Former Sexual Pistola John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) formed post-punk mavens Public Image, Ltd. Quite the long way away from his punk past, Lydon's songs became more dour and experimental. This is especially true for their greatest (and most depressing) album, Metal Box (which was indeed a metal box with a record in it).
Poptones, off of the Box, is one dark ride. The repeating bass vibrations of Jah Wobble and the dark circus chords of Keith Levene add to the pure unsettling nature of the song. Lydon warbles of the ritualistic kidnapping, torture, and murder of a youth in the back of the woods. Told from the perspective of the victim.
Looking to take care of disposed bodies, the "bleeding heart" of the song is taken away in a Japanese car and stripped naked. Tortured for a little while before being shot in the head. The song ends with Lydon repeating "POPTOOOONNNEEESSS" before letting out a gruesome (but thankfully short) shriek.
And the name of the song? That's the refrain. While being tortured the perpetrators play the same stupid pop song on a cassette over and over again. Talk about adding insult to injury.
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