Public Image (song)

"Public Image" is a song by Public Image Ltd. It reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The song was written when Lydon was in The Sex Pistols. The song addreses John Lydon's feelings of being exploited in The Sex Pistols by Malcolm McLaren and the press. The single was originally packaged in a fake newspaper that makes outrageous statements such as "Refused To Play Russian Roullete", "No Ones Innocent, Except Us", "Donut's Laugh saves life" (Donut being a nickname for Jim Walker) and "The Girl Who Drove Me To Tea" among others. The B-Side Cowboy Song was designed to mock people buying the record (the tracks only sensical rhythm is a bassline played over nonsensical yelling), much to the dismay of part of the band^[1]. While Public Image has been performed live for much of the bands' existence Cowboy Song was only performed live twice, in a row, at their debut performance in Brussels, Belgium^[2].

Track Listing

• "Public Image" - 2:58
• "Cowboy Song" - 2:17

References