K," a single from the English punk rock band Sex Pistols, endorses a violent concept of anarchy, which promotes turmoil, anger, and confusion. Johnny Rotten, the lead singer of the Sex Pistols, begins the song with a short four to five second crazed laugh which, if you didn't know any better, sounds like it belongs with the song. This crazed, demonic laugh supports the obvious theme of anarchy and destruction, but also carries much more meaning. The laughter hints at a state of possession, relating it back to the classic rock-n-roll myth of "selling your soul to the devil," and Plato's concept of possession being a requirement for a writer to create a good composition. This laughter, while subtly alluding to Greek philosophy, also creates a cartoonish vibe without the entire song. In Anarchy in the U.K, Johnny Rotten's quick, devilish laugh implies a deeper meaning, referring back to Plato's philosophy and also bringing a sarcastic tone to the song.
Upon first listening to the song, the laughter produced an unsettling feeling, sending chills down my back. Everything about it seemed off – the way he laughed, the specific sound of the laughter, and the overall nature of it – it signifies the amount of emotion he is putting into his performance. This sinister, devilish cackle hints at a state of possession. The idea of possession has been present in music and composition since ancient times. In rock n' roll, the myth of "selling your soul to the devil" has been mentioned countlessly, all relating back to Plato's concept of divine dispensation enabling the writer to compose their work. Plato writes, "poets compose these beautiful songs when they are not in their right mind," (Plato 5) he continues to say they compose these songs while they are possessed. Johnny Rotten understands this and uses the deranged laugh to symbolize the multiple interpretations behind possession.
