The Wit And Wisdom Of John Lydon

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On the World Cup: “Hilarious fiasco. A load of big-heads getting out of their prams and making a big load of fuss about nothing. All that egotism. All them superstars, and they’ve all done what? Created nothing but mocked a game.” (Absolute Radio, 2010)

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On today’s young bands: “Most young bands are a bit lemon – like weak. They all try and act tough but there’s no content. It’s all down to the songs, have the songs meanings for real people or not? Mine do. If yours don’t, fuck you.” (Showbiz 411, 2008)

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On inspiration: “For inspiration, I find the human being and the human species a permanent source of enjoyment. I believe in life. I’m pro-life and I’m pro-choice, both at the same time.” (Red Eye, 2010)

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On record companies today: “Do record companies serve any purpose any longer? Not really. They never did. They’d take you out to lunch, they’d pamper you, and then take you out clubbing later, which was all well and fine, but then the bill would be presented to you at the end of the year. So you found yourself in a constant stage of debt.” (BBC News, 2010)

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On the future of rock: “I really couldn’t care less what other bands do. It’s of no importance to me. I only care about what I do and what this band does. All the rest of them can go to hell.” (YLE, 1987)

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On Lady Gaga: “Lady Gaga is fantastic. Love it. The humour in it, and the more absurd the imagery… Of course it uses sex, but in a really witty, clever way. And the songwriting is bang up there. They’re well-crafted, they’re smart, and they leave plenty of room for wit and wisdom.” (Absolute Radio, 2010)

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On growing up in London: “That’s the way [London] is, a violent town. Gangs in the summer strolling the streets. It’s very easy for a gang to pick on one person, smash his head in. Big laugh for them. It’s so easy for them to say ‘What a wanker, look at him run away, what a turd!’” (Capital Radio, Tommy Vance Show, 1977)

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On the internet: “It’s full of liars. There doesn’t seem to be any way to answer to people lying about you. Mostly it’s vicious rumor, gossip and innuendo. I think that’s a downscaling of humanity, and we’re suffering because of it. It’s a terrible thing to see your whole life altered before your very eyes on this stupid, ridiculous, electronic screen.” (WIRED.com, 2007)

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On Pistols versus PiL: “I’ve always said, over the years, that my body and mind is the Sex Pistols, but my heart and soul is PiL. I still believe that…We completely understand each other, on rehearsal and on stage, to an amazing degree. When we perform, it creates some wonderful virtuosity moments.” (The Independent, 2010)

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On how people see him: “I don’t give a shit what you think. I know what I think and that’s what counts.” (1977)

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On hygiene: “Over the years, I have changed my habits. I’ve progressed to using soap occasionally.” (BBC1’s One Show, 2009)

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On The Pistols’ limitations: “The Pistols could’ve developed, [but] they were scared of going beyond their limitations. I only know what a limitation is once I’ve gone past it, like a speed limit. The idea was not to get stuck in [that sound] but to carry on.” (NME, 2011)

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On gothic rock: “I don’t like the stuff because it seems to glorify slow death and mediocrity and all that kind of stuff. We’re all going to die – this is a fact. But the point is, we should enjoy what little time we have on planet Earth. Enjoy your life while you’ve got it.” (MTV’s 120 Minutes, 1987)

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