PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED - Flowers of Romance

[dgenrtionx96]

Oh my god Johnny... go back to being punk.

[0307mark]

Just imagine what the Top of the Pops audience must have thought of this 30 years ago ! So far ahead of its time.

[Emochatterz]

just more proof gingers don't have soul.

[cevie11]

@Emochatterz And that's from someone whos username starts with 'emo' lol.

[Emochatterz]

@cevie11 I'm a emo punker.

[cevie11]

@Emochatterz Okay then... I'm just curious, how can you be emo and punk? Don't take this wrong, im not judging or anything, just curious :p

[Emochatterz]

@cevie11 you have never heard of punk rock love?

[TheMicksterdee]

Although I hated the punk era at the time, over the years I grew to love some of the Sex Pistols material. Anarchic... yes! But songs like Pretty Vacant became classics, whereas the stuff P.I.L. were trotting out was just cashing in

[InvisibleTelevision]

thanks!



[person9742]

Why does Johnny look like drop dead fred?

[davidbowie1100]

@person9742

You mean drop dead fred looks like Johnny Rotten

[ronniedillon]

John Lydon has had as much f an impact on pop culture as Elvis Presley. Most folks won't acknowledge that fact because it's painful. It's hard to accept that pop music, punk, or post-punk could be such a dark influence. It's hard to accept the fact that pop music could deal with something other than bad/unrequited love, fast cars, etc. Lydon, et. al, CAUSED dissent even riots. Whether you like PiL or not, fact is this music was part of something that changed the way popular culture functioned.

[wesleyramones]

muito foda porra muito foda msm

[ototoki34]

途中で切れとるがな

[KronosTheDeejay]

Only children argue on youtube. Good day.

[automatic84a842]

かっこいいぜ、PIL !

[haroldofcardboard]

low tech perfection

[PostPunkFan]

Flowers of Romance was the last PiL record. John should have renamed the band to something else for the rest of the '80s-'90s.

[rriffrraff]

i played this at school back then over the overall speakers...they were shocked,:)

[casestudyification]

@rriffrraff I love it!!

[lundehund44]

@420megadeth what do 'talent' and GG Allin have to do with each other? When you say 'shit like GG Allin' you hit it right on the head. And yes I do like this song and no I don't do drugs.

[Therojo]

when you push punk beyond the three-chord issue it can become something really amazing

[eddie5181]

Mr Lydon.

[nogodbob]

@420megadeth fuck you metalhead! i saw the germs 3 times and they were a train wreck even by the lowest of punk rock standards and now they're guitarist plays with foo fighters one of the worst bands in history

[wipers86]

@nogodbob your talking about pat smear he left the foo fighters in 1997 you forgot to mention nirvana he joined nirvana in 1993 and you can say what you like you either like hardcore punk or you don't but what has the germs got to do with what he said he hasn't got them on his favorite list

[wipers86]

@nogodbob I love Nirvana so I'm not trying to say there bad but remember if you like nirvana you can't completely rip him

[wipers86]

@nogodbob OK forget what I said I never knew he rejoined the foo fighters

[Televiper54]

You really have to laugh when people are calling PiL a sell-out pop band in the comments for this video. Particularly when compared to a "punk band" that was manufactured and controlled by Malcolm MacLaren.

Poor brainwashed bastards. 

[abstractbard]

@Televiper54 I agree but Pistols were not a punk band that was manufactured by Malcom and certainly not one that was controlled by him. He managed to destroy it by focusing all attention on their public image rather than on the true content. There's no doubt that PiL was more artistic band but Pistols were something that should be respected, at least in my opinion

[Emochatterz]

@abstractbard you do know this guy tried to sue greenday for stealing punk from him right?......

[abstractbard]

@Emochatterz Stealing punk?

[Emochatterz]

@abstractbard go look it up, this guy is worse than Bill Gates, or George Bush.

