[bbfan1991]

Sex Pistols have announced plans to re-release one of their most controversial hits.

The band will re-issue 1977's 'God Save The Queen' on May 28, a week before the monarchy celebrates her Diamond Jubilee.

However, the track is being re-released to celebrate its own 35th anniversary when it was written and released in co-ordination with the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977.

The hit technically outsold Rod Stewart's 'I Don't Want To Talk About It'/'The First Cut Is The Deepest', but ended up peaking at number two on the UK singles chart.

Frontman John Lydon recently told NME that he doesn't believe rumours that The Queen personally prevented the song from reaching the top spot.

"That's a lie, isn't it?" he said. "Those poor people, they're born into a hamster cage and they have no say on anything. In that respect the Queen and I are in agreement!"

Sex Pistols recently signed a new recording contract with Universal Music to release a 35th anniversary repackage of their 1977 album Never Mind The B**locks, which features 'God Save The Queen'.

[King Gizzard]

deary me, first the country life ads, now this

Johnny selling out big time

[joeysteele]

I don't really see the point of re-releasing it,I listened to it earlier and thought it sounded awful anyway.

[Mrluvaluva]

I would much rather have a copy of the original A&M 7". Have you seen how much they go for?

[Mrluvaluva]

John Lydon has distanced himself from the scheduled re-release of Sex Pistols' 'God Save The Queen' next month.

Yesterday (April 16), it was announced the band's controversial classic would be re-released on May 28, almost 35 years to the day that it first hit shelves and ruffled feathers around the Queen's Silver Jubilee.

With this year's 35th anniversary re-release also coinciding with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Lydon has released a statement claiming he is unhappy with the "campaign to push 'God Save The Queen' for the Number 1 spot over the Jubilee weekend."

He commented:It is certainly not my personal plan or aim. I am proud of what the Sex Pistols achieved and always will be but this campaign totally undermines what the Sex Pistols stood for. This is not my campaign.

Lydon continued by acknowledging that although he is "pleased" that a new generation of music fans are being given the chance to discover the punk legends' music, he wants "no part in the circus that is being built up around" the release.

He concluded that he was instead focusing on Public Image Ltd, his post-Pistols band who are preparing to release their first album for 20 years – also on May 28.

The post-punk band, who made their live comeback last month, are also set to release an EP titled 'One Drop' this Saturday (April 21), to coincide with this year's Record Store Day.


NME

[Ramsay]

PiL