[citation needed] The song addresses Lydon's feelings of being exploited in the Sex Pistols by Malcolm McLaren and the press.

On the song, PiL leader John Lydon has said: 'Public Image', despite what most of the press seemed to misinterpret it to be, is not about the fans at all, it's a slagging of the group I used to be in.

[4] The single was originally packaged in a fake newspaper that makes outrageous statements such as "Refused To Play Russian Roulette", "No one's Innocent, Except Us", "Donut's Laugh saves life" (Donut being a nickname for Jim Walker) and "The Girl Who Drove Me To Tea" among others.

The B-side, "The Cowboy Song", was designed to mock people buying the record (the track's only sensical rhythm is a bassline played over nonsensical yelling), much to the dismay of drummer Jim Walker.

[8] The song has been covered by The Germs, Pearl Jam, Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Long Ryders and Feeder,[9] Menswear[10] and Scrawl.