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

The Sex Pistols - Credit: Barry Plummer.

Did you love them or loathe them first time round?

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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