Public Image Ltd To Compete To Represent Ireland At Eurovision 2023
The band are to compete with John Lydon’s most personal-ever song, ‘Hawaii’
Public Image Ltd. (PiL) are confirmed to take part in the competition to represent Ireland at the (67th annual) 2023 Eurovision Song Contest with the most personal piece of songwriting and accompanying artwork that John Lydon has ever shared called “Hawaii,” which is now available for streaming and download.
The song is a love letter to John’s wife of nearly 5 decades, Nora, who is living with Alzheimer’s. A pensive, personal yet universal love song that will resonate with many, the song sees John reflecting on their lifetime well spent and in particular one of their happiest moments together in Hawaii.
The powerfully emotional ballad is as close as John will ever come to bearing his soul. “It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most,” John says. “It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”
The competition to decide who represents Ireland at the 2023 Eurovision will take place from 9.30pm on February 3, 2023 on The Late Late Show in Ireland and can be livestreamed here.
Celebrating their 40-year anniversary in 2018, Public Image Ltd. haven’t been going quite as long as John and Nora, however, 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 and 1979’s groundbreaking Metal Box 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, Scott Firth and Bruce Smith 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 from January 9 and will be released on limited edition 7” vinyl later in the year. PiL will be releasing a new album this year. Details are to be announced soon.
Listen to the best of PiL on Apple Music and Spotify.
