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.
RISE
John Lydon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could be right
I could be wrong
I could be wrong
I could be right
I could be black
I could be white
I could be right
I could be white
I could be black
Your time has come
Your second skin
The cost so high
The gain so low
Walk through the valley
The written word is a lie
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
I could be wrong
I could be right
I could be wrong
I could be right
II could be wrong
I could be right
I could be wrong
I could be right
could be black
I could be white
I could be right
I could be wrong
I could be black
I could be white
They put a hot wire to my head
'cause of the things I did and said
They made these feelings go away
Model citizen in every way
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
I could be wrong
I could be right
I could be wrong
I could be right
I could be wrong
I could be right
I could be black
I could be white
I could be right
I could be wrong
I could be black
I could be white
Your time has come your second skin
Cost so high the gain so low
Walk through the valley
The written word is a lie
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
I could be wrong
I could be right
I could be wrong
They put a hot wire to my head
'cause of the things I did and said
They made these feelings go away
A model citizen in every way
Your time has come your second skin
Cost so high the gain so low
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy (repeat)
The song “Rise” by John Lydon (formerly known as Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols) is a powerful anthem that speaks to the paradoxes of identity and the struggles of living in a society that tries to control and limit individuals. The opening lines “I could be wrong, I could be right” highlight the uncertainty and ambiguity of life, suggesting that things are not always as they seem and that there is no definitive answer or truth to be found. This is reinforced by the repetition of the line in different variations throughout the song. The reference to being “black” or “white” also speaks to issues of race and how the constructs of society can force individuals into binary roles.
The chorus of “May the road rise with you” is a common Irish blessing, but in the context of the song it takes on a slightly subversive meaning. It suggests that the path forward is uncertain and that individuals need to be prepared for whatever challenges may come their way. The line “The written word is a lie” further reinforces the idea that what we are told and what we read might not always be the truth, and that individuals need to think critically and question the messages they receive.
The lines “Anger is an energy” are perhaps the most powerful in the song, and speak to Lydon’s punk roots. It is a call to action, a recognition that anger can be a powerful force for change and that individuals have the power to make a difference. The repeated chorus of “May the road rise with you” and “Anger is an energy” create a sense of urgency and determination in the listener, encouraging them to question authority and fight against oppression.
Overall, “Rise” is a powerful song that speaks to the struggles of individual identity, the uncertainties of life, the need to question authority and the power of anger as a force for change.
Line by Line Meaning
I could be wrong
I acknowledge that I might not always be correct in my thoughts and opinions.
I could be right
I also acknowledge that there is a chance that I could be right in my thoughts and opinions.
I could be black
My race and skin color do not determine the accuracy of my thoughts and opinions.
I could be white
My race and skin color do not determine the accuracy of my thoughts and opinions.
Your time has come
Your moment to shine and make a difference has arrived.
Your second skin
Your true identity and personality that you show to the world.
The cost so high
The price of achieving your goals can be very steep and require great sacrifice.
The gain so low
The rewards of achieving your goals may not always justify the effort and cost involved.
Walk through the valley
Facing and overcoming difficult challenges and obstacles that lie ahead.
The written word is a lie
Do not believe everything you read, as words can easily deceive and manipulate the truth.
May the road rise with you
I hope that you have good luck and success in your journey ahead.
They put a hot wire to my head
The consequences of my actions and words led to punishment and correction by those in authority.
'cause of the things I did and said
The reasons behind the punishment and correction I received were due to my previous actions and words.
They made these feelings go away
The punishment I received forced me to suppress and hide my true emotions and feelings.
Model citizen in every way
I was forced to conform to society's expectations and become a perfect example of a law-abiding individual.
Anger is an energy
The intense feeling of anger can be a powerful motivator that drives us to create change.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Lydon, Bill Laswell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@g__wizz
cost so high, gain so low.
I could be black, I could be white
They put a hot wire to my head
'Cause of the things I did and said
They made these feelings go away
Model citizen in every way
nwo ish... :/
@mikek545
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be wrong
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be black, I could be white
I could be right, I could be wrong
I could be white, I could be black
Your time has come your second skin
The cost so high the gain so low
Walk through the valley
The written word is a lie
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Could be wrong, I could be right
Could be wrong, I could be right
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be black, I could be white
I could be right, I could be wrong
I could be black, I could be white
They put a hot wire to my head
'Cos of the things I did and said
And made these feelings go away
Model citizen in every way
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Could be wrong, I could be right
Could be wrong, I could be right
I could be wrong, I could be right
I could be black, I could be white
I could be right, I could be wrong
I could be black, I could be white
Your time has come your second skin
Cost so high the gain so low
Walk through the valley
The written word is a lie
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Could be wrong, I could be right
Could be wrong
They put a hot wire to my head
'Cos of the things I did and said
And made these feelings go away
Model citizen in every way
Your time has come your second skin
Cost so high the gain so low
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
@DonaldGibson-bg1pq
Thank you Johnny. Your always fun. I just turned 67. In good health. Just came home to key west after 15 years; working. Working was killing me. Found out; 7 of about 10 of my friends here died. “ All these people died! They were all my friends; and they died. Got me thinking about mortality a lot. Been listening to the ocean waves here late at night; when I wake up. Last night I heard sounds; that I’ve never heard before. Made me think; that I’ve been missing something very important. Celebrating my birthday now; with another one of your tunes. Salad Johnny. Don
@Lori5564
Sorry for the loss of your friends. There's no place better to be then in the Keys.
@robertwhitley6233
The rug is an underrated musical instrument.
@OhanaFilms
Robert Whitley Totally! I got a used rug last year but it was way harder to play than I expected.
@DragonErin2
Lmao
@HOWYOUDOIN884
Steve Vai is certainly amazing.
@romankotas448
It really ties the video together
@matthewchunk3689
Better post Sex Pistols career: Johnny or Sid?
@Jazna1
Here we are, December of 2023, and this song still sounds good to me. This was a favorite of mine years ago when I lived in San Francisco. Thinking of those who have lost loved ones this year. Love and best wishes to all from Seattle.
@dmitriyN73
О чем эта песня?