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 bandâs first album for 20 years was recorded at Steve Winwoodâs studio, which is located in a barn, in the middle of the Cotswolds in southern England. It was released on May 28, 2012.
Public Image
Public Image Ltd. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha.
You never listen to word that I said
You only seen me
For the clothes that I wear
Or did the interest go so much deeper
It must have been
The colour of my hair.
Public image.
What you wanted was never made clear
Behind the image was ignorance and fear
You hide behind his public machine
Still follow the same old scheme.
Public image.
Two sides to every story
Somebody had to stop me
I'm not the same as when I began
I will not be treated as property.
Public image.
Two sides to every story
Somebody had to stop me
I'm not the same as when I began
It's not a game of Monopoly.
Public image.
Public image you got what you wanted
The Public Image belongs to me
It's my entrance
My own creation
My grand finale
My goodbye
Public image.
Public image.
Goodbye.
In the song Public Image by Public Image Ltd., the lyrics are speaking to the idea of being seen only for a certain image or persona, rather than for who one truly is. The repeated hello's and ha's can be seen as sarcastic and mocking, as if to say that despite all of the attention and recognition they are receiving, they are still not being truly seen or heard. The lyrics suggest that the interest in this public image is only surface-deep, with the only things noticed being the clothes and the hair color.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that behind this public image is ignorance and fear, suggesting that the people who are attracted to this image are not seeing the whole picture. The singer goes on to point out that they will not be treated as property, highlighting the idea that people are using these images for their own purposes without understanding the real person underneath. The final lines of the song emphasize the importance of the singer's individuality and creativity, with the image and persona belonging to them rather than being owned by anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello. Hello.
Repetition of greeting to grab attention
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha.
Laughing sarcastically at the listener for not listening
You never listen to word that I said
Claiming that the listener ignores the singer
You only seen me
For the clothes that I wear
Or did the interest go so much deeper
It must have been
The colour of my hair.
Suspecting that the listener judges the artist by appearance
Public image.
What you wanted was never made clear
Behind the image was ignorance and fear
You hide behind his public machine
Still follow the same old scheme.
Public image is a facade, not revealing true intentions, just playing safe
Two sides to every story
Somebody had to stop me
I'm not the same as when I began
I will not be treated as property.
The singer has evolved, gained perspective and control and will not be controlled
Public image.
Public image you got what you wanted
The Public Image belongs to me
It's my entrance
My own creation
My grand finale
My goodbye
Public image.
Public image.
Goodbye.
Public image is a myth that the singer created and will now discard, sarcastically bidding farewell to it and the listeners
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JAMES WALKER, JOHN LYDON, JOHN WARDLE, KEITH LEVENE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@richardmuir694
"The ordinary will ignore whatever they cannot explain" love it
@mortifiedpenguin3258
Still Relevant sir.
@isaiasbv87
Pretty much today 2022
@unbroken1010
And they did mental gymnastics for pronouns
@MrShaunsk
'And if nothing happens, then everything remains the same again"
@culwin
@@unbroken1010 Having lost their hate campaign against every other group, race, religion, and sexuality, Conservatives turned their hatred to transgender people. GFY fash.
@seanflynn9450
Johnnyâs vocals at his best and John McGeoghâs guitar is flawless. Brilliant tune.
@muppetrowlf1473
One of Britainâs great guitarists. And it must be true because Budgie said so.
@ravingmavis5801
He was fabulous
@mariomesenarias4218
One of the best, we surely miss old Mcgeogh a truly inspirational person.