Tracks:
Public Image / Cowboy Song

Release Date:
13.10.78

Label & Catalogue Number:
Virgin. VS 228

Highest UK Chart Position:
9

Personnel:
Vox - John Lydon
Guitar - Keith Levene
Bass - Jah Wobble
Drums - Jim Walker

Format Info:
Limited edition, 4 page PiL newspaper designed to be a parody of a tabloid.

Later reissued in plain green & red Virgin sleeve

Track Info:
This version is the same as the LP version. Only one mix of 'Public Image' is known to exist.

The non-album track B-side 'Cowboy Song' never appeared on CD (in the UK) until it was included on 'Plastic Box' in 1999.

Trivia:
Apparently the lyrics for the track were mostly written while John was still in the Sex Pistols.

A promo video was shot for the single. Directed by Peter Clifton.

Producer:
Produced by 'Public Image Ltd'
Engineered by Bill Price / John Leckie
(SJP interview excerpt)

Studio:
Advision Studios / Wessex Studios, London.

Sleeve Design:
Concept: Dennis Morris & PiL
Design: Zebulion

Quotes:
People wanted a bombastic Sex Pistols part two, and we went for a very different approach. Much more rhythmic, and I think Keith Levene's guitar work around that time was excellent, and stunningly original - and is now bog standard (laughter).
- John Lydon, Volume 3 CD/Book 1992

The 'Cowboy Song'. One decent track for the price of two. PiL were in effect mocking those who were feeding us. Our
fans. I hated this sort of rubbish. Ironically, John had written what sounded like an Irish ballad for the 'Cowboy Song'. We only played it once with that wonderful lyric. The thing was I'd come up with the idea for that song one morning. I was trying to rip off the theme song for 'Bonanza'…
- Jim Walker, Fodderstompf 2001

Lyrics:
Public Image
Cowboy Song

Press Reviews:
NME, 14th October 1978