SEX PISTOLS announce re-release of era defining single ‘God Save The Queen’

SEX PISTOLS announce re-release of era defining single ‘God Save The Queen’ 1

When the Sex Pistols made their definitive statement during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977 with the incendiary single ‘God Save The Queen’, they produced a manifesto that threatened and delighted in equal measure.

Now, as the nation prepares for another Jubilee, the single is back.

It had been a struggle. Dropped by their record label A&M in the midst of controversy after just 6 days, the label destroyed 25,000 copies of the record, making the handful of copies remaining, ultra-rare collectibles. In honour of this, just 1,977 copies of the re-released A&M version will be available.

The band then signed to Virgin and officially released the single, which was banned by the BBC and reached Number 1 on the UK’s NME chart, but appeared at Number 2 on the Official UK Singles chart, leading to accusations that the song was purposely kept off the top spot. For the only time in chart history, the track was listed as a blank, to avoid offence to the establishment.

4,000 copies of the Virgin re-release will be on sale to fans.

Both versions recreate original artwork, with the A&M edition featuring its generic company sleeve and pressed on silver/platinum vinyl. The Virgin single has the absolutely iconic Sex Pistols artwork designed by Jamie Reid (© Sex Pistols Residuals).

God Save The Queen

The B sides also reflect the original releases with ‘No Feeling’ for A&M,’ and Did You No Wrong’ for Virgin.

Formats:

7” 1 – Virgin Version (4,000 copies)

A/ God Save The Queen

B/ Did You No Wrong

7″ 2 – A&M Version – (1977 copies)

A/ God Save The Queen

B/ No Feeling

INTERVIEW: John Lydon on the Sex Pistols biopic, upcoming PIL tour, Jimmy Savile and more – Listen here

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and looks after the daily running of the website as well as hosting interviews for the weekly XS Noize Podcast. Mark's favourite album is Achtung Baby by U2.

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