The Daily Telegraph

Sex Pistols anthem takes aim at No 1 with reissue for the Jubilee

- By Victoria Ward

IT WAS pipped to the top spot in the charts in 1977 by Rod Stewart, prompting claims of a stitch-up.

But God Save the Queen, the Sex Pistols’ punk rock anthem, could yet reach number one as it is re-released next month to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

As a gift to the Queen, 4,000 vinyl copies of the single will be re-released through Virgin, with Did You No Wrong on the B-side. A further 1,977 copies of the rare A&M version will also be available, with No Feeling on the B-side. Martin Talbot, of the Official Charts Company, said it would have to generate 80,000 to 90,000 downloads to top the charts, adding: “Just selling the reissues won’t be enough but if people get behind it and try to get it to number one, it could have a chance.”

The track was released in 1977 to coincide with the Silver Jubilee, but lyrics likening the monarchy to a “fascist regime” prompted the BBC to take it off playlists. Despite this, the song reached number two in the UK singles charts.

Although Rod Stewart’s I Don’t Want to Talk About It was crowned number one, rumours that rankings were manipulate­d have persisted.

The song was re-released in 2002 to coincide with the Golden Jubilee, reaching number 15 in the charts.

When it was re-released again 10 years later for the Diamond Jubilee, there was a campaign to get it to the top of the charts. But singer John Lydon voiced his disapprova­l, saying in a statement: “I would like to very strongly distance myself from the recent stories and campaign to push God Save the Queen for the number one spot over the jubilee weekend ... this campaign totally undermines what the Sex Pistols stood for.” In November last year, Lydon expressed sympathy for the Royal family, saying: “I’ve always felt they’re poor little birdies trapped in cages. Gold cages, but they’re still entombed.”

 ?? ?? The Sex Pistols anthem God Save the Queen will be reissued on vinyl
The Sex Pistols anthem God Save the Queen will be reissued on vinyl

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