The Sex Pistols are set to re-release their iconic anthem “God Save The Queen“. The influential single will be available to purchase from 27th May 2022. The song was initially released alongside the Queen’s silver jubilee in 1977, and the track’s re-release has also been timed to match with the Queen’s upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
During its original release, the song attracted a lot of bad publicity due to its message of anti-establishment. Much to the dismay of the country’s conservative population, many sub-cultures within Britain’s youth instantly took to the record and sported “God Save The Queen” t-shirts. The backlash of the single grew whilst propelling the Sex Pistols to the centre of the punk movement. Tensions rose to a boiling point when some members of the band were arrested whilst performing the song on a boat during the Jubilee celebrations.
Despite being banned from the BBC and various commercial radio stations, the single reached number two on the UK singles charts. The song was the second single to be released from the band’s only studio album Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols and boasted lyrics calling the UK “a fascist regime”. The song was written and released not to offend but to relate to those in the country who had felt disenfranchised and let down. Singer John Lydon gave a statement concerning the track’s themes, “You don’t write God Save The Queen because you hate the English race. You write a song like that because you love them, and you’re fed up with them being mistreated.”
At the time of its original release on 27th May 1977, the track was considered one of the most controversial events in history. During the initial stages of the release, the band were signed to record label A&M but following disputes over the band’s behaviour the label terminated their contract. These issues led to the label destroying over 25,000 copies of the track, some copies of the track survived and can be sold for up to £16,000. In late May of 1977, the group signed with Virgin Records, marking their third label change in just under a year.
The 2022 re-release of the single will be split into two available options, fans will be able to purchase the A&M version as well as the release via Virgin Records, 1,977 A&M copies will be re-released, and 4,000 copies of Virgin’s version will be re-released. Both records will include the iconic track but will also adhere to the original release and contain different B-sides. The A&M release will feature the B-side “No Feeling” and “Did You No Wrong” will be the B-side within the re-release from Virgin. Both re-releases will also feature the original artwork, the A&M re-release will include the company sleeve and will be pressed on silver/platinum vinyl and Virgin’s re-release will feature the eye-catching artwork designed by Jamie Reid.
This month also marks the release of the band’s upcoming docu-series, Danny Boyle’s adaption of Steve Jones’ memoir is set to be released on 31st May 2022. Entitled Pistol, the series will be available to watch on Disney Plus.
Click here to pre-order “God Save The Queen“
