My late wife and I often dreamed of going to Hawaii; neither of us had ever been. Usually, because of a lack of funds; a struggling writer vacations close to home. When she realized that breast cancer was going to take her, we again talked of the islands Sit on the beach together, and never come back. She would die there.
About a year later, I did fly to Hawaii. Alone. Andrea had paid for my ticket.
As I sat by her bedside in those times when the pain or the painkillers drew a curtain between us, this is the song that I’d wished I could’ve played for her. Over and over. John Lydon’s love song to his wife of 43 years, Nora Forster, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The most important song of the agent provocateur’s career. Dampened tribal drums; a modern, electrified, synthesized interpretation of slack-key Polynesia. The most gentle of lullabies, laid upon waves of exotica. Lydon, so many years removed from Rotten, at the height of his powers. At the height of his love.
Hawaii was the place of the best time of their lives, Lydon has said in recent interviews. He wanted to spark the memory of that trip, connect with her through it. The punk/post-punk legend has often turned away from the camera, fighting tears. He has taken care of his wife in their Southern California home for five years.
Experience with Alzheimer’s or other terminal illnesses are not required to immediately recognize “Hawaii’s” magic. On their own, the lyrics are unspecific and simple enough for varied interpretations. Various purposes. One YouTube commenter said that she was going to sing it to her children.
Public Image Limited, the icon’s synonymous band, is entering “Hawaii” in the Eurovision contest in hopes of raising awareness of Alzheimer’s. Whether the song wins or not will be irrelevant; it’s something that should be heard, and Eurovision is as effective as any record label these days.
Also irrelevant is any surprise that Lydon – with his supremely jaded persona – could record such an intensely personal, intensely moving piece of music. This is a man whose partner is slipping away from him. The public image, the controversial quips, his fantastic history – none of that matters anymore. As Lydon declares in his masterpiece… “We are here, you and me.”
(“Hawaii” is available for download or streaming on all major services. A 7” single will be released sometime later this year.)
