See No Evil

My interpretation is a little different than what's been said so far. I think the argument is that all of what we describe as "evil" can be explained by somebody wanting something very badly, which the speaker sympathizes with ("I understand all destructive urges") and so he does not see this as evil. After all, what he wants, he wants now. He can't control himself when faced with urges, and he doesn't see himself as evil, so nobody is.

Ignorance is bliss. I think that's the message really.

I agree. Fine song, too

I agree with myeh. I also think this is one of the greatest songs ever. It's so basic but I could listen to it over and over.

What happened to the first verse?

just discovered this band. wow amazing sound they have.

This song I feel is about having a state of mind of the opposite of evil, someone who acknowledges evil being there in front of him but being pure with love in every action he does. Therefore he does not see in the eyes of evil in the actions that he executes in his life but is honest to himself and therefore eliminates any trace of evil in his mind without ignoring or being ignorant to evil, rather confronting it with love and becoming virtuous and or honest with himself and everything else in this world. What you see is what you get.

The solo. Aural orgasm. Tension and release, tension and release, are you kidding me, man?!? This is what the guitar is meant to do to you, I “forgive” every second of Tom Verlaine’s supposed snobbishness and reclusiveness just because this SOLO - let alone the song; the riff (or “lead” or whatever you guitar people say these days itself is brilliant) EXISTS lol…I gotta go hear it again, right now. I’m a compulsive masturbator, I suppose, then. ????‍♂️

This is a self-actualisation (UK spelling :) ) moment, for me:. When I first heard this song it was in 1988, I was just 21... and I had the fortune of having the positive outcome from doing some very brave inner work (I had no choice!) and now -as then, it is clear (-to me, at least): that when one is whole (after not being...) and unrepressed and in one's centre (essence, of goodness, aliveness, intelligence and innocence) and also being honest about looking at (former/sometimes) 'destructive urges' are all explainable; we understand our own psychology! 'It seems so perfect!' Indeed...! And -i.e. There is a reason for everyone's chaos and destructive impulses.... -which does not excuse it when it is relentless; but when our awareness and empathy knows a person's biography, we understand (why they are negatively, the way they are... ) The being as a whole is seeking health, wholeness - to be free, self-aware, self-alive and happy... This is the truth that... Maslow and Carl Rogers found out: that even with their most (formerly) anti-social clients, when they were treated with patience and kindness, they started to become gentle and self-caring and were able to begin to have empathy for others in their life... and begin to make more solid, wholesome relationships

This is my definite 'take' on it. Tom is no longer around in thsi world to say Yes, srpt of, or 'no'... But the track, the guitar substcnes' in the song are (also) so good!