Sex Pistols' Anti-Monarchy Anthem 'God Save The Queen' Tops Chart Following Platinum Jubilee

7 June 2022 | 11:49 am | Staff Writer

"It’s the institution of it that bothers me and the assumption that I’m to pay for that.”

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Sex Pistols' anti-monarchy anthem God Save The Queen has topped charts across the UK 45 years after its release. 

The track has been propelled to the top of the charts following a reissue of the song for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

The song is headed to the Top 5 of the Official UK Singles Chart and is #1 on the Music Streaming Service Chart.

God Save The Queen was the Sex Pistols' highly controversial second single that calls the monarchy a "fascist regime"Despite being banned on the BBC, the song reached #2 on the UK Singles Chart around its release.

On the reissue, John Lydon commented on his stance in a new essay which read, “She’s put up with a lot. I’ve got no animosity against any one of the royal family. Never did… It’s the institution of it that bothers me and the assumption that I’m to pay for that.”

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He also retracted the message of the Sex Pistols' debut single Anarchy In The U.K., stating, “Anarchy is a terrible idea."

He added: "Let’s get that clear. I’m not an anarchist. And I’m amazed that there are websites out there — .org anarchist sites — funded fully by the corporate hand and yet ranting on about being outside the shitstorm.

"It’s preposterous. And they’re doing it in designer Dr. Martens, clever little rucksacks and nicely manufactured balaclavas.”