Pretty Vacant
Sex Pistols Lyrics
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You'll get no reply
Oh just remember a don't decide
I got no reason it's all too much
You'll always find us
Out to lunch
Oh we're so pretty
We're vacant
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
A-vacant
Don't ask us to attend
'Cause we're not all there.
Oh don't pretend 'cause I don't care
I don't believe illusions 'cause too much is real
So stop your cheap comment
'Cause we know what we feel
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
We're vacant
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
A-vacant
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
Ah but now
And we don't care
There's no point in asking
You'll get no reply
Oh just remember a don't decide
I got no reason it's all too much
You'll always find me
Out to lunch, we're outta lunch
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
We're vacant
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
We're vacant
Oh we're so pretty
Oh so pretty
Ah but now
And we don't care
We're pretty a-pretty vacant
We're pretty a-pretty vacant
We're pretty a-pretty vacant
We're pretty a-pretty vacant
We don't care
The Sex Pistols' song "Pretty Vacant" is a reflection of the "do-it-yourself" attitude of the punk rock movement in the 1970s. The lyrics describe a group of people who are unconcerned with anything and who reject the societal expectations placed upon them. They are "vacant," lacking any real purpose or meaning, but they are still viewed as "pretty" since they have no obligations or worries to hold them back. The chorus repeats this sentiment, emphasizing the superficiality of their existence.
The first verse indicates that the group has no answer to the question of their purpose, as if they don't even understand why they exist in the first place. They are too overwhelmed by all of life's uncertainties and complexities, so they choose to simply ignore them and go "out to lunch." The second verse reinforces this idea that the group is not interested in participating in any society's norms or conventions. The singer doesn't care about "illusions" because reality is already "too much" to handle. Any comments made by outsiders are met with indifference since the group is uninterested in and unswayed by other people's perspectives.
Overall, "Pretty Vacant" is a celebration of chaos and individualism, both of which are core tenets of punk rock ideology. Rather than conform to societal expectations or try to make sense of the world, the group embraces their own insignificance and superficiality. They are "vacant" in the sense that they have no meaningful purpose, but they are also "pretty" since they are free from the burdens of responsibility and societal pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no point in asking
Don't bother questioning us
You'll get no reply
We won't answer you
Oh just remember a don't decide
Don't make a decision for me
I got no reason it's all too much
I have no explanation it's overwhelming
You'll always find us
You can always locate us
Out to lunch
We're lost in our thoughts
Oh we're so pretty
We're attractive
Oh so pretty
Very attractive
We're vacant
We're empty inside
Don't ask us to attend
Don't invite us
'Cause we're not all there.
Because we're not mentally present
Oh don't pretend 'cause I don't care
Don't pretend, I'm not interested
I don't believe illusions 'cause too much is real
I don't believe in falsehoods because reality is too intense
So stop your cheap comment
Don't make your rude remark
'Cause we know what we feel
We understand our emotions
Ah but now
But currently
And we don't care
We're indifferent
We're pretty a-pretty vacant
We're good-looking but hollow
We don't care
We're still indifferent
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glen Matlock, Paul Spencer Cook, Steve Jones, John Lydon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@surfinbird71
Dec 29, 1990 The Ramones played The Ritz in NYC and before taking the stage some music videos played on the big screen. The Heartbreakers, Suicidal Tendencies, and this one. When this one started the whole place went NUTS...a mish pit to remember.
@richardboutland7265
Johnny Rotten gave an interview to the BBC in 1978 - where he made his suspicions about Jimmy Saville very clear - in return he and the Sex Pistols found themselves quietly 'banned' by the BBC. To my knowledge, he was the only prominent figure from the world of entertainment who actively spoke out about Jimmy Saville - Not all heroes wear capes - some wear 'safety pins'.
@MrJohneybgood
thats why the pistols were so great. they dressed how they wanted, acted like they wanted to, and sang about whatever the fuck they wanted. They didnt give two shits if people didnt like what they did. You just dont see bands like that today...
@geraldobrien7323
That beginning with the guitar riff and then the drums kicking in is pretty innovative. I can’t think of any song before this that had such an intro.
@Numantino312
and it's the most WELCOMING sound ever. for how pissed off punk rock supposedly is, that just shouts "dude! c'mon IN!"
if i heard that from outside the venue, i'd hand my money to the door guy pretty fast.
@wbjr6715
It's a retarded take on Baba O'Riley, in the best way.
@enukjent2550
Venom - Black Metal was such a song too. ...and they´re still alive.
@stormyweather9917
freaking great album!
@dr.feelgood3844
Thanks so much for this original studio version, a classic
@robintopping62
The Sex Pistols got it right - NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS just listen to their music. Pretty Vacant - (my favourite SP track ) a great piece of raw rock 'n roll . Shame the BBC (arseholes) wouldn't play their music, because their sounds have been proven to be some of the best rock of the 1970's.