Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon and his band Public Image Ltd (PiL) have failed to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest.
The post-punk group, formed in 1978, featured the song Hawaii, described as a “love letter” to Lydon’s wife of nearly 50 years, Nora, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.
But in a special Eurosong edition of RTE’s The Late Late Show on Friday night, a combination of national and international jury votes and public telephone votes selected Wild Youth’s song We Are One as the Irish entry for the contest.
The winning song narrowly defeated Connolly’s Midnight Summer Night, and PiL’s song finished fourth out of six finalists.
The other acts included Andrew Carr (aka ADGY), Leila Jane, and the duo K Muni & ND, consisting of Kofi Appiah and Nevlonne Dampare.
Disappointed: Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon and his band Public Image Ltd (PiL) have failed to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Speaking at the start of the show, British-Irish rocker Lydon, 67, said: “This song we put together to try and tell the story as genuinely as possible without breaking down in tears.”
‘It’s going to be hard for me tonight.
“I recommend Hawaii to everyone for a vacation because it is the best cure for Alzheimer’s.”
After Lydon, formerly known as Johnny Rotten, performed his song on the show, it was given a tepid reception by a panel of experts, including former X-Factor contestants and Irish Eurovision entrants Jedward.
John of Jedward said: ‘The song comes from a place of love, acceptance and tranquility.
‘A delicate song could stand out if it went to Eurovision.
“It’s heartbreaking what’s going on with his wife.”
Edward added: “I’m not so sure it’s a Eurovision song.”
Heartfelt: The post-punk group, formed in 1978, featured the song Hawaii, described as a “love letter” to Lydon’s wife of nearly 50 years, Nora, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.
Wild Youth singer Conor O’Donohoe said it was a great honor to be selected to represent Ireland.
He said: ‘Thank you to everyone who voted for us, we’re overwhelmed, we hope you can all get behind the song and that we can make everyone in Ireland proud. We want to thank all our families, they have supported us from day one.’
Lydon, who was born in London to Irish parents, formed PiL after the Sex Pistols broke up in 1978, along with guitarist Keith Levene, bassist Jah Wobble and drummer Jim Walker.
Their debut album, First Issue, was released in December of that year and showcased a post-punk sound that combined progressive rock, dub, and dance music.
Winners: But in a special Eurosong edition of RTE’s The Late Late Show on Friday night, a combination of national and international jury votes and payphone votes selected Wild Youth’s song We Are One as the Irish entry for the contest.
Show: Speaking at the start of the show, British-Irish rocker Lydon, 67, said: “We put this song together to try and tell the story as genuinely as possible without breaking down in tears.”
After a 17-year hiatus, Lydon reformed the group in 2009 with a new lineup, toured the world and released two albums.
The group currently consists of Lydon plus guitarist Lu Edmonds, drummer Bruce Smith, and bassist Scott Firth.
Eurovision will take place in May at ACC Liverpool after the UK were named runners-up in the 2022 event with Sam Ryder.
The EBU concluded that Ukraine could not host the event due to the Russian invasion, despite the fact that its participant, the Kalush Orchestra, arrived first.
Performing: After Lydon, formerly known as Johnny Rotten, performed his song on the show, he was given a warm reception by a panel of experts, including former X-Factor contestants and Irish Eurovision contestants Jedward.
Ireland will perform in the first semi-final on May 9 before the final on May 13.
When talking about the meaning behind his song, John has had trouble holding back tears.
In an emotional interview discussing the potential acting opportunity later this year, John’s track of choice, Hawaii, is packed with emotion for him as he discusses the relationship he has shared with his wife of over 40 years.
Emotional: John has previously fought back tears when he revealed the meaning behind his Eurovision song (pictured with wife Nora in 2001)
speaking to SunJohn looked at the lyrics that read ‘remember me, I remember you’ and was overwhelmed with the sadness of the disease.
“We had a wonderful vacation in Hawaii after touring once and it was the best week of our lives.
Now her memories are fading, I wanted to bring her something like that. I break down even thinking about it.
Initially formed in 1978, but later went on hiatus; John will now join fellow punk bandmates Lu Edmonds, Scott Firth and Bruce Smith.
Chance: The Irish-British punk rocker, better known by his stage name Johnny Rotten, will bid for the spot with his band Public Image Ltd for the 2023 competition (2022 pictured)
Sense: But in an emotional interview discussing a possible acting opportunity later this year, John’s track of choice, Hawaii, is filled with emotion for him as he looks back at the relationship he has shared with his wife of over 40 years ( in the photo together)
Announcing the news on Twitter, the band said they will compete with a never-before-heard song titled Hawaii, dedicated to John’s wife, Nora, who has Alzheimer’s.
Providing context to his song choice, John shared: “It’s dedicated to everyone who goes through a difficult time on life’s journey, with the person they love the most.
“It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”
John found fame with The Sex Pistols in the 1970s alongside guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassist Glen Matlock. Matlock was replaced by Sid Vicious in early 1977.
Tribute: Speaking to The Sun, John looked at the lyrics that read ‘remember me, I remember you’ and was overwhelmed by the sadness of the illness.
Lydon was the lead singer from 1975 to 1978, later leading the band on several revivals during the 1990s and 2000s.
The Sex Pistols’ only album, Never Mind the B*****ks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977), a UK number one, is now a staple punk rock record.
But in 1978, John formed Public Image Ltd, with the band’s early line-up including bassist Jah Wobble and ex-Clash guitarist Keith Levene.