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.
Silly Thing
Sex Pistols Lyrics
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Nothing's free, nothing's said
Don't be fooled by the signs
Don't read in between the lines
What you're gonna say
What you're gonna do
Now you've missed out once again
Oh, you silly thing
You've really gone and done it now
Oh, you silly thing
You really gone and done it now
Trouble here, trouble there
People stop just to stare
What's the use of wasting time
Just move on, leave 'em all behind
What you're gonna say
What you're gonna do
Now you've missed out once again
But I thought you knew
Oh, you silly thing
You've really gone and done it now
Oh, you silly thing
You've really gone and done it now
Can't you ever depend
On someone you call a friend
When you see the naked eyes
You don't even ask 'em why
You don't even ask 'em why
Oh, you silly thing
You've really gone and done it now
Oh, you silly thing
You've really gone and done it now
The Sex Pistols' song "Silly Thing" is a commentary on the life of a rockstar and the superficiality of celebrity culture. The opening lines, "What you see, you can get, nothing's free, nothing's said, don't be fooled by the signs, don't read in between the lines," warns against the illusion of fame and fortune. The song suggests that achieving fame does not necessarily bring happiness or satisfaction, and that the cost of fame can be high.
The chorus, "Oh, you silly thing, you've really gone and done it now," is a sarcastic and mocking phrase, directed at those who have bought into the culture of celebrity, and who have become trapped in the cycle of wanting more and more, without ever reaching a state of contentment. The lyrics also suggest that there is no value in caring about what others think, or trying to please everyone, as "trouble here, trouble there, people stop just to stare."
The final verse, "Can't you ever depend, on someone you call a friend, when you see the naked eyes, you don't even ask 'em why," could be interpreted as a commentary on the loneliness and isolation that can come with being a celebrity. Despite having many people around, those in the public eye may feel disconnected from others and unable to trust those around them.
Line by Line Meaning
What you see, you can get
This line encourages the listener to go after what they want in life and not hold back.
Nothing's free, nothing's said
This line is a cautionary reminder that everything comes with a price and not everything people say should be trusted or taken at face value.
Don't be fooled by the signs
This line is a warning to not be easily swayed by appearances and to look deeper beyond the surface level.
Don't read in between the lines
This line reinforces the idea of not overthinking things and not looking for hidden meanings in every situation.
What you're gonna say
This line conveys a sense of urgency to the listener to take action and speak their mind.
What you're gonna do
This line is a call to action for the listener to stop procrastinating and take charge of their life.
Now you've missed out once again
This line is a reminder of past failures and missed opportunities, urging the listener to not repeat the same mistakes.
But I thought you knew
This line implies that the listener should have already learned from their past experiences and should have known better than to make the same mistakes again.
Oh, you silly thing
This line is a playful but sarcastic jab at the listener's foolishness and lack of foresight.
You've really gone and done it now
This line reinforces the idea that the listener has made a grave mistake and there may be consequences to their actions.
Trouble here, trouble there
This line acknowledges the presence of obstacles and challenges in life, but encourages the listener to keep moving forward despite them.
People stop just to stare
This line implies that the listener may be causing a scene or attracting attention in a negative way.
What's the use of wasting time
This line questions the point of dwelling on negative experiences or people that hold the listener back.
Just move on, leave 'em all behind
This line is a call to action for the listener to rid themselves of negative influences and people holding them back and to focus on their own growth and progress.
Can't you ever depend
This line questions whether the listener has people in their life that they can truly rely on.
On someone you call a friend
This line implies that the listener may have trusting relationships in their life, but are they truly dependable?
When you see the naked eyes
This line references the idea of looking past appearances and seeing things for what they truly are.
You don't even ask 'em why
This line implies that the listener may be accepting things at face value without questioning or digging deeper.
You've really gone and done it now
This line reinforces the idea that the listener has made a grave mistake and there may be consequences to their actions.
Oh, you silly thing
This line is a playful but sarcastic jab at the listener's foolishness and lack of foresight.
You've really gone and done it now
This line reinforces the idea that the listener has made a grave mistake and there may be consequences to their actions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL COOK, STEVE JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind