Better of Two Evils by Marilyn Manson Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Anthem of Defiance

Lyrics

Haters call me bitch
Call me fagot call me whitey
But I am something that you’ll never be

(Hey)
I won’t look prettier if I smile for the picture
Motherfuckers never liked me then and they
Sure won’t like me now
Don’t try to drag me down with your cliche
Your fake grin fits your faker face
But I find pleasure in your misery

Yeah
I will step on you on my way up
And I will step on you on my way back down
I will step on you on my way up
And I will step on you on my way back down
Haters call me bitch
Call fagot call me whitey
But I am something that you’ll never be

(Hey)
Haters call me bitch
Call me faggot call me whitey
But I am something that you’ll never be

(Hey)
I’ll be your scapegoat, I’ll be your saviour
I’m the better of two evils
I’m the better of two evils (yeah yeah yeah)
I want to hang all you cattle
With your velvet rope
Motherfuckers step up and get into
An orderly line.
I’ll Show you how to make a muscle:
It takes less strength to grin than
It does to spit on all you
Paparazzi Nazis

Yeah
I will step on you on my way up
And I will step on you on my way back down
Haters call me bitch
Call me fagot call me whitey
But I am something that you’ll never be

(Hey)
Haters call me bitch
Call me fagot call me whitey
But I am something that you’ll never be

(Hey)
I’ll be your scapegoat, I’ll be your saviour
I’m the better of two evils
I’m the better of two evils (yeah yeah yeah)
Don’t try to lead me to temptation
Don’t try to lead me to temptation
Don’t try to lead me to temptation
Don’t try to lead me to temptation
I’ve been delivered and I already know the way
Haters call me bitch
Call me fagot call me whitey
But I am something that you’ll never be

(Hey)
Haters call me bitch
Call me faggot call me whitey
But I am something that you’ll never be

(Hey)
I’ll be your scapegoat, I’ll be your savior
I’m the better of two evils
I’m the better of two evils (yeah yeah yeah)

Marilyn Manson has never been a stranger to controversy or to the darker recesses of the human psyche. In the indomitably spiraling track ‘Better of Two Evils,’ Manson delivers what could be interpreted as a guttural war cry from the depths of societal judgment.

The relentless beat and defiant lyrics serve not just as a reflection of Manson’s personal battles, but perhaps speak to a larger, more universal struggle against vilification and the need for identity affirmation in the face of relentless criticism.

The Chorus of Contempt: Exploring Manson’s Retaliation

The relentless repetition of ‘I will step on you on my way up / And I will step on you on my way back down’ is more than a taunt; it’s a meditation on ambition and the inevitability of conflict in the pursuit of success. Manson isn’t just setting his sights on reaching the top – he’s fully aware of the cyclical nature of fame and the constant barrage of scorn that accompanies visibility.

By accepting this reality and embracing the contempt, he positions himself as both the agent of his own ascent and the inevitable force of his own descent, suggesting a self-awareness that challenges the critics even as it acknowledges their role in the celebrity ecosystem.

Between Scapegoat and Savior: The Dual Role of the Outcast

‘I’ll be your scapegoat, I’ll be your savior’ Manson proclaims, encapsulating the paradoxical role often foisted upon those who defy conventions. Through this line, Manson not only plays with the idea of being a necessary evil but also sheds light on the societal need to categorize individuals as either villains or heroes – roles that he subsequently promises to fulfill.

By identifying as ‘the better of two evils,’ he challenges the notion of binary moral judgments and offers a third option: the complex individual who embodies traits that society is simultaneously drawn to and repulsive by.

Unvarnished Truth in a Picture-Perfect World: The Anti-Pleasantries

The line ‘I won’t look prettier if I smile for the picture’ isn’t just about physical appearance; it’s a scathing critique of the inauthenticity that pervades celebrity culture. Manson refuses to conform to the expectation of being the palatable, agreeable figure that many seek out in public figures.

In his rejection of this facade, he underscores his authenticity, contrasting his genuine nature with the ‘fake grin[s]’ and ‘faker face[s]’ of those who condemn him. This authenticity becomes an act of rebellion in itself, as direct a statement of resistance as any political manifesto.

The Enigmatic Puzzle of ‘Better of Two Evils’ – Confronting Manson’s Hidden Meaning

While on the surface the track reads as a diatribe against his detractors, ‘Better of Two Evils’ serves a dual purpose as an allegory on the human condition. By proclaiming ‘I am something that you’ll never be,’ Manson draws a stark line between those who brave the storm of self-actualization and those who hide behind the shield of anonymity and judgment.

The song thus becomes a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery and self-mastery, a journey laden with trials and hostility, where the subject must embrace their flaws and strengths alike, transforming their unique character into an emblem of resilience.

Profound Resistance: Memorable Lines as Pillars of Defiance

Lines like ‘Haters call me bitch / Call me faggot call me whitey’ serve as bold reminders of the personal attacks artists often face. What’s striking about these phrases isn’t just their provocative nature, it’s the sheer unflinching way Manson throws them back at the listener, reclaiming the words meant to diminish him.

‘But I am something that you’ll never be’ is not merely a declaration of difference – it is a triumphant affirmation of individual power in the face of uniformity. Manson’s response to hate-speech becomes a clarion call for those beleaguered by society’s demand for uniformity, making the song not just personal, but a universal emblem for the marginalized.