[Emochatterz]

@Televiper54 you know nothing about music, you are the moron that is brainwashed. Johnny Rotten is at the top of the greedy, money hungry musicians of all time! You don't even know punk, you just a poseur. You will never punk either. Go listen to American Idiot, and think it has all the answers. But don't be calling other people brainwashed when you are supporting a guy who tried to sue other bands for "stealing" punk. you ass hole

[robinbrum]

Yep, well ahead of its time, still sounds fresh today.

[suicidalquiff]

Very inspirational! I love it :)

[Greekmustard666]

@420megadeth what the fuck else is he gonna do, kid is dumb as hell and has no ambition for another job. this is the smartest move he's ever made

[finmarc]

Hypnotizing, now as then, one of the best sonx ever

[oodleflip]

@Liniserproductions

Man,geta LIFE you sad SAD Pedant!!

[aphex462]

thanks!!!

[kiuhy8]

very brilliant

[chuckyboots60]

Spot on, irynski.

[MegaLamka]

She was the videographer for the band.

[jackshel]

Who was that girl on the front of the album. What was she slinging at the photographer? It looked like one of those things you grind pills with!!!

[gegeleyaourt]

dommage que ça coupe brusquement à la fin :(enorme morceaux !! <3

[jing479]

30 years later - this music is still ahead of it's time.

[irynski]

Seminal album. I was 22 and loving the change from punk to post-punk to New Wave/Techno scene. For those who didn't live through this era, there's nothing to compare it to. Such new, experimental changes to pop-culture (as opposed to pop) music just haven't been expressed since those times. We had Rock 'n Roll that swooped in & and changed during the 50's... Revolutionary changes throughout the 60's the, again, through the 70's. The 80's moved as fast. Where's the subculture revolution gone?

[1977theclash1]

Brilliant band, PIL r a class act, john lydon is a one off.

Seen them a few times since 1979, now apperaing in my home town of middlesbrough in june 2011 at the middlesbrough empire, get in there.

gr8 news for all us old punks from the late 70s.

[TroutMaskReplicaa]

@Liniserproductions correct one's hugely overrated; the other under.

[akwash1979]

I'm pretty sure that Flowers of Romance was the name of the band that Sid Vicious was first in.

[Bsteph20]

at the concert, the whole crowd went into a trance during this song. it was so much fun

[Jugglerclown]

I sent you flowers you wanted chocolates instead :D

[DIONYSES000AD]

pre-modernist droogism ? dont get this one. "start all over again" maybe means something. He doesnt mention war: ie the 2 world wars that positively destroyed modernist progress and mechanical (technological) optimism. Perhaps if we hadnt had the 2 wars, we wouldnt all be drwoning in this glut of media garbage.

[gzussturbo]

This was on Top Of The Pops? Neat

[MrMurzilla]

That's the way punk died.

[gsh73la]

@MrMurzilla Bollocks

[drausrrr]

I would feel a little empty if this song disappeared haha

[TheSwiftCee]

Wasn't flowers of romance the band Sid vicious was in before the Pistols? anyone? Quoted in the filth and the fury by sid himself.

[Hister333]

@TheSwiftCee Yup. With Keith Levene of Public Image limited.

[paulgoding]

@TheSwiftCee aye yuh reet mate before druming for the banshees

[Starvoid7]

Public Image Limited chews, spits out, tears apart and skull-rapes the slimy and un-important Sex Pistols, and that talentless piece of shit called Sid Vicious.

[bananasplitsable]

As much as I like this song , and other PIL stuff, I do remember John Lydon giving a finger to the Rolling Stones and other bands calling them old farts. Well John, when the Pistols last toured, you lot were the old farts! The Stones have been going forever!

[Starvoid7]

@bananasplitsable

fuck the Stones.

[Noodles37UK]

@bananasplitsable Shut up and begone.

[Huddit]

Sid used to play the violin in a band called "Flowers of Romance", right?

[pazzensutra]

@Huddit

 No, he played drums in the band "Flowers of Romance".

[MrBornagainzombie]

@pazzensutra He played drums briefly for Siouxie (I think just once), he was mean't to be the singer for the flowers of romance although they didn't ever gig or record with him.

