The intense rhythms of this song keep it moving forward and give it a sense of urgency. Ultimately it explains the relationship of an abuser and the abused, and Fiona questions what it takes to break the ongoing cycle of hurt.
[Chorus]
Evil is a relay sport
When the one who's burned
Turns to pass the torch
Evil is a relay sport
When the one who's burned
Turns to pass the torch
Evil is a relay sport
When the one who's burned
Turns to pass the torch
Evil is a relay sport
When the one who's burned
Turns to pass the torch
Evil is a relay sport
When the one who's burned
Turns to pass the torch
Evil is a relay sport
When the one who's burned
Turns to pass the torch
[Verse 1]
I resent you for being raised right
I resent you for being tall
I resent you for never getting any opposition at all
I resent you for having each other
I resent you for being so sure
I resent you presenting your life like a fucking propaganda brochure
[Pre-Chorus]
And I see that you keep trying to bait me
And I'd love to get up in your face
But I know if I hate you for hating me
I will have entered the endless race
[Chorus]
Evil is a relay sport
When the one who's burned
Turns to pass the torch
Evil is a relay sport
When the one who's burned
Turns to pass the torch
Evil is a relay sport (Evil is)
When the one who's burned (Evil is)
Turns to pass the torch (Evil is a relay sport)
Evil is a relay sport (Evil is)
When the one who's burned (Evil is)
Turns to pass the torch (Evil is a relay sport)
[Verse 1]
I resent you for being raised right
I resent you for being tall
I resent you for never getting any opposition at all
I resent you for having each other
I resent you for being so sure
I resent you presenting your life like a fucking propaganda brochure
[Pre-Chorus]
And I see that you keep trying to bait me
And I'd love to get up in your face
But I know it if I hate you for hating me
I will have entered the endless race
[Chorus]
Evil is a relay sport
When the one who's burned
Turns to pass the torch
Evil is a relay sport (Evil is)
When the one who's burned (Evil is)
Turns to pass the torch (Evil is a relay sport)
Evil is a relay sport (Evil is)
When the one who's burned (Evil is)
Turns to pass the torch (Hurt myself even more)
[Interlude]
I'm sorry
[Chorus]
Evil is a relay sport
When the one who's burned
Turns to pass the torch
Evil is a relay sport
When the one who's burned
Turns to pass the torch
[Outro]
Wipe it all away
Wipe it all away
I used to go to the Ferris wheel every morning
Just to throw my anger out the door
Relay was written by Fiona Apple.
Relay was produced by Amy Aileen Wood & Fiona Apple.
Fiona Apple released Relay on Fri Apr 17 2020.
I wrote the line, “Evil is a relay sport, when the one you burn turns to pass the torch” when I was 15. I just always liked it. [If] you get burned by somebody, when the person who burns you doesn’t acknowledge it — which rarely happens to people, acknowledging when they’ve burned you — it turns int...