John Lydon’s Public Image Ltd. (PiL) are confirmed to take part in the competition to represent Ireland at the 67th annual Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool later this year, with a song by the former Sex Pistol called “Hawaii”
Available for streaming and download, the song is described as a love letter to John’s wife of nearly 5 decades, Nora, who is living with Alzheimer’s.
The powerfully emotional ballad sees John reflecting on their lifetime well spent, and in particular, one of their happiest moments together in Hawaii.
“It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most,” says John. “It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”
The song is one of six in the national competition that will take place at 9:30pm on Friday, February 3, 2023 on RTE’s The Late Late Show.
The six songs were selected from hundreds of entries received by RTÉ following a callout for submissions last year.
PiL will battle it out with Wild Youth, ADGY, CONNOLLY, Leila Jane, and K Muni & ND on the evening with the winner chosen by a combination of National Jury, International Jury, and Public vote.
Liverpool will host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, and the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will take place in the Liverpool Arena next to the River Mersey on Saturday May 13th , with Semi-Finals on Tuesday 9th and Thursday 11th.
Celebrating their 40-year anniversary in 2018, Public Image Ltd. , the band is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential bands of all time.
PiL’s music and vision has earned them 5 UK Top 20 singles and 5 UK Top 20 albums. With a shifting line-up and unique sound – fusing rock, dance, folk, pop and dub – Lydon guided the band from their debut album First Issue in 1978 through to 1992’s That What Is Not, before a 17-year hiatus. Lydon reactivated PiL in 2009, touring extensively worldwide and releasing two critically acclaimed albums This is PiL in 2012 followed by their 10th studio album What The World Needs Now… in 2015, which peaked at number 29 in the official UK album charts and picked up fantastic acclaim from both press and public. (The album also peaked at number 3 in the official UK indie charts and number 4 in the official UK vinyl charts). What The World Needs Now… was self-funded by PiL and released on their own label ‘PiL Official’ via Cargo UK Distribution.
John Lydon, Lu Edmonds (multi-instrumentalist, Guitars) Bruce Smith (Percussion, drums), and Scott Firth (Bass, multi-instrumentalist), continue as PiL. They are the longest stable line-up in the band’s history and continue to challenge and thrive.
“Hawaii” is available on all digital platforms now and will be released on limited edition 7” vinyl later in the year. PiL will be also releasing a new album this year with details to be announced soon.
