← Back

This Is What You Want... This Is What You Get

by Public Image Ltd

Released: July 06, 1984

Alternative dance, new wave, post-punk

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Genre Shift.

The Album

However, after Levene's departure from the band, the album was re-recorded without his contributions, as well as without bassist Pete R. Jones, who had also contributed to several tracks on the original "Commercial Zone" release. This Is What You Get" is the fourth studio album by the English post-punk band Public Image Ltd, released on July 6, 1984, by Virgin Records. It features the single "Bad Life" and a re-recorded version of "This Is Not a Love Song", which had previously been a No. 5 UK and international hit when released as a single in 1983.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

The re-recorded version released under the title "This…

The re-recorded version released under the title "This Is What You Want...

This Is What You Get" reflects the band's…

This Is What You Get" reflects the band's new direction after these changes.

Originally, an early version of the album was…

Originally, an early version of the album was released in 1984 by founding PiL guitarist Keith Levene as "Commercial Zone".

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Public Image Ltd - This Is What You Want... This Is What You Get

Open in Albums Gallery

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"This Is What You Want... This Is What You Get" is the fourth studio album by the English post-punk band Public Image Ltd, released on July 6, 1984, by Virgin Records. It features the single "Bad Life" and a re-recorded version of "This Is Not a Love Song", which had previously been a No. 5 UK and international hit when released as a single in 1983.

Originally, an early version of the album was released in 1984 by founding PiL guitarist Keith Levene as "Commercial Zone". However, after Levene's departure from the band, the album was re-recorded without his contributions, as well as without bassist Pete R. Jones, who had also contributed to several tracks on the original "Commercial Zone" release. The re-recorded version released under the title "This Is What You Want... This Is What You Get" reflects the band's new direction after these changes.