7th October 2007

God Save The Queen 7″ vinyl single released tomorrow, Monday, October 8th

The second release of the ‘NMTB’ 30th Anniversary vinyl re-issue series hits the shops tomorrow. Copies are strictly limited edition, so we recommend getting the single as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. You can also download the track via 7 Digital or iTunes.

This is not nostalgia. ‘God Save The Queen’ is just as powerful and relevant now as it was 30 years ago. Probably more so. The track has inspired countless musicians and individuals worldwide since its original release in May 1977. And will continue to inspire – forever. “We’re the future. Your future…”

There are not many songs – written over baked beans at the breakfast table – that went onto divide a nation and force a change in popular culture. No one had ever dared question the Monarchy so publicly; and it wasn’t without its repercussions. Members of the band were attacked in the streets; and Government Members of Parliament even called for the Pistols to be hung at London’s Traitors’ Gate!

The powers-that-be decided that having the Sex Pistols top of the record charts the week of the Queen’s 25th Silver Jubilee just wasn’t on. Even though it technically out-sold the Number 1 single of the week –  ‘The First Cut is the Deepest’ by Rod Stewart – ‘God Save The Queen’ only charted at Number 2. This wasn’t a conspiracy theory, this was for real.

Over the years many people have tried to tell Mr Rotten what his lyrics mean. But perhaps this quote from ‘The Filth and The Fury’ film says it best: “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…”

God Save The Queen

Follow this link for more info on the vinyl re-issues…