When I played in E, I could get this modal type of drone thing. When people do this, they usually use different tunings and that's quite hip because you get an effect. But what happens is unless you're really subtractive or dubby with your own playing, you've got to be able to put your foot on the gas and take it right off again. If you don't do that, you're playing through some kind of trick. I figured the only way around that was the disintegration of playing the guitar as a drone instrument. That was sort of innately out of tune with itself except for the fact that you could cover that because you had a low E and a high E. So it was just a question of how you handled that as to how it would work.
If you play "Memories," you play (it) in E. If you take the same thing and play it one fret higher but leave the other strings along, then that's the Spanish tune I was talking about. All I'm doing when I'm playing those notes over the top, I just had the guitar going through an Electric Mistress, which was the only effect I used when I played live.'
Interview with Keith Levene, May 2001.
Memories
Public Image Ltd. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At acting attitudes
Remember ridicule
It should be clear by now
Clear by now
Your words are useless
Full of excuses
False confidence
Used you well
I could be wrong
It could be hate
As far as I can see
Clinging desperatley
Imagining pretending
No personality
Dragging on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on
I think you're slightly late
Slightly late
This person's had enough of usless memories
Always remember
Twisted amenities
Could be wrong
This person's had enough of usless memories
Always remember
Twisted amenities
Out of order
Out of order
It could be worse
You're losing all the time
I could be wrong
Could be worse
You're losing all the time
I let you stay to long
I could be wrong
Could be wrong
Whatever past
Could never last
All in your mind
Where it all began
You're doing wrong
It's not the movies
And you're old.
The lyrics of the song Memories by Public Image Ltd. describe a person who experiences shame and ridicule due to their attitudes and false confidence. The person is clinging desperately to something and imagining things, with no real personality. The song talks about how this person has had enough of useless memories and twisted amenities, suggesting that they need to move on from their past and stop dwelling on things that are no longer relevant.
The lyrics also touch upon issues of self-awareness and personal growth, as the singer suggests that this person is losing all the time and that they need to let go of the past in order to move forward. The line "it's not the movies" suggests that the person is living in a fantasy world and needs to take a more realistic approach to their life.
Overall, the song seems to be a warning about the dangers of holding on to useless memories and not being self-aware enough to recognize our own faults and flaws. It encourages listeners to embrace change and focus on the present moment in order to achieve personal growth and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
You make me feel ashamed
Your behavior causes me to feel embarrassed
At acting attitudes
Putting on a fake persona
Remember ridicule
Recall the times when others mocked you
It should be clear by now
The truth is obvious
Your words are useless
What you say holds no value
Full of excuses
You constantly make up reasons for your actions
False confidence
You act confident, but it's an act
Someone has used you well
Another person has taken advantage of you
I could be wrong
It's possible that my opinions are incorrect
It could be hate
Your actions could be motivated by malice
As far as I can see
From my point of view
Clinging desperately
Holding on tightly, even if it's not serving you well
Imagining pretending
Living in a fantasy world
No personality
You lack a distinct character
Dragging on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on
Continuing for far too long
I think you're slightly late
You're not up-to-date
This person's had enough of useless memories
Always remember
Twisted amenities
Could be wrong
The artist is tired of dwelling on negative memories, but acknowledges that they may not be impartial
Out of order
Not in the right sequence
It could be worse
You should be grateful that things aren't worse
You're losing all the time
You're consistently failing
I let you stay too long
I should have ended our relationship sooner
Whatever past
Could never last
The past cannot persist forever
All in your mind
It's a figment of your imagination
Where it all began
The starting point of a particular situation
You're doing wrong
Your actions are misguided
It's not the movies
And you're old.
Real life is not like the movies, and you're past your prime.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STUART BARRY SMITH, KELLY HANSEN, RAY RODRIGUEZ JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tankakern
You make me feel ashamed
At acting attitudes
Remember ridicule
It should be clear by now
Clear by now
Your words are useless
Full of excuses
False confidence
Someone has used you well (Oh, used you)
Used you well
I could be wrong
It could be hate
As far as I can see clinging desperately
Imagining pretending
No personality
Dragging on and on and on and on
And on and on and on and on
I think you're slightly late
Slightly late
This person's had enough of useless memories
Always remember
Twisted amenities
Could be wrong
This person's had enough of useless memories
Always remember me
Twisted amenities (Twisted amenities)
Out of order
Out of order
It could be worse
You're losing all the time
I let you stay too long
I could be wrong
Could be worse
It could be worse
You're losing all the time
I let you stay too long
I could be wrong
Could be wrong
Whatever pass could never last
All in your mind
Where it all began
You're doing wrong
It's not the movies
And you're old
OSTAP BENDERVAN
to any one out there
in 82 this sound totally different
what the fuck
now it so beautiful
27 yrs since i last put thiS on
holy fuck this a masterpiece
along with eno
hope kanye never hear this or flipper
think he invent it
David James Chamberlain
The production on this track is insane
Filton Kingswood
Damn Straight.
Cody Green's Mom's Broken Vibrator
Over three decades old, but still 50 years ahead of it's time.
GONTIER FRANCOIS
Yes
James Davis
it sucks
iamnotcoolandproud
Easily one of PiL's greatest songs, up there with Public Image, Religion and Warrior. Rise and Low Life are both fucking awesome as well.
danielscissorhands
Don't forget Home
speed kingLTHL1882
My favorite is Annalisa but it's all a matter of perspective
Maria Ramirez
"Careering" live on Top Of The Pops
Chedda Cheese
Holy fuck that singing is incredible. Johnny is at really demonstrating the incredible skill of punk singing. He is singing with such a passion in the punk style that it is comparable to an opera.