One Drop

Album: This is PiL (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Following a 17-year hiatus, Public Image Ltd. reformed in September 2009 with multi-instrumentalist Scott Firth replacing the late PiL guitarist John McGeoch. Frontman John Lydon financed the reunion using money he earned doing a UK television commercial for Country Life butter. This is the title track of the band's first record since getting back together, the vinyl only EP was, er, dropped on April 21, 2012.
  • The song also featured on This PiL, the band's first album for 20 years. It was recorded at Steve Winwood's studio, which is located in a barn in the middle of the Cotswolds in southern England. Lydon told Reuters that the former Spencer Davis Group and Traffic singer did pop into their sessions, "but only with one ear to the barn door, and then he pretended to be watering the daisies. So he never contributed, but it was great he rented us the studio."
  • Lydon discussed the song's meaning during an interview with NME: "What started out as a bit of fun in the studio became this song about wanting to readdress the balance in society," he explained. "It's about police, it's about politicians and it's about the Rupert Murdoch situation. All we need is one drop to readdress the balance. One drop and we can get it back on the good foot. We can change this whole sorry situation. It's a timeless song and that's why I sing: 'We are the ageless. We are all teenagers.' We don't get old, society makes us old."

Comments: 1

  • James Daniels from Romford What a brilliant track and beat ..another classic from the timeless PIL
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")Song Writing

Wes Edwards takes us behind the scenes of videos he shot for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Chase Bryant. The train was real - the airplane was not.