reflects a feeling of remorse, as the protagonist has gone too far astray from their moral compass. They express their pain and guilt for their choices, knowing that they will be judged harshly by society for their actions.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea of danger and how one’s choices can cause them to take a path of destruction. By repeating the phrase, “Evil’s sway, don’t come around me,” the protagonist is warning him/herself to stay away from misguiding influences. With the power of evil growing stronger and the hope of redemption becoming increasingly slim, the protagonist is left in a state of hopelessness and despair.
The protagonist acknowledges that they made mistakes and have ‘lost their way’ but at the same time experiencing a certain kind of freedom from the constraints of morality. The idea of having to constantly struggle against the perceived power of evil and the feeling of guilt brings a complex dynamic to the song. The protagonist can’t ignore the consequences of their choices and the idea of a pure worry is present throughout the song.