The Sex Pistols are back - with their classic/controversial jubilee celebration God Save The Queen

The Sex Pistols - Credit: Barry Plummer.

Either way, they are back. Or at least their Queen’s Silver Jubilee single is.

The Sex Pistols have announced the re-release of their “era-defining” single GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, promising a “Jubilee Treat for music fans.”

Spokesman Chris Goodman said: “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).

“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

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