John Lydon was pissed off. That isn’t exactly news if you know anything about the man formerly known as Johnny Rotten, but in 1983, his anger had a very specific, polished, and surprisingly danceable edge. If you’ve ever found yourself humming that infectious, repetitive chant—"i could be wrong i could be right"—you’ve been caught in the orbit of "Rise" by Public Image Ltd (PiL). It’s a track that shouldn't work. It’s a post-punk legend fronting a band that sounds like it’s wandering into world music and pop-rock territory, all while chanting lyrics inspired by South African apartheid interrogation techniques.
Music is weird like that.
People usually search for the i could be wrong i could be right song because that hook is an absolute earworm. It sticks. It’s the kind of line that feels like a universal shrug and a defiant middle finger at the same time. But underneath that catchy surface lies a complex history involving the Irish Troubles, Nelson Mandela, and a radical shift in how alternative music was produced in the 1980s.
The Story Behind the Hook
Most listeners assume "Rise" is just a catchy mantra about being open-minded. It’s not. Lydon wrote the lyrics based on accounts he’d read about the techniques used by the South African police during the apartheid era. Specifically, he was struck by how victims of torture and interrogation were treated. The phrase "May the road rise with you" is a famous Irish blessing (Go n-éirí an bóthar leat), but in Lydon's hands, it’s twisted into a survivalist anthem.
It’s about endurance.
The song captures a moment where the personal becomes political. Lydon was reflecting on his own Irish heritage and the systemic violence he saw in the world. When he sings "I could be wrong, I could be right," he isn't being indecisive. He’s mocking the black-and-white certainty of oppressive regimes and the "thought police" of the era. He’s saying that in a world of absolute propaganda, the only honest position is one of persistent, stubborn doubt.
Why the Production Sounded So "Non-Punk"
If you listen to "Rise" alongside the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the U.K.," the difference is jarring. "Rise" is lush. It’s layered. It features Steve Vai on guitar. Yes, that Steve Vai—the guitar virtuoso known for shredding with David Lee Roth and Frank Zappa.
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Purists at the time were confused. How could the king of punk hire a "hair metal" guitar god?
The answer is Bill Laswell. Laswell produced the Album (which is literally the name of the record: Album if you bought the LP, Compact Disc if you bought the CD). He brought in a group of legendary session musicians, including Tony Williams on drums and Ryuichi Sakamoto on keyboards. This wasn't a garage band messing around; this was an avant-garde supergroup. They recorded the backing tracks without Lydon even being in the room for most of it.
The result was a sound that basically invented the "Big Music" aesthetic of the mid-80s. It was expansive. It felt like it belonged in a stadium, but Lydon’s snarl kept it grounded in the dirt. The guitar work isn't typical punk power chords. It’s rhythmic, almost hypnotic, echoing the "jangle" of African pop music while maintaining a cold, European industrial edge.
The Power of Repetition
The song thrives on a repetitive structure. Most pop songs follow a verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus-outro formula. "Rise" just sort of... happens. It builds. It loops.
Lydon repeats "Anger is an energy" over and over again. It’s one of the most famous lyrics in rock history for a reason. It turned a negative emotion into a fuel source. In the context of the i could be wrong i could be right song, that repetition acts like a trance. By the time the song hits the four-minute mark, the listener is fully indoctrinated into the groove. It’s a masterclass in using minimalism to create something that feels maximalist.
Misconceptions About the Lyrics
There are a few things people get wrong about this track constantly.
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First, "May the road rise with you" is often misinterpreted by American audiences as "May the road rise up to meet you." While that's the common translation of the Irish blessing, Lydon’s delivery makes it sound more like an ultimatum than a greeting. He’s taking a piece of cultural comfort and turning it into a battle cry.
Second, the song isn't about a breakup. I’ve seen forums where people try to analyze it as a song about a failing relationship. "I could be wrong, I could be right" is seen as a couple arguing. While music is subjective, that interpretation ignores the entire geopolitical backbone of the Album project. PiL was always about deconstructing power structures, not writing love ballads.
The Lasting Legacy of "Rise"
Why do we still care about this song in 2026?
Because "Anger is an energy" has become a literal manifesto for modern activism. You see it on protest signs, in social media bios, and sampled in electronic music. It’s a timeless sentiment. The song bridged the gap between the raw nihilism of the 70s and the sophisticated, politically-conscious pop of the late 80s and 90s.
It also saved PiL. Before this, they were seen as a difficult, experimental "anti-band." "Rise" gave them a legitimate hit. It reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and became a staple of alternative radio in the States. It proved that Lydon could be a professional musician without losing his edge. It showed that "alternative" didn't have to mean "unlistenable."
How to Truly Experience the Track
If you’ve only ever heard the radio edit, you’re missing out. You need to find a high-quality version of the full six-minute album cut.
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- Listen for the Bass: Bill Laswell’s influence is all over the low end. It’s thick and provides the actual melody that the guitars dance around.
- Focus on the Percussion: Tony Williams’ drumming is jazz-influenced and incredibly precise. It gives the song a forward momentum that most punk drummers couldn't achieve.
- The Vocal Layers: Pay attention to how Lydon’s voice is layered in the final third of the song. He’s essentially harmonizing with his own shouts, creating a "wall of Lydon" that is both terrifying and catchy.
What to Do Next
If this song has been stuck in your head, don't just stop at the greatest hits.
Go listen to the full Album by Public Image Ltd. It’s a bizarre snapshot of 1986 where world-class virtuosos met a punk icon. After that, look up the live versions from the late 80s. The way the band transformed these studio-perfect tracks into chaotic, screeching live performances is a lesson in how to keep art alive.
Check out the "Rise" music video. It’s a stark, minimalist piece that captures Lydon’s intense screen presence. No flashy effects, just a man and a microphone, which is all you really need when the song is this strong.
Explore the influences. If you like the rhythmic, repetitive nature of "Rise," dive into Fela Kuti or the "Krautrock" sounds of Can and Neu!—the artists that originally inspired Lydon to move away from the three-chord structure of the Sex Pistols.
The i could be wrong i could be right song is more than just a 1980s relic. It’s a blueprint for how to be smart, angry, and popular all at the same time. It’s a reminder that being "right" isn't nearly as important as having the energy to keep moving down the road.