New York
The Sex Pistols Lyrics
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You're made in Japan from cheese and chalk
You're hippy tarts hero
'Cause you put on a bad show, you put on a bad show
Oh don't it show
Still out on those pills
Oh do you remember
You think it's swell playing Max's Kansas
You're looking bored and you're acting flash
With nothing in your gut you better
Keep yer mouth shut you
You better keep yer mouth shut
In a rut
Still out on those pills
Do the sambo
Four years on you still look the same
I think about time
You changed your brain
You're just a pile of shit
You're coming to this
Ya poor little faggot
You're sealed with a kiss
Kiss me
Think it's swell playing in Japan
When everybody knows Japan is a dishpan
You're just a pile of shit
You're coming to this
You poor little faggot
You're sealed with a kiss
Still out on those pills
Cheap thrills
Anadins Aspros anything
You're condemned to eternal bull-shit
You're sealed with a kiss
Kiss me
A kiss a kiss
You're sealed with a kiss
A looking for a kiss
You're coming to this
I want to kiss
You do just about anything
Oh kiss this
Eh boy
The Sex Pistols' song "New York" is a scathing critique of the pretentiousness and lack of substance in the New York art scene of the 1970s. The lyrics paint a picture of a group of young, drug-addled artists who are more concerned with their image and appearances than with creating meaningful art. The chorus, "You put on a bad show, oh don't it show" is a direct jab at these people, suggesting that they are more interested in putting on a spectacle than in actually creating something of value.
The verses continue this theme, calling out the artists for their drug use and lack of creativity. The line "Still out on those pills, do you remember" suggests that these people are so deep in their addiction that they can barely remember what they're doing. The repeated call to "keep yer mouth shut" is a direct challenge to their supposed artistic authenticity - if they can't back up their work with substance, they need to stay quiet.
Line by Line Meaning
An imitation from New York
You are trying to copy the New York scene and failing miserably
You're made in Japan from cheese and chalk
You are cheaply manufactured, just like an inferior Japanese product
You're hippy tarts hero
You idolize the hippies, who are phony and superficial
'Cause you put on a bad show, you put on a bad show
Your performance is terrible, and everyone can see it
Oh don't it show
It's obvious to everyone how bad you are
Still out on those pills
You are addicted to drugs
Oh do you remember
You are reminiscing about your past drug use
You think it's swell playing Max's Kansas
You are impressed with yourself for playing at a famous New York venue
You're looking bored and you're acting flash
You are pretending to be cool, but you are really just disinterested
With nothing in your gut you better
You have no talent, and you should shut up and stop pretending
Keep yer mouth shut you
Stop talking, you have nothing interesting to say
You better keep yer mouth shut
Seriously, don't speak
In a rut
You are stuck in a bad situation, and you can't escape
Four years on you still look the same
You haven't changed or grown in the past four years
I think about time
It's about time
You changed your brain
You need to start thinking differently
You're just a pile of shit
You are worthless and unpleasant
You're coming to this
You're failing, and it's becoming apparent to everyone
Ya poor little faggot
You are a weak and worthless person
You're sealed with a kiss
You're a failure, and there's no escaping it
Think it's swell playing in Japan
You are impressed with yourself for playing in Japan
When everybody knows Japan is a dishpan
Japan is nothing special, and nobody cares about you playing there
Cheap thrills
You are satisfied with superficial things
Anadins Aspros anything
You will take any drug, just for the sake of it
You're condemned to eternal bull-shit
You will always be a failure and a phony
A kiss a kiss
You crave affection and approval
A looking for a kiss
You are desperate for attention and affirmation
You do just about anything
You will do anything to get what you want
Oh kiss this
You are being provocative and rebellious
Eh boy
You are addressing a male with disrespect or contempt
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEFFREY B ATKINS, JOSEPH ANTHONY CARTAGENA, JASON PHILLIPS, JASON T PHILLIPS, MARCELLO ANTONIO VALENZANO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind