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.
Religion
Public Image Ltd. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While the hypocrites hide inside
With the lies of statues in their minds
Where the Christian religion made them blind
Where they hide
And prey to the God of a bitch spelled backwards is dog
Not for one race, one creed, one world
But for money
Absurd
Do you pray to the Holy Ghost when you suck your host
Do you read who's dead in the Irish Post
Do you give away the cash you can't afford
On bended knees and pray to lord
Fat pig priest
Sanctimonious smiles
He takes the money
You take the lies
This is religion and Jesus Christ
This is religion cheaply priced
This is bibles full of libel
This is sin in eternal hymn
This is what they've done
This is your religion
The apostles were eleven
Now there's a sod in Heaven
This is religion
There's a liar on the altar
The sermon never falter
This is religion
Your religion
The song "Religion I" by Public Image Ltd. is a scathing critique of organized religion and the hypocrisy of those who claim to be religious. The opening lines describe stained glass windows that keep the cold outside, symbolizing the idea that religion can offer a sense of comfort and protection from the harsh realities of life. However, the following line reveals the true nature of those who hide inside the church – hypocrites who are blinded by the lies of statues and Christian dogma. The line "Where they hide and prey to the God of a bitch spelled backwards is dog" is particularly clever wordplay, suggesting that those who worship blindly are essentially bowing down to something that is the opposite of divine.
The second verse continues the scathing critique with references to the Holy Ghost, the Irish Post, and bending down to pray to the lord. The imagery of a "fat pig priest" with "sanctimonious smiles" taking money from those who are desperate for spiritual guidance is particularly vivid. The line "This is religion and Jesus Christ, this is religion cheaply priced" suggests that the true message of Christianity has been co-opted by the wealthy and powerful for their own gain, reducing it to a commodity to be bought and sold.
The final verse is a bitter indictment of organized religion as a whole, with references to apostles, sin, and eternal hymns. The line "This is what they've done, this is your religion" is a direct challenge to those who continue to follow organized religion despite its many flaws and hypocrisies. The apostles were once pure and true, but now there is a "sod in Heaven" – a reference to the corrupted state of modern religion.
Overall, "Religion I" is a powerful song that asks important questions about the role of organized religion in society and the true nature of faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Stained glass windows keep the cold outside
The church creates a physical barrier between the outside world and its congregation.
While the hypocrites hide inside
Many churchgoers do not practice what they preach.
With the lies of statues in their minds
Church members rely on false idols to guide them.
Where the Christian religion made them blind
The church restricts its members from thinking outside of the predetermined religious guidelines.
Where they hide
The church provides refuge for people who are looking to escape reality.
And prey to the God of a bitch spelled backwards is dog
The church's teachings are nonsensical and do not actually make sense.
Not for one race, one creed, one world
The church is not inclusive and only caters to specific demographics.
But for money
The church's primary motivation is financial gain.
Do you pray to the Holy Ghost when you suck your host
The church's rituals are strange and nonsensical.
Do you read who's dead in the Irish Post
The church instills certain cultural practices in its followers.
Do you give away the cash you can't afford
The church's teachings can be financially exploitative.
On bended knees and pray to lord
The church positions itself as the ultimate authority and requires its members to submit to its teachings.
Fat pig priest
The church is full of corrupt leaders.
Sanctimonious smiles
Church leaders feign piety to manipulate their congregations.
He takes the money
The church exploits its members financially.
You take the lies
Church doctrine is often built on false premises.
This is religion and Jesus Christ
The church presents itself as an authority on Christian teachings.
This is religion cheaply priced
The church's offerings are of low quality.
This is bibles full of libel
The church's holy texts contain falsehoods and inaccuracies.
This is sin in eternal hymn
The church perpetuates harmful doctrines.
This is what they've done
The church's history is full of atrocities.
This is your religion
The church relies on blind faith from its members.
The apostles were eleven
The church is not based on sound logic or reason.
Now there's a sod in Heaven
The church's teachings are illogical and poorly conceived.
There's a liar on the altar
Church leaders regularly lie to their congregations.
The sermon never falter
The church is unwavering in its teachings, regardless of their accuracy or impact.
This is religion
The song is a commentary on the poor state of organized religion.
Your religion
The song is specifically addressing the listeners' relationship to religion.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAMES WALKER, JOHN LYDON, JOHN JOSEPH WARDLE, KEITH LEVINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greg Fox
I remember when it came out, thought it was absolutely amazing, still do today. Such brilliant lyrics!!
Chris Pope
awesome song! both parts of it are amazing, but together they really give religion the finger the way it should be done!
Peter Lancaster
👍👌
James Baker
Would you include Islam? ..........
Marsh Wetland
@James Baker I will.
Alina Zarańska
i agree
Peter Lancaster
This is my favourite hymn!!
kate davenporty
mine too.
VincentRE79
@Peter Lancaster This should have been a Sex Pistols song.
Brewzerr
@VincentRE79 It was written while Lydon was still in the Pistols, and presented to the rest of the Pistols (and subsequently rejected), but I just don't think it would have had the same depth (as a Pistols song) as it does with PiL.