[RJMC07]

this is what i see with my eyes closed

[xwexarexbulletsx]

I know I'm gonna be crucified for this, but who's the girl/guy at the right? This is my favourite PiL song, it's what got me into em.

[messthetics]

@xwexarexbulletsx Jeanette Lee - she now works with Geoff Travis running Rough Trade's management arm.

[xwexarexbulletsx]

@messthetics She's from the cover of the Flowers of Romance album right? She's really cute.

[messthetics]

@xwexarexbulletsx That's her yep

[pondark]

jja lows, hokolates erann sosasssssssssssssssssssssss jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[JackOfferlott]

I find it fun how this ponce get discovered because he was wearing a "I hate Pink Floyd" shirt, yet the band of his own creation was a self-indulgent noise experiment like he slammed Floyd for being. Punk is a cynical marketing gimmick and a joke, much like it's moronic creator: Johnny Rotten.

[Skatingisgood]

@JackOfferlott I copied and pasted a part of this interview.

Rotten, real name JOHN LYDON says, "I never hated Pink Floyd. I was having a laugh.

"How could you hate Pink Floyd? It's like saying, 'Kill the fluffy bunnies.'

Just google Johnny Rotten Pink Floyd.

[JackOfferlott]

@Skatingisgood

Oh OK. Thanks. I care a lot. That makes this good music somehow.

[Skatingisgood]

@JackOfferlott Haha I'm just saying. I know that that won't change your opinion but I just wanted to correct a common misconception.

[messthetics]

@JackOfferlott Yeah and that was 6 years before this when he was in a punk band, people tend to progress as they grow up. He never said he didn't listen to bands like Captain Beefheart, Can, Van Der Graaf Generator and Neu! Just not over indulgent dinosaurs like Floyd were in the mid 70s.

[JackOfferlott]

@messthetics

Uh...Ok. Thanks. This is still unlistenable tripe. Amateur hour is over and that's why PiL went nowhere with no one caring.

[messthetics]

@JackOfferlott I found it hard to get into the 'Flowers of...' material initially but now i really like it.

You've got to remember as well, that in 1981 alternative music just left of the mainstream was quite extreme at times and people were far more open to experimentation.There was also a lot of new equipment coming out and methods of recording were evoving. Can you imagine anything this far out being broadcast on a tea time music program with figures of around 8m people in the UK today?

[JackOfferlott]

@messthetics

I guess one can say "for the time". As the 70s bled into the 80s and the punk that had mutated into new wave was in turn mutating into alternative, people were still trying to figure out what the hell all of it meant. 1981 was a crazy year, that's for sure. People say the 80s were cheesy. However, I agree with you in that it was a time of great experimentation. It's just that a lot of it didn't stick or age particularly well.

[gsh73la]

@JackOfferlott It's only unlistenable to uncreative, linear thinkers. The song is brilliant.

[JackOfferlott]

@gsh73la

"Linear thinkers"?! Are you serious? How dare I think 2+2=4. In your little world where right is wrong and gay=straight, in other words arbitrary Fantasyland, you're right. Here in reality the answer is: No, you aren't normal. You're just a fag with no talent who has to lie to themselves. Linear thinking?! That is sooooo rich.

[MyliuFoje]

Come in to Lithuania!!!

[GRAFFDEMON]

Went to see PIL on Monday, I felt a bit outve place being a metalhead haha, but it was an amazing gig :P

[missSuchashame]

are they going on tour this year?! Halleluhja! come to sweden!

[krill6905]

probably the most horrible piece of shit i have ever seen or heard! seriously! can't stand his fucking voice!

[PBANDSNOW]

My favourite band is the sex pistols, And Johnny...OH BOY

[PBANDSNOW]

just like when Johnny was in the sex pistols, i know he is singing about something important (god save the queen for an example) but i can never figure out exactly what he's talking about about RIP Sid(John Beverley)

[tunning666]

Who put the crazy ppl out of the nut house! Best part - 1.07 - 1.30

[PBANDSNOW]

im gonna listen to this next time i get baked

[punisherevil]

radiohead's grandpop alive and well

[kiribula]

@punisherevil Radiohead (is shite) ? John Lydon is merely one generation older

[TheMrEMeat]

Quite a find, I love finding, watching old TOTP performances. The fact its PIL makes it better.

