Public Image Ltd. – Scruffy Theory

Former Punk Rock firebrand turned turgid reactionary John Lydon throws his hat into the Eurovision fiasco, for some reason. He has stated himself, this week on RTE’s Radio 1, that he has never watched a single broadcast of the event, which has run since 1956, branding it as ‘awful’ and ‘disgusting’. Lydon hopes to represent Ireland in the heavily politicised song contest. Hawaii is just kind of fine. Nothing special, kind of average. Lydon’s vocals are blank and uninspired, lacking his former acerbic edge. The backing track sounds like the peak 80s power ballads that Phil Collins is probably still living off of to this day. This is a shame as it is reportedly inspired by his wife’s battles with Alzheimer’s and, according to Lydon, is “also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.” Not something that aligns particularly well with his more recent public outbursts. I really wanted to like this. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

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Song of the Day (The Chain): Public Image Ltd. – Public Image

Day 36. In my mind, The Clash & The Sex Pistols are the main bands of the first wave of British Punk. So from Mick Jone’s Post-Punk band (Big Audio Dynamite) to Johnny Rotten/John Lydon’s (Public Image Ltd.)

Public Image is probably the PIL song closest, sonically, to the Sex Pistols but it does have much stronger Pop vibes. The bass heavy production & the reverb-soaked guitar tone create a unique sound which, unfortunately, I haven’t really heard since.

Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello.
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha.
You never listen to word that I said
You only seen me
For the clothes that I wear
Or did the interest go so much deeper
It must have been
The colour of my hair.
Public image.
What you wanted was never made clear
Behind the image was ignorance and fear
You hide behind his public machine
Still follow the same old scheme.
Public image.
Two sides to every story
Somebody had to stop me
I’m not the same as when I began
I will not be treated as property.
Public image.
Two sides to every story
Somebody had to stop me
I’m not the same as when I began
It’s not a game of Monopoly.
Public image.
Public image you got what you wanted
The Public Image belongs to me
It’s my entrance
My own creation
My grand finale
My goodbye
Public image.
Public image.
Goodbye.

Keep up to date with the Song of the Day (The Chain) Spotify playlist.

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