EVIL CHILD
(words and music by Rick Springfield) 

Born crying
At midnight
I was schooled with the devil's child
I did things you dream of
People said I was wild inside

And they said I was evil
Evil Chld
I showed 'em evil, believe me
Evil Chld
'Cause I am just a
Evil Child

Through the rain and sunshine
They keep on talkin'
And callin'
Evil Child
Me evil
Evil Child
'Cause I'm just a
Evil Child

Miranda, Belinda
For I found they were all the same
Then I met hell fire
And she burned like a flame inside
And I called her my Evil Child
I loved her
She was magic
Pure magic

Through the moon and star shine
They keep on talkin' about us
Evil Child
They call us
Evil Child
Together
Evil Child

Born Evil
Die Evil
Now I sing from a gallows pole
I did things you dream of
People said I was wild inside

And they said I was evil
I showed 'em evil
They remember
Evil Child
'Cause I'm just a
Evil Child

Through the rain and sunshine
They keep on talking about me
They call me 
Evil Child
I'm evil
Evil Child

Through the moon and star shine
They keep on talkin' about me
They call me 
An Evil Child
'Cause I'm just a
Evil Child

(total playing time 2:53)

Song Facts: This can be found on Zoot Out,  and Zoot Locker.

 According to US

This is probably the song I would consider my favorite Rick/Zoot song, even though it's not deep or extremely meaningful. It's catchy and rebellious. I love that in his music even now. The coolest part of all is when he says, "They said I was evil. I showed `em evil." I love that little attitude in there. Daryl sounded really good in this song! I just love to sing along to this and tap to the beat. I like the cowbells and the drums and I especially like the guitar solo about half way through the song. I'm assuming that's Rick jamming out there! The opening kind of sets this one up with it's dramatic beat and the cowbells. It even sounds like voices in the background saying, "child….child…child!" 

The opening lyrics set the tone as well---"Born crying at midnight. I was schooled with the devil's child. I did things you dream of. People said I was wild inside." I'd like to know what those `things you dream of' might be that he's referring to! I have considered that this song might not even be about Rick. He may have wrote this song about someone he knew at the time. But for some reason I doubt it. He admits he had esteem issues when he was younger, and he has also admitted to dabbling in drugs and a lot of other craziness. I think that is what leads me to believe he probably did think he was `no good' or `evil.' Maybe he figured his lifestyle automatically cast him into that category. 

I think the most intriguing aspect of this song comes down to the lyrics. Maybe it's the irony in the lyrics. Rick was quite young when he wrote this tune…young in life and his songwriting, but I still think it's a clever song. Apparently he was convinced he was a bad boy of some kind. Okay…so maybe he was pretty wild at one time, but we all know that Rick is not "evil" in the real sense of the word. He is a kind and loving soul and a guy who simply loves music and knows how to have a good time. "Evil" is definitely an exaggeration here, and too harsh of a word to describe Richard Springthorpe. A rebel might be a better term for how Rick behaved in his early years. 

`People' generally have ugly things to say about guys who drop out of school, grow out their hair and do nothing but play guitar and pursue rock and roll. Back in the 60's a lot of society considered musicians as "no good hippies." Rumors fly. Judgments begin. So yes, I think Rick was sincere in his feelings here. He probably did think he was perceived as an `evil child,' and may have started to believe what others said about him. Thank God he was that rock and roll `rebel' and continued to do what he set out to do. I like to think that he proved a lot of people wrong by becoming the great success he is today.

He sings about women/girls in this song too (not that it would be unusual for Rick to sing about girls!! Ha!)---"Miranda, Belinda. But I found they were all the same." If Rick had numerous girlfriends, then that probably didn't help his reputation either! LOL He makes it sound like he was playing the field. But as we know…I'm sure he didn't have to try hard. I'm guessing the girls were following him around of their own free will. I can imagine that Rick was loving his new stardom and his freedom of music. He was finally doing what he loved. His career was taking off and people were talking about the `new' guy---"Through the moon and star shine, they keep on talkin' about us." (in this verse `us' is referring to his new girl…his `perfect' match.)

I'm thinking Rick really did meet his match at one point! He found a girl who stood out above the rest and was a bit on the `wild side` like he was. "Miranda. Belinda. But I found they were all the same. Then I met hellfire, and she burned like a flame inside. And I called her my evil child. I loved her. She was magic. Pure magic." Oh yea…he was into this girl! I get such a kick out the nickname he gave her…`hellfire.` LOL Well now he had a partner in crime, even if it was only for a little while. 

I like the sarcasm and the attitude in this song. I think it became a little bit of a trend in Rick's music. He doesn't overdo it, which is good. But when he writes songs that are chock full of attitude like this song, I usually find that I like it! - Kelley Pearson