Public Image

John Lydon

About Public Image

"Public Image" is the debut single by Public Image Ltd. It reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The song was written when Lydon was in the Sex Pistols. The song addresses John Lydon's feelings of being exploited in the Sex Pistols by Malcolm McLaren and the press. Along with being released as a single, it appeared on PiL's 1978 debut album Public Image: First Issue. On the song, PiL leader John Lydon has said: 'Public Image', despite what most of the press seemed to misinterpret it to be, is not about the fans at all, it's a slagging of the group I used to be in. It's what I went through from my own group. They never bothered to listen to what I was fucking singing, they don't even know the words to my songs. They never bothered to listen, it was like, 'Here's a tune, write some words to it.' So I did. They never questioned it. I found that offensive, it meant I was literally wasting my time, 'cause if you ain't working with people that are on the same level then you ain't doing anything. The rest of the band and Malcolm never bothered to find out if I could sing, they just took me as an image. It was as basic as that, they really were as dull as that. After a year of it they were going 'Why don't you have your hair this colour this year?' And I was going 'Oh God, a brick wall, I'm fighting a brick wall!' They don't understand even now. 


Year:
2005
127 

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Hello, hello, hello (ha, ha, ha)
You never listen to a 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

The Public Image
What you wanted was never made clear
Behind the image was ignorance and fear
You hide behind this public machine
Still follow 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
Its 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 
Goodbye

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John Lydon

John Joseph Lydon (born 31 January 1956), also known by the former stage name Johnny Rotten, is a singer-songwriter and television presenter, best known as the lead singer of punk rock band the Sex Pistols from 1975 until 1978, and again for various revivals during the 1990s and 2000s. He is the lead singer of the post-punk band Public Image Ltd (PiL), which he founded and fronted from 1978 until 1993, and again from 2009. Throughout his career, Lydon has made controversial or dismissive comments about the royal family and other subjects. There has been a recent revival of a 1980s movement to have Lydon knighted for his achievements with the Sex Pistols- even though he has since turned down an MBE for his services to music. In 2002 he was named among the 100 … more »

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Written by: JAMES WALKER, JOHN LYDON, JOHN WARDLE, KEITH LEVENE

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Band Formation
"Public Image" is the debut single for the band Public Image Ltd. (PiL), which John Lydon (also known as Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols) founded after the Sex Pistols broke up in 1978.
Lyrics and Influences
The song's lyrics were a direct response to Lydon's frustration with the media and the public's perception of him. This helps contribute to the song's raw and confrontational tone.
Chart Performance
Despite its significant divergence from the popular music trends at the time, "Public Image" peaked at No. 9 on the UK singles chart.
Unique Cover Art
The cover art of the single features an image of the band taken with a fish-eye lens. The distinctive visual concept was drawn from the idea of presenting the band as a 'public image', a play on the title.
Iconic Bassline
Jah Wobble’s repetitive bassline in "Public Image" is often mentioned as one of the most innovative and memorable aspects of the song. His performance greatly contributes to the overall post-punk genre.
Musical Impact
The song had a significant impact on the post-punk and alternative rock scenes and has been covered by many acts since its original release.
Influence on Video Production
"Public Image" was accompanied by a music video, a relatively new medium at the time. Its success helped to reinforce the importance of visual media in promoting and enhancing music.
Album Contribution
Interestingly, "Public Image" is also the title track of Public Image Ltd.'s debut album, underlining its significance in the band's discography.
Recognition
In 2007, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, recognizing its lasting impact on the music industry.
Musical Style
With its crashing drums, catchy bassline, and Lydon's snarling vocals, "Public Image" is often cited as a pioneering example of the post-punk genre. Despite being over 40 years old, it remains influential and groundbreaking.

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