E.M.I. (song)

"E.M.I." is a song by the British punk rock band Sex Pistols. It was released in 1977 as the B-side to their single "Pretty Vacant," and later included on their only studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols. The title is an acronym for Electric and Musical Industries (EMI), the record label that signed the Sex Pistols in 1976 but subsequently dropped them after only a few months due to their controversial behavior and negative publicity.

The lyrics of "E.M.I." are a scathing attack on the corporate music industry, particularly EMI, accusing them of exploiting artists and valuing profit over artistic integrity. The song expresses the band's disillusionment with the major label system and their frustration with being controlled and censored. The chorus, repeating "E.M.I." followed by the phrase "too good for you," is a sarcastic jab at the label's perceived arrogance and short-sightedness.

Musically, "E.M.I." is a high-energy punk rock song characterized by its fast tempo, distorted guitars, and aggressive vocals from Johnny Rotten. The song's raw and confrontational sound mirrors the anger and cynicism expressed in the lyrics. The song is considered a classic example of punk rock's anti-establishment stance and its critique of corporate power.