The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I've posed for pictures with Iv'ry Soap
I've petted stray dogs, and shied clear of dope
My smile is brilliant, my glance is tender
But I'm noted most for my unspoiled gender
I've been made Miss Reingold, though I never touch beer
And I'm the person to whom they say, "You're sweet, my dear"
The only etchings I've seen have been behind glass
And the closest I've been to a bar was at ballet class
Prim and proper, the girl who's never been kissed
I'm tired of being pure and not chased
Like something that seeks it's level
I wanna go to the devil
I wanna be evil, I wanna spit tacks
I wanna be evil and cheat at jacks
I wanna be wicked, I wanna tell lies
I wanna be mean and throw mud pies
I want to wake up in the morning
With that dark brown taste
I wanna see some dissipation in my face
I wanna be evil, I wanna be mad
But more than that, I wanna be bad
I wanna be evil and trump an ace
Just to see my partner's face
I wanna be nasty, I wanna be cruel
I wanna be daring, I wanna shoot pool
And in the theatre, I want to change my seat
Just so I can step on everybody's feet
I wanna be evil, I wanna hurt flies
I wanna sing songs like the guy who cries
I wanna be horrid, I wanna drink booze
And whatever I've got, I am eager to lose
I wanna be evil, little evil me
Just as mean and evil as I can be
I've petted stray dogs, and shied clear of dope
My smile is brilliant, my glance is tender
But I'm noted most for my unspoiled gender
I've been made Miss Reingold, though I never touch beer
And I'm the person to whom they say, "You're sweet, my dear"
The only etchings I've seen have been behind glass
And the closest I've been to a bar was at ballet class
Prim and proper, the girl who's never been kissed
I'm tired of being pure and not chased
Like something that seeks it's level
I wanna go to the devil
I wanna be evil, I wanna spit tacks
I wanna be evil and cheat at jacks
I wanna be wicked, I wanna tell lies
I wanna be mean and throw mud pies
I want to wake up in the morning
With that dark brown taste
I wanna see some dissipation in my face
I wanna be evil, I wanna be mad
But more than that, I wanna be bad
I wanna be evil and trump an ace
Just to see my partner's face
I wanna be nasty, I wanna be cruel
I wanna be daring, I wanna shoot pool
And in the theatre, I want to change my seat
Just so I can step on everybody's feet
I wanna be evil, I wanna hurt flies
I wanna sing songs like the guy who cries
I wanna be horrid, I wanna drink booze
And whatever I've got, I am eager to lose
I wanna be evil, little evil me
Just as mean and evil as I can be
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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It's interesting what passed for evil in the 1950s when this song came out. Like cheating at jacks, playing pool, trumping an ace, so on. It's hard to tell if Eartha is being facetious here. Regardless, the rhymes are great.
Science wrote " It's hard to tell if Eartha is being facetious here"<br /> I'm not a mindreader but I think it is very clear that it was a joke (and a really good one). She is so nice and pure that even when she tries to imagine being evil, this is the worst she can come up with. I love this song so much.