As the years progressed, the PiL line-up would change, adding renowned drummer Martin Atkins in 1979 as the direction of the band evolved. Compared to their first three albums, the later 1980's/early 1990's period saw a more conventional sound to the musical aspect, but still retaining Lydon's biting lyrics. The album compact disc (aka Album or Cassette, depending on what format you have it on), recorded by Lydon with a slate of studio musicians organized by producer Bill Laswell, is considered the artistic highpoint of this period of PiL's evolution. PiL reached their commercial zenith with their aptly titled ninth album, 9, during 1989/1990.
PiL kept going as a Lydon project until 1993, when Lydon disbanded the group. Their final lineup consisted of Lydon, Ted Chau (guitar, keyboards), Mike Joyce of The Smiths (drums), John McGeoch of Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees (guitar), and Russel Webb (bass).
In September 2009, Lydon announced that the band would reform, including earlier members Bruce Smith and Lu Edmonds, for a number of Christmas shows in the UK. The One Drop Songfacts reports that Lydon financed the reunion using money he earned doing a UK television commercial for Country Life butter. This Is PiL, the band’s first album for 20 years was recorded at Steve Winwood’s studio, which is located in a barn, in the middle of the Cotswolds in southern England. It was released on May 28, 2012.
Body
Public Image Ltd. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Body
We want
We want
Body
We want
We want
Body
We want
Body
We Want
When you run about - without precautions
You'll get diseases - need abortions
And up till now - no vaccination
Can give you back your reputation
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
Cathy go home - without your daughter
In a welfare state - she'll be wll looked after
And it's easy now - this other person
Is off your back - not a burden
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
Body!
When you run about - without precautions
You'll get diseases - need abortions
And up till now - no vaccination
Can give you back your reputation
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
We want - We want your body
Your body!
The lyrics to Public Image Ltd's "The Body" are dark and unsettling, touching on themes of objectification and control. The repetitive chanting of "We want your body" throughout the song creates a sense of urgency and desire, as though the singer is demanding possession of another's physical form. The second verse further emphasizes this with the line "Cathy go home - without your daughter / In a welfare state - she'll be well looked after", indicating a desire to separate a mother from her child and take ownership of the daughter's body as well.
The verses themselves are also disturbing, discussing the consequences of unprotected sex and the lack of effective solutions for preventing disease and unwanted pregnancy. The line "And up till now - no vaccination / Can give you back your reputation" adds a layer of shame and consequence to these actions, as though the only way to redeem oneself is to give up their body to the demanding voice in the song.
Overall, "The Body" is a powerful and uncomfortable commentary on the way society views and commodifies bodies, particularly those of women and children.
Line by Line Meaning
We want
The singer wants something
Body
The singer wants a physical body
We want
The singer continues to want something
We want
The singer once again expresses the desire for something
Body
The singer reiterates the desire for a physical body
We want
The singer still wants something
We want
The singer expresses the same desire again
Body
The singer repeats the desire for a physical body
We want
The singer continues to express wanting something
We want
The singer continues to express the same sentiment
Body
The singer once again announces the desire for a physical body
We Want
An intensification of the previous desires
When you run about - without precautions
Sexual promiscuity can lead to undesirable outcomes
You'll get diseases - need abortions
Unprotected sex can lead to the transmission of diseases and unwanted pregnancies
And up till now - no vaccination
No vaccine exists for the social consequences of poor sexual choices
Can give you back your reputation
One's social standing can be irreparably harmed by poor sexual decisions
We want - We want your body
Reiteration of the desire for a physical body
We want - We want your body
Reiteration of the previous statement
We want - We want your body
A restatement of the desire for a physical body
Cathy go home - without your daughter
Cathy, the mother, is instructed to return home without her child
In a welfare state - She'll be well looked after
The state will provide for the child
And it's easy now - This other person
Cathy can now be free of the burden of raising a child
Is off your back - Not a burden
Cathy's newfound freedom from care can be liberating
Body!
An exclamation of the desire for a physical body
When you run about - without precautions
Reiteration of the earlier warning regarding sexual promiscuity
You'll get diseases - need abortions
Reiteration of the potential consequences of unprotected sex
And up till now - no vaccination
Reiteration that there is no cure for one's social reputation once it is damaged
Can give you back your reputation
Reiteration of the earlier sentiment
We want - We want your body
Repeated desire for a physical body
We want - We want your body
Repeated desire for a physical body
We want - We want your body
Repeated desire for a physical body
Your body!
An exclamation of the desire for a specific physical body
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DIAS, EDMONDS, LYDON, MCGEOCH, SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SPXclothing
One of P.I.L.'s best songs ever! Hope they play it at Coachella!!
@crh4878
this song has been in my head for the last few days. Very catcy and unique at once. A true original...PIL
@tommybass40
I remember dancing to this back at Krypton's (NY/CT border) in the late 80's. PiL, New Order, Furs, DM, Smiths, Cure Flesh for Lulu, Ministry, Shriekback, Sisters of Mercy, Chameleons UK, Bolshoi......those were the days.
@gosplash
It's what I admire about John Lydon. He never backs down and says what he feels. That's eternally admirable in my books.
@drogheda1966
Been listening to 'Happy?' for 20 years now, just saw the vid, hilarious. Lightens the album up a bit, in a way.
@girlbehindthecamera
Saw PiL in 1992. Great show!
@TheSTRATONIKOS
Perhaps the PIL they is the underground group that was presented in the history of ROCK and o ROTTEN the leading representative. We loved him and him we will always love. NICK FROM PESTERED GREECE.
@lydonfan
PiL my all time favourite band...its not a crime not to be commercially successful!! Kudos to the band for making the music they wanted...
@Hacker73
Nothing bad for an Irish guy born in London at the same daywhen his immigrant parents came to England. Despite -- and even because? -- the meningitis, the total ammnesya at his 8, the curve on his spine, the lack of musical education... HE IS THE BEST! Love him or hate him: this man broke the Music History in 2 parts: Before and After the Punk. HE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE ENTIRE POP CULTURE HISTORY. He changed the course of rivers of thoughts. The rest is the rest.
@Killerofsoapbubbles
Great song! Johnny was hot!