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.
Go Back
Public Image Ltd. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's not hard to tell
When you know in your heart
That it's wrong
'Cause your thoughts are not here
And you're making it clear
That the one you love is gone
Well, I can't tell you your life, no
I can't tell you what to do
But you know, yes, you know
That's it's true
I think you better go back
Go back to your lover, go back
He's the one you really love
Go back, go back to your bed
I said, go back
He's the one you're thinking of
Go back, go back to your bed
I said go back, girl
As fast as you can, go back
Now you look good to me
Still, I can't help but see
You've been thinking of him
All the time
And you know it's not right
When you kiss me tonight
You pretend his lips are mine
Yeah, I can't tell you your life, no
I can't tell you what to do
But you know, yes, you know
That it's true
I think you better go back
Go back to your lover, go back
He's the one you really love
Go back, go back to your bed
I said, go back
He's the one you're thinking of
Go back, go back to your bed
I said, go back, girl
As fast as you can
Go back, whooooooa
Go back, go back to your lover
Go back
Go back, go back to your bed
I said, go back
The song Go Back by Public Image Ltd. is a statement about a love triangle, with the singer urging their partner to return to their original lover. The song opens with the singer telling their partner that they don't hold them so well, which is an indication that something is wrong. The singer knows that their partner has been thinking of someone else and is no longer emotionally present in the relationship. The chorus asks the partner to go back to their former lover as they are the ones they truly love. The singer even tells their partner that when they kiss them, they pretend it's their lover's lips they are kissing.
Despite the singer's wishes, they concede that it's not their place to tell their partner what to do. The singer only wants their partner to realise that their thoughts are still with their previous lover, and they need to go back to them. The final verse underscores this sentiment, telling the partner that they look good to them, but they can't ignore that they have been thinking of their former lover the whole time.
The song Go Back explores the complexities of love, heartbreak, and relationships. It's a lament on how we can't force someone to love us and that sometimes it's best to let go and allow them to go back to what they know.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't hold me so well
Your touch doesn't convey love and affection anymore
And it's not hard to tell
It's very easy to notice this change in you
When you know in your heart
Your inner feelings and desires confirm this too
That it's wrong
The relationship between us is not right
'Cause your thoughts are not here
You're mentally and emotionally not present here with me
And you're making it clear
Your actions and behavior are indicating the same
That the one you love is gone
Your love for me has vanished and someone else is occupying your heart
Well, I can't tell you your life, no
It's not my place to dictate or control your life decisions
I can't tell you what to do
You are the only one who can decide and take action accordingly
But you know, yes, you know
It's not a mystery to you and you are aware of your true feelings
That's it's true
The reality is that you love someone else and not me
I think you better go back
It's better for you to return to the person you truly love
He's the one you really love
Your heart belongs to him and not me
Go back, go back to your bed
It's time for you to physically and emotionally reconnect with him
I said, go back
I emphasize the importance of this decision
He's the one you're thinking of
Even when you're with me, your mind is still on him
Now you look good to me
You still appear attractive and appealing to me
Still, I can't help but see
It's impossible for me to ignore the truth about your feelings
You've been thinking of him
Your thoughts and emotions are directed towards him
All the time
This has been going on for a while now
And you know it's not right
You're aware that this is unfair and wrong towards me
When you kiss me tonight
Even when you're intimate with me, you're thinking of him
You pretend his lips are mine
You're faking your feelings and emotions towards me
As fast as you can
I urge you to act quickly and not prolong this situation
Go back, whooooooa
An additional emphasis to return to your true love
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: KEITH LEVENE, JOHN LYDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Melanie Brandt
That funky little guitar riff gets me every time.
Melanie Brandt
This is on my mind at any given time in life.
Doug Smith
Some kind of futuristic minimalist roboto noise funk
There's no denying that the drumming and, Lydon's cadence are funky as hell...
Levene's guitar snd keys are whack...but so awesome
Tomversal
Totally agree, just recorded a cover of this and those drums are impossible to get down (did it with drum programming sadly I don't have a real kit) and had to use guitar Harmonix instead of the keys because I don't have a keyboard XD
revgin
great song..great album
larch larch
beautiful underrated album. genuis !
fiouk
Don't ever look back, good days ahead
PostPunkFan
Second favorite song on the album.
luz eterna
this sounds like a funky version of poptones
kaewonf8
Have a cup of tea good days ahead