The fierce love that many Britons feel for their Queen takes on especially hysterical forms during significant events in the main English family. When one of its members marries, dies or celebrates a birthday, the whole nation sympathizes with them.
Imagine what a storm of indignation was caused by the song God Save the Queen by the Sex Pistols, released on the eve of the silver jubilee of Elizabeth II.
The story of creation and the meaning of the song God Save the Queen
The unceremonious punks didn’t stop at borrowing the name from the British anthem (although at first they wanted to name the song No Future). In their creation, they actually called the queen a fascist and allowed themselves other unflattering comments about her. The whole nation also inherited from them, which, as follows from the text of God Save the Queen, has no future.
It is generally accepted that the Sex Pistols released the song on the eve of the Queen’s anniversary, but Paul Cook, the band’s drummer, claimed that they were not aware of the upcoming holiday at all and did not aim to shock society. Johnny Rotten confirmed this and also said that the song expresses their sympathy for the working class and dissatisfaction with the British monarchy.
Even if the song was written without a celebration in mind, the members of the Sex Pistols couldn’t miss the moment. On the day of the anniversary, he performed God Save the Queen from a boat called the Queen Elizabeth II, sailing down the Thames past the Palace of Westminster. On the shore, the police were waiting for them, who arrested all the participants in the performance.
Release and achievements
I must say that in the UK there were many people who shared the views of the musicians. The single God Save the Queen, which was released in late May 1977, soared to number two on the UK Singles Chart. Everyone was sure that he was simply not allowed to become the first because of the scandal that had erupted.
The growing popularity of the song could not be prevented even by the refusal of the largest radio stations to air it. There were also problems with the release of the single God Save the Queen. With a group that had already earned itself a dubious reputation even earlier, record companies refused to cooperate. EMI Records dropped them. A&M Records printed twenty thousand records of God Save the Queen, but a few days later canceled the contract and destroyed almost the entire circulation.
The most desperate (or greedy?) turned out to be Virgin Records, which agreed to take on the single. But the Sex Pistols’ problems didn’t end there. The workers of the factory that was supposed to make the records went on strike, indignant at the bullying of the Queen. To calm them down, they even had to redo the cover, making it less offensive to the “true patriots.” Then many leading retail chains refused to distribute the single, although it was bought up with a bang.
The musicians and administrators of the Sex Pistols were physically hurt because of the song. Shortly after the release of the single, they were attacked by unknown people who inflicted serious injuries on them: fractures, stab wounds, bruises, cuts and abrasions. Some of them had to be hospitalized.
But numerous problems did not prevent (perhaps even helped) “God Save the Queen” from becoming a super hit and one of the best-selling records in the UK. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it #175 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In addition, “God Save the Queen” is included in many other authoritative ratings of the best compositions.
Video of God Save the Queen
Watch the music video for God Save the Queen by the Sex Pistols.
Interesting Facts
- Queen Elizabeth II did not react in any way to the release of the single God Save the Queen and refrained from commenting on Johnny Rotten’s statement that he would like to perform the song in front of her at the golden jubilee.
- Johnny deliberately sang God Save the Queen in London vernacular.
- The bass part was replaced by Vicious with Steve Jones, because it was too difficult for Sid.
- Copies of the A&M Records single God Save the Queen are highly valuable for collectors. One of them was sold at auction for more than twelve thousand pounds.
- The cover of the single took first place in the list of one hundred best by the magazine “Q”.
God Save the Queen Lyrics
God, save the Queen!
The fascist regime
They made you a moron
Potential H-bomb
God, save the Queen!
She ain’t no human being,
There’s no future bagels
In England’s dreaming
Don’t be told what you want
Don’t be told what you need
There’s no future, no future
no future for you
God, save the Queen!
We mean it, man
We love our Queen
god saves
God, save the Queen!
‘Cos those tourists are money
And our figure head
Is not what she seems
Oh God save history
God save your mad parade
Oh Lord God, have mercy
All crimes are paid
When there’s no future
How can there be sin
We’re the flowers in the dustbin
We’re the poison in the human machine,
We’re the future, your future
God, save the Queen!
We mean it, man
We love our Queen
god saves
God, save the Queen!
We mean it, man
And there’s no future
In England’s dreaming
No future, no future, no future
For you
God Save the Queen Lyrics Alternate
God save the queen!
Fascist regime
They turned you into a goof
potential hydrogen bomb
God save the queen!
She is not a human being
No future
In English dreams
Don’t let them tell you what you want
Don’t let them tell you what you need
No future, no future
No future for you
God save the queen!
Seriously dude
We love our queen
And God keeps her
God save the queen!
After all, tourists are money.
And the figure on the bow of our ship
Is not what it seems
Oh God save history
God save our crazy parade
Oh Lord God, have mercy
All sins are redeemed
If there is no future
Where does sin come from?
We are flowers in a dustbin
We are the poison in the human machine
We are the future, your future
God save the queen!
Seriously dude
We love our queen
And God keeps her
God save the queen!
Seriously dude
And there is no future
In English dreams
No future, no future, no future
For you
Song quote
You don’t write God Save the Queen because you hate the English people. You’re writing this song because you love him, but you’re fed up with the way he’s being treated.
Johnny Rotten