[tomk773]

A magificent DISCovery...!

[ELB2411]

SEEING THEM IN JULY WOOOO

[saw1261]

May favorite PiL song.

[FallenDestiny1218]

WOW he fuckin go trippy and I must say I LOVE it....something out of the norm!!

[CaroleUCoope]

Smart stuff

[spassy13]

SHIT HOT

[xx4681xx]

now i am sending flowers

[spasmodiccaress]

A classic, an inspirational track, check out Ambition by Spasmodic Caress if you like this. Be Spasmodic!

[MolkoxLewd]

The helium-like anal voice doesn't go so well with the whole post-punk or post-rock sound. Yeah, nothing wrong with the music but he's way too squeaky.

[telegramsiam2]

@MolkoxLewd could you shut up and stop flooding this good song's comment page with a bunch of vague unsupported garbage about john lydon's beloved high & dynamic vocal stylings + misdirected post-genre namedrops. thanks man

[MolkoxLewd]

@telegramsiam2

how is it unsupported? it's clearly too high, the song speaks for itself. I wish he'd have done a more Ian Curtis kind of thing.

since the post-genres I named were misdirected would you like to tell me what genre you put this band in?

[lunarpower666]

@MolkoxLewd what have you done musically.....oh yeah you just "buy" records and talk shit. your helium like anal retentiveness doesnt go so well on this page. before you bark try working on your own shit.

[MolkoxLewd]

@lunarpower666

I don't buy or "buy" records. I believe if a musician has more money than me, then he's too fucking rich. But what the hell are you so upset about, exactly?

[gsh73la]

@MolkoxLewd Stick to watching placebo vids and stfu

[gsh73la]

@MolkoxLewd What would a Placebo fan know ? I think a Hot Topic vid would be more appropriate for you to comment on

[MolkoxLewd]

@gsh73la as a Placebo fan I know a lot about shrieky vocals. And Placebo is legit; remember David Bowie's endorsement of the band. There's no need to question Bowie's taste when he's influenced everyone from Lydon to Sonic Youth and beyond.

[RayRoark2009]

He sounds like shaggy on scooby doo on 1:56

[aislamefermin]

dios como mola

[rohanmacc]

I remember seeing this at the time. So wild, yet back then there really was some good stuff about. These days you have to work so much harder to find the good stuff.

[TheChundar]

one of my favourite PIL tracks

[misterbaker101]

Apres les SEX PISTOLS. J'aime ca !

[sleepwalker3125]

Unlistenable? Far from it for me. Flowers of Romance is my favorite PIL album by far.

[cecopiteco]

this was my soundtrack in 82

[KangLeRoy]

So sad that you don't really know who Lydon or PIL were. This is John doing Can/Damo not the Ants. Lydon liked Dub, Hawkwind, and Krautrock NOT Chuck Berry. The Sex Pistols were a joke and he always knew it. He was the only thing "real" about them. Some PIL stuff is horrible; this isn't. If you like "punk" listen to the Dead Boys and SHUT UP!

[MolkoxLewd]

@KangLeRoy

The Sex Pistols were a terrible joke considering how hard (he said!) they worked to make the band good.

[punkorama94]

@MolkoxLewd the sex pistols defined the punk image and put it on the map in the Seventies. Sure, they played crappy, but the sound was perfect for what they achieved, even if it wasnt what they wanted.

[MolkoxLewd]

@punkorama94

I know that. Obviously. And they didn't play crappy, they were good by the time they recorded Bollocks. Better than most punk bands I'd say.

[bezale]

johnny and the ants

[farizzal]

this shit FUCKING SUCKS....but I think Johnny wanted it to.

[kerouhak]

FUCK OFF!

[farizzal]

@kerouhak I love johnny so fuck you. I think he made a crappy song cuz he could, he did it as a laugh.

