'Then Wobble started again and he's playing a new bass line- dum-dum-dum-du… Read Full Bio ↴'Then Wobble started again and he's playing a new bass line- dum-dum-dum-dum, dum-dum-dum (from "Albatross"). I looked at Richard like 'just start playing.' He knew it was OK to do anything 'cause we had this talk. I said 'if you do something and you think it's out of time and I'm nodding, just keep doing it.' That's how we worked things out. He was nervous but he was up for it.

So Wobble's doing his thing and Richard started at the right time. We got it off in one take. It happened as you hear it. As soon as Richard started playing, I just started making the noises I made and John just started singing 'slow motion.' That was it. I didn't know John had those words, I made up that tune as I went along, Wobble made up what he did as he went along. We knew it sounded a bit weird but it was alright with everyone. By the end of it, you could tell we had enough of it, with the funny noises and John yelling in terminal boredom 'only the lonely.' We had a serious playback and we all looked at each other and I said 'we've got this, haven't we? Sounds like the Doors, doesn't it? Let's keep it.' So we kept it on its own reel to give it space.'

Interview with Keith Levene, May 2001.

Albatross
Public Image Ltd Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Slow motion, slow motion
Getting rid of the albatross
Sowing the seeds of discontent
I know you very well, you are unbearable
I've seen you up far too close
Getting rid of the albatross

Frying rear blinds

If I wanted
Should I really
If I run away, run away

Riding along on the crest of the wave
Getting rid of the albatross
Another will not forget
I know you very well

Run away, run away
Should I
I run away
Getting rid of the albatross
I know you very well, you are unbearable
I see you far too close
If I wanted to, if

Run away, run away
I ran away, I ran away

Overall Meaning

The song "Albatross" by Public Image Ltd is about getting rid of a burden or an obstacle that holds you back. The main metaphor in the song is the albatross, a seabird that is often seen as a symbol of bad luck, burden, guilt or shame. The lyrics suggest that the singer is slowly but surely getting rid of this albatross that has been weighing them down by sowing the seeds of discontent and riding along on the crest of the wave. The song also implies that the singer knows someone who is unbearable and has seen them up far too close. It's possible that the person represents the albatross in the metaphor and the singer is trying to distance themselves from them.

Line by Line Meaning

Slow motion, slow motion
The process is happening at a slow pace, with time being taken to ensure its completion.

Getting rid of the albatross
Eliminating a burdensome problem that has been weighing one down for too long.

Sowing the seeds of discontent
Planting the seeds of dissatisfaction among people to foment rebellion or social change.

I know you very well, you are unbearable
Having a deep familiarity with someone and finding them insufferable, difficult to endure.

I've seen you up far too close
Having directly experienced someone's unpleasant qualities, having been too near to them for comfort.

Frying rear blinds
Possibly a nonsensical phrase or a reference to something obscure or personal to the artist, lacking a clear explanation.

If I wanted
An expression of hypothetical possibility or desire, questioning whether a certain action would be pursued given another set of circumstances.

Should I really
A rhetorical question regarding the validity or wisdom of taking a particular action.

If I run away, run away
Considering the option of escape, fleeing from a situation or problem.

Riding along on the crest of the wave
Experiencing success or good fortune, being at the height of one's abilities or potential.

Another will not forget
Others will remember the actions or reputation of the singer, perhaps implying that these actions will have consequences or affect how they are viewed in the future.

Run away, run away
Repeating the idea of escape or avoidance, possibly reflecting anxiety or frustration.

I know you very well
Repeating the idea of familiarity, suggesting that the singer has a deep understanding of someone or something.

Getting rid of the albatross
Repeating the idea of removing a burden or obstacle, perhaps indicating that this is a central theme of the song.

If I wanted to, if
Repeating the phrase from earlier, continuing to explore the hypothetical idea of taking an action.

I ran away, I ran away
Repeating the idea of escape or avoidance, reinforcing the notion that the artist is contemplating leaving behind a difficult situation.

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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