North West Passage

Album: End of World (2023)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • For centuries, the mythical Atlantic/Pacific Sea Lane, the North West Passage, captivated explorers, adventurers, and dreamers with its promise of a shorter route between the two oceans. However, the unforgiving Arctic conditions, thick ice floes, and treacherous currents proved formidable opponents. Many ships were lost and lives were claimed by the harsh environment. Here, Public Image Ltd lead vocalist John Lydon employs the arctic sea route as a metaphor for the journey towards death.
  • Throughout "North West Passage," Lydon ominously ruminates on there being "barely a future" and wondering "could it be the end of my life?" It seems mortality was on his mind when he wrote the song.

    "I look back at that song and I'm wondering, 'Oh, was I subconsciously thinking about that?'" he told Mojo magazine. "I do my best to, like, not be that way. But I have to question it. And I have to deal with it. I have to face it fully, as a man would and should."

    "My mum and dad would never tolerate self-pity," Lydon added. "Neither should I. But by God, I'll tell you, it's worth a lot to go through it too. As long as you see the light at the end of it."
  • Public Image Ltd. recorded "North West Passage" for End Of World. It was their first album following the death of John Lydon's wife, Nora Forster.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" Album

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" AlbumSong Writing

In the summer of 1990, you could get arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album or performing their songs in Southern Florida. And that's exactly what happened.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.