The band is comprised of vocalist Johnny Rotten, guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook, and bassist Glen Matlock. Matlock left the band in 1977 and was replaced by Sid Vicious, who remained until the band's initial 1978 breakup. Matlock rejoined the band for their 1996 reunion and has remained with them throughout most subsequent reunions, including the most recent, in 2008.
Sex Pistols were managed by the infamous Malcolm McLaren, after he saw Johnny Rotten sporting a Pink Floyd shirt with "I hate" scribbled on. Impressed by Johnny Rotten's attitude, McLaren brought Rotten to audition for frontman of The Strand, the band that would later become the Sex Pistols. The Sex Pistols have been described by the BBC as "the definitive English punk rock band" and are widely credited with initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and creating the first generation gap within rock and roll.
Sex Pistols emerged as a response to what was perceived to be the increasingly safe and bloated progressive rock and manufactured pop music of the mid-1970s. The band created various controversies during their brief career, which captivated England but often eclipsed their music. Their shows and tours repeatedly faced difficulties from authorities, and public appearances often ended in disaster and riot. Their 1977 single, God Save the Queen, released during the build up to the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, was widely regarded as an attack on the British monarchy and British Nationalism.
The group broke up in 1978 amid a turbulent tour of the United States, but reunited in 1996 for the "Filthy Lucre" tour, and have staged subsequent reunion tours in 2002 and 2003. On 24 February 2006, The Sex Pistols were officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but refused to attend the induction, calling the museum a "piss stain".
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut album, The Sex Pistols reunited for 7 live shows. They played 5 nights at the Brixton Academy in London between 8 November and 14 November, 1 night at the MEN Arena in Manchester, and 1 night at the SECC in Glasgow. The band last performed live in 2008 are are currently on hiatus as John Lydon tours with Public Image Ltd., which reunited in 2009.
Dolls
Sex Pistols Lyrics
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You're made in Japan from cheese and chalk
You're hippy tarts hero 'cos you put on a bad show
You put on a bad show, oh don't it show
Still, out on those pills
Do you remember?
You're looking bored and you're acting flash
With nothing in your gut you better keep your mouth shut
You better keep your mouth shut in a rut
Still, out on those pills
Do you remember?
Four years on you still look the same
I think it's 'bout time you changed your brain
You're just a pile of shit, you're coming to this
Poor little faggot, you're sealed with a kiss
Four years on you still look the same
I think it's 'bout time you changed your brain
You're just a pile of shit, you're coming to this
Poor little faggot, you're sealed with a kiss
Still, out on those pills
Thought you cahnged
Looking for a kiss
A kiss, a kiss you're looking for a kiss
Looking for a kiss, you're coming to this
Four years on you still look the same
I think it's 'bout time you changed your brain
A kiss, a kiss, looking for a kiss
Now, now, now
The Sex Pistols' song "Dolls" is a scathing commentary on the music industry and those who participate in it for the wrong reasons. The lyrics insult the "imitation from New York," who is made in Japan "from cheese and chalk," referring to the manufactured and fake nature of many pop stars. The line "You're hippy tarts hero 'cos you put on a bad show" criticizes the audiences who worship these fake stars while they put on subpar performances. The repeated line "still out on those pills, do you remember?" highlights the drug culture in the music industry, as well as the potential for artists to lose themselves in a haze of substances.
The second verse continues the criticism of the music industry and the fake stars who thrive in it. The line "with nothing in your gut, you better keep your mouth shut" calls attention to the lack of substance and authenticity in these pop stars while encouraging them to stay quiet. The third and final verse is perhaps the most confrontational, referring to the "poor little faggot" who is "just a pile of shit" sealed with a kiss. This line is a direct attack on those who exploit their sexuality for fame and fortune, rather than being true to themselves.
Overall, "Dolls" is a biting commentary on the superficiality and commodification of the music industry, as well as the dangers of losing oneself in drugs and artificial personas.
Line by Line Meaning
An imitation from New York
You try to be someone you're not from New York
You're made in Japan from cheese and chalk
You're fake and lack substance, like a toy made in Japan
You're hippy tarts hero 'cos you put on a bad show
You may be admired by some hippies, but they don't realize that your performance is poor
You put on a bad show, oh don't it show
Your lack of talent is noticeable to everyone
Still, out on those pills
Despite the passage of time, you're still addicted to drugs
Do you remember?
Asking if the person remembers certain events, possibly recalling their past behavior
Think it's swell playing Max's Kansas
You may enjoy playing at Max's Kansas, but it doesn't make you a great musician
You're looking bored and you're acting flash
You seem uninterested and are trying too hard to look cool
With nothing in your gut you better keep your mouth shut
Since you have nothing meaningful to say, you should remain silent
You better keep your mouth shut in a rut
If you're stuck in this position, you should refrain from acting like you know it all
Four years on you still look the same
Describing someone who hasn't changed much despite the passage of time
I think it's 'bout time you changed your brain
It's time for you to rethink your approach and make some changes
You're just a pile of shit, you're coming to this
You're worthless and your realization of it is catching up to you
Poor little faggot, you're sealed with a kiss
Using a derogatory term to describe the person and implying that their fate is sealed
Looking for a kiss
Stating that the person is seeking approval or validation
A kiss, a kiss you're looking for a kiss
Repeating that the person is seeking validation
Looking for a kiss, you're coming to this
Implying that the person is desperate for attention and will stoop to low levels to get it
Now, now, now
May be used to indicate a sense of urgency or importance
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLEN MATLOCK, JOHN LYDON, PAUL THOMAS COOK, STEVE (GB 1) JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind