John Joseph Lydon (born January 31, 1956), also known as Johnny Rotten star… Read Full Bio ↴John Joseph Lydon (born January 31, 1956), also known as Johnny Rotten started his music career as the lead singer of punk band the Sex Pistols.

After the Sex Pistols broke up in 1978, he started Public Image Ltd. also called PiL. The group lasted for fourteen years with John Lydon as the only consistent member. In 2010, Lydon reassembled PIL and embarked on a successful tour of Europe, as well as re-visiting the United States for the first time in 18 years.

In 1997 he released a solo album on called Psycho's Path. He wrote all the songs and played (almost) all the instruments on the album.

Besides music, John has written a book called "Rotten - No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs", been in British reality television show, "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!", hosted the short-lived VH1 show "Rotten TV", co-starred in the movie "Copkiller" along with Harvey Keitel and hosted "It's a Rotten Day", a minute-long, syndicated US radio feature, in which he would offer cynical commentary on the day's headlines.

Cruel
John Lydon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Body and soul, an animal
As a sword, swing double edged
Dig deep down, that monthly frown
You have the tools, to make men fools

Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel

(It's so cruel)
Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel

Cleopatra, the rat catcher
Preambling eyeball shopping
Measuring, your next victim
Too good to be sin, far too entertaining

Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel
(You're so cruel)
Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel
(So cruel)
Cruel, cruel, cruel

She said, "The most evil thing I can do
Is to give my body to you"

Silhouette, the suffragette
Behind the scenes the deadly schemes
Your best nightmare, without a prayer
From ship to shore paramour amour

Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel
(So cruel)
Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel

Inside our head, 22 to lead
The modern miss, with modern gifts
In the tragedy hilarity
Never sin, far too entertaining

Cruel, cruel, cruel

Cruel, cruel, cruel
Cruel, cruel, cruel

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of John Lydon’s song “Cruel” are filled with dark imagery and metaphors denoting the cruelty of the human race, particularly towards women. The first verse speaks of the human craving for lust and animalistic desire that is comparable to a double-edged sword. It notes how people, primarily men, can use their power to put women down, make them feel inferior, and take advantage of them. The lyrics, “Dig deep down, that monthly frown/You have the tools, to make men fools,” imply that women have the power to manipulate their oppressors.

The chorus of the song repeats the word ‘cruel’ over and over again, highlighting how humans can be inhumane and ruthless to others. The second verse refers to the historical figure Cleopatra, who is known to have controlled people with her seductive power, referring to how women, too, can have mastery over others. The lines, “Too good to be sin, far too entertaining,” talk about how people can show their true intentions by pushing boundaries, crossing lines and bringing out the worst in others.

The final verse speaks of women’s empowerment, alluding to women taking up arms, figuratively and forcefully bringing wanted change by using their charm and intellect as weapons. The lines "Silhouette, the suffragette/Behind the scenes the deadly schemes/Your best nightmare, without a prayer/From ship to shore paramour amour" allude to the power of suffragettes in the fight for gender equality, with them plotting behind the scenes to bring about change. Overall, the song speaks of the savagery of human nature, especially in gender dynamics, how people can be unnecessarily cruel, and how often women not only suffer from this cruelty but are also capable of fighting back and having agency.

Line by Line Meaning

Body and soul, an animal
Referring to the primal instincts that exist within every human, which can often override the more rational aspects of one's being

As a sword, swing double edged
The power that comes with one's actions, which can both harm and benefit oneself and others

Dig deep down, that monthly frown
Acknowledge and confront the emotions and challenges that come with being a woman in a society that often disregards the struggles faced by females

You have the tools, to make men fools
Women's inherent power, despite societal restrictions, to influence and manipulate those around them

Cleopatra, the rat catcher
A reference to the historical figure's ability to use charm and political maneuvering to gain power and keep it

Preambling eyeball shopping
Scanning and observing one's environment, in order to determine the best course of action and who to trust

Measuring, your next victim
The calculated approach one must take to achieve their goals, including taking advantage of others

Too good to be sin, far too entertaining
The allure of breaking societal norms and expectations, despite the consequences, due to the excitement and adrenaline that comes with it

She said, "The most evil thing I can do Is to give my body to you"
Recognizing the power that comes with one's sexuality, and how it can be used in both positive and negative ways

Silhouette, the suffragette Behind the scenes the deadly schemes
The tactics used by women throughout history to fight for their rights, including covert and subversive strategies

Your best nightmare, without a prayer From ship to shore paramour amour
One's fear of the unknown, specifically in regards to the power of women and their sexuality, and how it can be used to cross boundaries and borders

Inside our head, 22 to lead The modern miss, with modern gifts In the tragedy hilarity Never sin, far too entertaining
The paradoxical nature of modern society, where the intersection of technology and societal expectations creates a sense of simultaneous optimism and doom; the belief that in spite of negative consequences, societal norms are still worth breaking due to the thrill it provides

Cruel, cruel, cruel Cruel, cruel, cruel Cruel, cruel, cruel (It's so cruel) Cruel, cruel, cruel Cruel, cruel, cruel Cruel, cruel, cruel
Refrains throughout the song that highlight the inherent cruelty of the world, particularly as it relates to the struggles that women face, and the societal constraints that prevent them from achieving their full potential

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LYDON, JOHN ALEXANDER MCGEOCH, ALAN DIAS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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