[tagomago91]

its a shame it all went downhill after this, those first three albums were amazing.

[pottoco]

@tagomago91 Four albums, dude -- This is what you want was just as good as the first three.

[danielchilds1]

class mate try this is not a lov song pil cheers nice music taste

[Clematisian]

They've reunited & they're playing @ Coachella in April! Visit Coachella (dot) com for more info & THANKS, brian110x, for uploading this amazing PiL gem! ~ (•8-D

[punkisdead36]

la hostia.....,1punk de madrid ke los vera este año en el FIB. Aupa el Arsenal.jaja

[GoonerAli]

GOOD OLD ARSENAL.

[mondocaneman]

PIL is gonna tour soon this year 2010.

[HoboSwapp]

WOO. Thanks for letting me know! I'd have no idea.

I just bought my tickets. :D

I'm so excitied!

[thingittwat]

@mondocaneman when they going on tour? x

[khaledonian]

@mondocaneman yes!!! i'll see 'em @ sziget festival!! :)

[safariinc]

@mondocaneman I just went to their concert yesterday. Fucking amazing.

[LouTheNerd]

@mondocaneman where ? cause i appreciate john lydon cause is weird.... but im in france. are they just touring in england ?

[Hister333]

@mondocaneman Really? Who's in it?



[mediattackrecords]

@mondo

hmmm. their music is an odd blend of classical and avante garde. the stuff they did was liked but for some reason i wasnt!

[lilplinky]

please tell me about the PIL sounhdtrack album-Im going a bit lopopy trying to identify it

[ICE420]

Brilliant .

[GabrielsNob]

For an 80's pop song - its fantastically Avant garde!

[pauua]

this is not pop...

[samuraiinCfede]

hahahaha...pop

[shit311]

you cant deny flowers of romance was the best

i like metal box too tho

[babscabs1987]

i heard they went to the states and kinda changed their sound to a bit more commercial, can enyone tell me what albums were the best ones please?

[malsanthe]

Well - all of them - But I like Metal Box best........

[ParanoidAndroid1985]

Depends on what you are looking for, I'd say for their best stuff get metal box or first issue but if you want their more comercial sound go for later albums

[babscabs1987]

ill check out the two you mentioned

[finnan0333]

Metal Box

[affectionatepunch]

Wot ya talkin about Mr TFSDBZ. Lydon left the pistols before sid died and as for p.i.l. bein shit you lot should listen to metal box...

[dogma264]

wow this isnt bullshit, this is actually one of the better songs of pil, and plus pil has far more songs than the pistols, the pistols have good lyrics but not enough stuff to listen too, i went through all they ever recorded in lik 2 hours, Pil theres lik 14 hours

[Fayceee]

Naw, PiL was infinitely more exciting to listen to than the Pistols. Don't get me wrong, I like the Pistols, but this blows them way out of the water. PS John quit before Sid died.

PPS Sid was a fashion model and cash camel for Malcolm McLaren, and has almost nothing to do with music.

[xxxRiffRaffxxx]

He never knew (knows) how right he (was) is. Fuck you world.

[xxxRiffRaffxxx]

cute, nice and true - that's Lydon

[haddockcheese]

You're all talking tosh.I'm not interested in your analising cobblers.

Your's sincerely

haddockcheese

[Thekijuju]

i like it better when johnny rotten was in the sex pistols

[dogma264]

doesnt everybody

[finnan0333]

No. I much prefer PiL.

[dogma264]

well pil good and all but the great thing about the pistols is that they only made about 13 songs, and about 10 of those rock, the problem with these bands that last for long times is all those albums and songs that suck, pil had more than a few

[TheRealAman]

I agree man pil was fuckin weak dude. oh well

[xxxRiffRaffxxx]

I think it's not experimental, it just looks experimental from the point of view of the time when it was created. At least, this is what I felt, when a well music understanding friend of mine showed this video to me back then, long ago. Today maybe at least I see the straight and fast developement of Lydon and I'm looking for me for answers why he suddenly became so mediocre.