Taking Sides: "Public Image" by Public Image Ltd. vs. "The Magnificent" by the Profesionals

Alright, let's see if I can do this without starting off a torrent of embitterment and acrimony (see Taking Sides: "Southern Man" by Neil Young vs. "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynrd Skynrd for those grizzly details). Similar to that thread, the latter of these two songs addresses both the singer of the former, the sentiments expressed in the song and --taking it one step further -- even mocks the style in which the former was executed.

"Public Image" was Lydon's vitriolic kiss-off to the sour ending of the `Pistols and riot act reading that asserted his own identity and independence away from both the conniving of McLaren and the increasingly narrowing margins of what had become "Punk Rock." Coupled with Keith LeVene's staccato guitar stylings, it was a bold departure from what Lydon/Rotten had been previously known for. Even his vocal style had become markedly separate from his familiar `Pistol snarl. An indelible shot across the bow and -- maybe some could get away with saying this? -- the defining blast of what would become Post-Punk.

The Professionals, by contrast, was Steve Jones' & Paul Cook's post-Pistol-project. Never as hung up on issues of conviction and integrity (or at least not in the same capacity as Lydon), Jones & Cook were happy to further tag along with McLaren's plan into its yawnsome death throes (see their participation in "The Great Rock'n'Roll Swinde" film, sinking into self-parody by perfoming with Ronald Biggs, etc.) Once that ran its course, Cook'n'Jones -- perhaps prompted by their cameos in "Ladies & Gentlemen,...the Fabulous Stains" (not sure which came first, honestly) -- formed the Professionals. More straight-ahead rock than squarely Punk or Post-Punk, the Professionals seemingly undersung debut album, I Didn't See It Coming, opens with "The Magnificent." Mimicing LeVene's choppy blasts of guitar, this opening salvo takes Lydon to task for his attack.

Who Put You On the Wall? Who's the One Who Has to Watch You Fall? Who Put You on a Pedastal? Who's the One Who Ends Up as the Fool?

Lamenting the fact that Lydon had been plucked from relative obscurity and brought to infamy and notoriety via the band they'd already formed, these Ex-Pistols bitterly fire back. It's a brilliant rock track -- perhaps not the ear-opening innovation that PiL would become known for, but a stand-up track nonetheless.

History would play it differently. Public Image Ltd. went onto further fame, where the Professionals pretty much sank without much of a trace. Jones went onto become a hired hand for many project (Chequered Past, Andy Taylor, Iggy Pop, etc. etc.). Cook leant his talents sparingly (Edwyn Collins, Chiefs of Relief), but both kept a much lower profile than their former frontman until the Pistol reuion tours in `96.

Anyway, let's hear it.

**PLEASE NOTE** By participating on this thread, you are entertaining the risk of me telling you that you suck for your opinion. This does not, however, mean that I genuinely believe you to be a studied practicioner of the subtle art of fellatio, but rather that I beg to differ with you on this particular subject. Thus, there is no need to consult your therapist or start wearing a black armband in protest.