This Is Not a Love Song (Public Image Ltd song)

"This Is Not a Love Song" is a single released by English post-punk group Public Image Ltd in 1983. It is the group's biggest commercial hit, peaking at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and at number 3 on the Irish Singles Chart.

"This Is Not a Love Song"
Single by Public Image Ltd
from the album This Is What You Want... This Is What You Get
B-side	"Public Image" "Blue Water"
Released	5 September 1983 (UK)
Length	3:30 (7" edit) 4:27 (12" version) 4:12 (album version)
Label	Virgin VS 529
Songwriter(s)	John Lydon Keith Levene Martin Atkins
Producer(s)	Public Image Ltd Bob Miller
Public Image Ltd singles chronology
"Flowers of Romance" (1981) "This Is Not a Love Song" (1983) "Bad Life" (1984)
Alternative cover
12" cover

The 12" remixed version of the song is featured on Commercial Zone as "Love Song". A re-recorded version of the song is featured on PiL's fourth studio album This Is What You Want... This Is What You Get and includes a horn section.[1]

The song was used in the 2008 animated movie Waltz with Bashir.[2]

Track listing

7" vinyl – A|B Virgin 105 938[3]

1. "This Is Not a Love Song" – 3:30
2. "Public Image" – 2:58

12" maxi – Virgin 600 997[3]

1. "This Is Not a Love Song" – 4:27
2. "Blue Water" – 3:46
3. "This Is Not a Love Song (Remixed version)" – 4:27
4. "Public Image" – 2:58

Chart performance

Chart (1983–1984)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4]	17
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[3]	20
Ireland (IRMA)[5]	3
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[6]	17
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7]	12
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8]	45
UK Singles (OCC)[9]	5
West Germany (Official German Charts)[10]	10

References

1. Christgau, Robert. "Public Image Ltd". Retrieved 7 April 2014.
2. Harsin, Jayson (31 January 2009). "The Responsible Dream: On Ari Folman's Waltz with Bashir". Bright Lights Film Journal. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
3. "Ultratop.be – PiL – This Is Not A Love Song" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
5. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – This Is Not a Love Song". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
6. "Nederlandse Top 40 – PIL - This Is Not A Love Song" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
7. "Dutchcharts.nl – PiL – This Is Not A Love Song" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
8. "Charts.nz – PiL – This Is Not A Love Song". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
10. "Offiziellecharts.de – PiL – This Is Not A Love Song". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 18 March 2019.