About The Song
“God Save the Queen” by the Sex Pistols is a punk rock anthem released in 1977. The controversial and rebellious nature of the song, along with its provocative lyrics, made it a symbol of the punk movement in the United Kingdom during the late 1970s.
Five Facts:
- Released During the Silver Jubilee: “God Save the Queen” was released during the week of Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977. The timing of the release was seen as a deliberate and provocative statement against the monarchy and the establishment.
- Banned by the BBC: Due to its anti-establishment and anti-monarchial lyrics, the BBC banned “God Save the Queen” from its airwaves. Despite the ban, the song gained significant underground popularity and became a rallying cry for the punk movement.
- Political and Social Critique: The lyrics of the song are a scathing critique of British society, addressing issues such as class disparity, political disillusionment, and the monarchy. The Sex Pistols used the punk genre as a platform for social and political dissent.
- Controversial Artwork: The single’s cover art, featuring a defaced image of Queen Elizabeth II with a safety pin through her nose, added to the controversy surrounding the song. The artwork was considered provocative and contributed to the punk aesthetic.
- Reached Number Two on the Charts: Despite the BBC ban and limited radio airplay, “God Save the Queen” reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. Many believe that it could have reached number one if not for alleged manipulation by the British music industry to prevent a punk anthem from topping the charts during the Jubilee celebrations.
Video
Lyrics
God save the queen
The fascist regime
They made you a moron
A potential H bombGod save the queen
She’s not a human being
and There’s no future
And England’s dreamingDon’t be told what you want
Don’t be told what you need
There’s no future
No future
No future for youGod save the queen
We mean it man
We love our queen
God savesGod save the queen
‘Cause tourists are money
And our figurehead
Is not what she seemsOh God save history
God save your mad parade
Oh Lord God have mercy
All crimes are paidOh when there’s no future
How can there be sin
We’re the flowers
In the dustbin
We’re the poison
In your human machine
We’re the future
Your futureGod save the queen
We mean it man
We love our queen
God savesGod save the queen
We mean it man
There’s no future
In England’s dreaming God save the queenNo future
No future
No future for youNo future
No future
No future for meNo future
No future
No future for you