Thirty-five years ago today, Public Image Ltd. released their fifth studio album, the aptly titled Album. Of course, Public Image Ltd. was Johnny Rotten's post-Sex Pistols band, though by then, he went by his real name, John Lydon. In addition to the regular band members, Album featured contributions on multiple tracks from the likes of former Cream drummer Ginger Baker, Japanese composer/musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, guitar legend Steve Vai, and former Miles Davis drummer Tony Williams.
Anyway, the band's biggest hit from Album was "Rise," a song that Lydon and producer Bill Laswell wrote about apartheid and Nelson Mandela, and there's also a reference to the Royal Ulster Constabulary's torture techniques. Sakamoto played the synthesizer/digital effects, Vai played the guitar, and Williams drummed on the song. It's majestic, anthemic song that is perfect for poignant movie scenes -- and it has been featured in a few movies and TV shows. The chorus has the repeated phrase "'may the road rise with you," an old Irish blessing.
"Rise" went to #11 on the UK pop chart, #10 on the Irish pop chart, and the Top 40 in Belgium and New Zealand.
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