Sex Pistols' John Lydon loses bid representing Ireland in Eurovision

Sex Pistols’ John Lydon loses out on representing Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest after performing heartfelt ‘love letter’ to his wife of 50 years Nora on The Late Late Show

Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon and his band Public Image Ltd (PiL) have failed in their bid to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest.

The post-punk group, formed in 1978, entered the song Hawaii, described as a ‘love letter’ to Lydon’s wife of nearly 50 years, Nora, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

But on a special Eurosong edition of RTE’s The Late Late Show on Friday night, a combination of votes from a national and international jury and public telephone votes selected the song We Are One by the band Wild Youth as the Irish entry for the contest.

The winning song narrowly defeated Midnight Summer Night by Connolly, with PiL’s song finishing in fourth position from six finalists.

The other acts included Andrew Carr (also known as ADGY), Leila Jane, and the duo K Muni & ND, made up of Kofi Appiah and Nevlonne Dampare.

Disappointed: Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon and his band Public Image Ltd (PiL) have failed in their bid to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest

Speaking at the start of the show, British-Irish rocker Lydon, 67, said: ‘This song we pieced together to try and tell the story as genuinely as we could without breaking down in tears.

‘It is going to be a difficult one for me tonight.

‘I recommend Hawaii to everyone for a holiday because it is the best Alzheimer’s cure.’

After Lydon, formerly known as Johnny Rotten, performed his song on the show it was given a lukewarm reception by a panel of experts, which included former X-Factor contestants and Irish Eurovision entrants Jedward.

John from Jedward said: ‘The song comes from a place of love, acceptance and calmness.

‘A delicate song might stand out if it did go to Eurovision.

‘It is heartbreaking what is happening with his wife.’

Edward added: ‘I am not so sure it is a song for Eurovision.’

Heartfelt: The post-punk group, formed in 1978, entered the song Hawaii, described as a ‘love letter’ to Lydon’s wife of nearly 50 years, Nora, who has Alzheimer’s disease

Wild Youth singer Conor O’Donohoe said it was a huge honour to be selected to represent Ireland.

He said: ‘Thank you to everyone who voted for us, we are overwhelmed, we hope everyone can get behind the song and that we can do everyone in Ireland proud. We want to thank all of our families, they have supported us from day one.’

Lydon, who was born in London to Irish parents, formed PiL following the break-up of the Sex Pistols in 1978, alongside guitarist Keith Levene, bassist Jah Wobble and drummer Jim Walker.

Their debut album, First Issue, was released in December that year and showcased a post-punk sound combining prog rock, dub and dance music.

Winners: But on a special Eurosong edition of RTE’s The Late Late Show on Friday night, a combination of votes from a national and international jury and public telephone votes selected the song We Are One by the band Wild Youth as the Irish entry for the contest

Show: Speaking at the start of the show, British-Irish rocker Lydon, 67, said: ‘This song we pieced together to try and tell the story as genuinely as we could without breaking down in tears’

After a 17-year hiatus, Lydon reformed the group in 2009 with a new line-up, touring worldwide and releasing two albums.

The group currently consists of Lydon plus guitarist Lu Edmonds, drummer Bruce Smith and bassist Scott Firth.

Eurovision will be held in May at the ACC Liverpool after the UK was named runner-up at the 2022 event with Sam Ryder.

The EBU concluded Ukraine could not host the event due to the Russian invasion, despite its entrant, Kalush Orchestra, coming first.

Perform: After Lydon, formerly known as Johnny Rotten, performed his song on the show it was given a lukewarm reception by a panel of experts, which included former X-Factor contestants and Irish Eurovision entrants Jedward

Ireland will perform in the first semi-final on May 9 ahead of the final on May 13.

When speaking about the meaning behind his song, John has previously struggled to hold back tears.

In an emotional interview looking at the prospective opportunity to perform later this year, John’s track of choice Hawaii is full of emotion for him as he looks at the relationship he has shared with his wife of over 40 years.

Emotional: John has previously struggled to hold back tears as he revealed the meaning behind his Eurovision song (pictured with wife Nora in 2001)

Speaking to The Sun, John has looked upon the lyrics which read ‘remember me, I remember you,’ and becoming overwhelmed at the sadness of the illness.

‘We spent a magnificent holiday in Hawaii after a tour once and it was just the greatest week of our lives.

‘Now her memories are fading, I wanted to bring something like that back to her. I get broke up even thinking about it.’

Initially formed in 1978 but later put on hiatus; John will now be joined by punk bandmates Lu Edmonds, Scott Firth and Bruce Smith. 

Opportunity: The Irish-British punk rocker – best known by his stage name Johnny Rotten – will bid for the spot alongside his band Public Image Ltd for the 2023 competition (pictured in 2022)

Heartfelt: But in an emotional interview looking at the prospective opportunity to perform later this year, John’s track of choice Hawaii is full of emotion for him as he looks at the relationship he has shared with his wife of over 40 years (pictured together)

Announcing the news on Twitter, the band said they will compete with a previously unheard song titled Hawaii – dedicated to John’s wife Nora, who has Alzheimer’s.

Providing context to their choice of song, John shared: ‘It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most.

‘It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.’ 

John found fame with The Sex Pistols in the Seventies 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 has looked upon the lyrics which read ‘remember me, I remember you,’ and becoming overwhelmed at the sadness of the illness

Lydon was the lead singer from 1975 until 1978, later fronting the band for various 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 record of punk rock.

But in 1978, John formed Public Image Ltd, with the first line-up of the band including bassist Jah Wobble and former Clash guitarist Keith Levene.

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