Theme
Public Image Ltd Lyrics


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(scream)
Theme
Now I understand (ha, ha, ha)

Now I understand (ha, ha, ha)
Theme going on and on and on
It's not the same anymore
No, never, never no
Wish
Wish
Wish I could die

Now walk alone
Now walk in drain
Does not compute
Not a cliche
And I wish I could die (ha, ha, ha)

Random
There is only one reaction
You must never underestimate
And I wish I
And I wish I could die (ha, ha, ha)

Now understand
Now I understand
It doesn't matter no more
Another leap in the dark
I will survive
And I wish I could die
And I wish I could die
And I wish I
I wish I
I wish I could die (ha, ha, ha)

It's only excuses
Never mistaking
Rhyme or reason
No, never no never
And I wish I could die
And I wish I
And I wish I could die (ha, ha, ha)
I wish I could die

Understand
Theme's going on
On and on and on
I wish I could die

No, never no more
Does not compute
Walk alone out of the drain
It's not cliche
Wish I
Wish
Wish I could die
And I wish I could die (ha, ha, ha)
And I wish I could die

On and on and on and on
Will survive
I wish I could die
I will survive
I wish I could die

Understanding doesn't matter no more
Leap in the dark
I will survive
Wish I could die
Wish I could die
Wish I could die
Wish I could die





I just died
Terminal boredom

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Public Image Ltd's "Theme" are a stream of consciousness reflection on the theme of self-destructiveness. The repeated refrain of "Now I understand" suggests a growing realization of the futility of the singer's actions. The line "It's not the same anymore" implies a sense of nostalgia for a time when things seemed easier or better, while "No, never, never no" reinforces the disillusionment of the present. The repeated "Wish I could die" appears to be a self-flagellating response to these emotions, although the addition of "ha, ha, ha" suggests a level of irony or detachment.


The middle of the song takes a turn towards abstraction, with references to walking alone and in the drain, and the line "Does not compute / Not a cliche" indicating a resistance to easy categorization or understanding. The repeated "And I wish I" leading up to "could die" implies a sense of hesitation, as if the singer is unable or unwilling to act on their self-destructive impulses.


The final section of the song sees a return to the opening theme, with the repetition of "Now understand" and a reaffirmation of survival. The closing line of "Terminal boredom" could be read as a bleak reference to the inevitability of death, although it could also be interpreted as a rejection of the mundane and a desire for something more.


Line by Line Meaning

(scream)
The song begins with a scream, indicating intense emotion.


Now I understand (ha, ha, ha)
The singer has gained a new understanding, possibly sarcastic ('ha, ha, ha').


Theme going on and on and on
The 'theme' (of the song, or something else) persists endlessly.


It's not the same anymore
Something has changed, and things are not as they used to be.


No, never, never no
The artist is emphatic about the previous line, emphasizing the change.


Wish
The singer is expressing a desire or hope, which is repeated throughout the song.


Wish
Repetition of the previous line, highlighting the importance of the wish.


Wish I could die
The artist desires death, which may represent a wish to escape or end their suffering.


Now walk alone
The artist is now on their own, without any support or companionship.


Now walk in drain
The artist is feeling trapped, possibly in a metaphorical 'drain' or difficult situation.


Does not compute
The situation or circumstances do not make sense, or cannot be easily understood.


Not a cliche
The artist is rejecting common or trite expressions or ideas.


Random
Possibly a reference to the chaotic or unpredictable nature of the singer's thoughts or feelings.


There is only one reaction
The singer believes there is only one possible response or outcome to the situation.


You must never underestimate
The singer is warning against underestimating something, possibly the severity of the situation.


And I wish I
Repetition of the previous wish, expressing the intensity of the desire.


I wish I could die (ha, ha, ha)
Reiteration of the desire for death, with the sarcastic 'ha, ha, ha' suggesting desperation or madness.


It doesn't matter no more
Whatever was important before is no longer relevant or significant.


Another leap in the dark
The singer is facing another unknown or risky situation, possibly referring to the future.


I will survive
The artist is determined to endure and overcome their challenges.


And I wish I
Repetition of the wish, showing its persistence and importance.


And I wish I could die (ha, ha, ha)
Continued desire for death, with the sarcastic laughter suggesting despair or hopelessness.


It's only excuses
The singer is dismissing any excuses or justifications for the situation or their behavior.


Never mistaking
The artist believes they are always correct or accurate in their perceptions or choices.


Rhyme or reason
The singer cannot find any sense or logic in the situation or their actions.


No, never no never
Reiteration of the previous line, emphasizing the lack of understanding or explanation.


On and on and on and on
Repetition of the 'theme', emphasizing its unceasing nature.


Will survive
Reiteration of the determination to overcome and endure, possibly with a reference to the song's title.


I just died
Possible metaphorical expression of despair or defeat, rather than literal death.


Terminal boredom
Closing line of the song, which may refer to a sense of existential emptiness or lack of purpose.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DONAT WALKER JAMES, JOHN LYDON, KEITH LEVENE, JOHN JOSEPH WARDLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Silver Snail14

The sound of suicidal depression. Wishing you could die but knowing that you're inevitably going to survive and drag yourself through another day, they nailed it perfectly in one blistering nine-minute hailstorm.

curmudgeon

Beautiful.

TheCaptainsquiggle

@The Former Nihilist Not that anyone cares, but you cannot deny that he was, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. OP might use this as an out for his depression as well as the artist (unless it's just a hangover) and that's good. We have to be careful and make clear, we do not want to encourage it or make it seem "cool". I think you should always try and get over it. For me the comment and ths song were quite triggering and I couldn't listen to it the whole way through, but after a couple more trys there's more to be had from this song.

The emo style as a whole also romatisises depression to a certain extent is that a bad thing? idk. You will always find ppl trying to act depressed when they have no idea what it actually feels like. Maybe this isn't the forum to discuss this hueh

VomeinsamenMädchen Sophie

@SilverSnail14 ....yes, that's what I suffer from....

Stephen Percival

@VomeinsamenMädchen Sophie
Hope you're ok.

3 More Replies...

Airdrome Account

RIP KEITH LEVENE. Your inspiration traveled through many generations, and we owe you a debt of gratitude that remains immeasurable. Your music and spirit lives on forever. May your memory be a blessing and an inspiration.

Ariya Prajamtan

His guitar work over the nine minutes of Theme, the first track on the first PiL album, defined what alternative music should be. Travel on well Keith Levene RIP

Jenny Hunt

Do you write for Classic Rock then?

YupIHaveOne

RIP Keith Levene . What an amazing innovator on guitar. Never heard a sound like this until PIL!

jfpOne23

I once passed out on my bedroom floor with this song on Repeat. On & on & on & on for hours. The rest of the week went surprisingly well.

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