[Intro - orchestral strings, low and tense] Funny. Everybody loves a good person till a good person tells 'em no. [Violin run] Then suddenly... [808 DROP] [Verse 1] I spent years makin excuses for behavior I despised Call it empathy, but really I was scared to cut the ties Every boundary was negotiable, every favor got extended Till the first time I said "nah" and now you're suddenly offended That's impressive You can turn a "no" into betrayal in a second Like the thousand times I showed up somehow shouldn't be remembered You don't measure what I gave you, just injustices I accept. Then describe me by the moment I stopped saying "yes" Okay. If that's the evidence, convict me If protecting what is left of me is selfish, call me guilty You were comfortable when kindness meant compliance with your wishes Now I'm difficult because I finally learned the fuckin difference I don't need to make you see it I don't need to clear my name You need somebody responsible For why you couldn't stay the same So put it all on me I know that makes the story easier Every hero needs a problem Guess I'm necessary evil, huh? [Pre-Chorus - strings rising] Somebody's gotta be the bastard When "no" don't fit the bill Somebody's gotta take the blame And if nobody does I will. So if it has to be me... [Chorus][Sung] I'll be your necessary evil Your reason, your excuse Tell everybody I'm the problem If it makes it easier on you Necessary evil Go ahead, make me the threat If I'm evil for my ego Then I ain't done being evil yet You can hate me You can blame me You can tell 'em I'm deceitfulllllll- I'm your necessary evil [Verse 2] I noticed something funny 'bout the people callin' me changed Every one of 'em preferred me when they had something to gain When my time was always open, when my wallet wasn't closed When I'd swallow every grievance just to keep us fuckin close But now I'm "cold" That's adorable, explain it You miss the version of me that you could drain without complainin' You call boundaries an attitude and distance disrespect You don't miss the old me, you miss a Zack you could expect On God. And I know exactly how this goes You'll tell somebody half the story, they'll pretend they know us both You'll leave out every little thing that doesn't flatter your position Then diagnose my fuckin character to justify your own decisions That's fine. I stopped attending trials where the verdict's predetermined Stopped submitting my intentions for approval by a jury Made of people who don't know me past whatever you've reported If I'm guilty in a courtroom where the evidence gets sorted By friends you've supported Fuck it. Sentence me. [Pre-Chorus] Somebody's gotta be the bastard When "no" don't fit the bill Somebody's gotta take the blame And if nobody does I will. So if it has to be me... [Chorus] I'll be your necessary evil Your reason, your excuse Tell everybody I'm the problem If it makes it easier on you Necessary evil Go ahead, make me the threat If I'm evil for my ego Then I ain't done being evil yet You can hate me You can blame me You can tell 'em I'm deceitfulllllll- I'm your necessary evil
