By 1977, the monarchy was seen as just another outdated institution to rail against.
Along with the Government, the schools, religion, commercialisation, disco music, 3-day weeks, boredom, and poverty – the Monarchy was very near the top of the list of Punk’s prime targets. The Queen’s face stared out from Westwood’s T-shirts, and young, newly politicised Punks were questioning everything, including the Royal family, who seemed outmoded, out numbered, and old-fashioned. They were clearly part of the wider problem, they were the arch establishment, and had to be called out. In 1977 the establishment’s Silver Jubilee celebrations were planned as Pomp, Circumstance, lots more Pomp and some street parties for the little people – just like on VE Day, only with more Jammie Dodgers and less talk of the War. As the world’s media turned its attention to the UK, the calling out could begin.
“There are not many songs written over baked beans at the breakfast table that went on to divide a nation and force a change in popular culture.” – John Lydon
The Sex Pistols “God Save The Queen” not only takes its title from our national anthem, but goes on to rhyme “Queen” with “fascist regime”, and compare’s royalists and supporters to “morons”.
The release of the single, perfectly timed to coincide with the Silver Jubilee, received a total airplay ban from the BBC because, in their own words, the single was an example of “gross bad taste” – which is exactly what it was supposed to be. On top of this, many High Street retailers, including Woolworth’s, refused to stock it. Normally either of these things would be the commercial kiss of death to any potential chart bound single, but in this case, and because the BBC were seen as lumpy and square, the ban seemed to work just as effectively as an endorsement, and the single went onto sell an estimated 150,000 copies a day between late May
On the day itself, June 7th 1977, The Sex Pistols took to the waters of the Thames for their infamous Jubilee Boat Trip, with the intention of blasting “God Save The Queen” from the giant onboard speakers. The police responded by docking the boat and arresting practically everyone on board. Meanwhile, people had started to plan their own “Stuff the Jubilee” parties, which were as much about finding a common cause to kick against with like-minded people, as they were about sharing the music. By now, even the Union Jack had an association with Punk, and the Jubilee bunting simply served as a further subliminal reminder that we were in the middle of a cultural revolution.
The more recent Royal occasions may feel more inclusive, possibly something to do with the massive PR machine whose job it is to make it seem that way, but old style Punk girls will always recognise the establishment enemy when they see it and never forget the filth and the fury, the shock the horror, and the excitement of that first truly glorious Jubilee summer of Punk.
Hah! I didn’t even know there was a royal wedding until my wife told me about it! Well timed posting! I do not understand the approval for “royals” who suck on the nation like privileged ticks! When my wife was looking up the wedding The Guardian [!] made a mention of how several thousand “commoners” were invited as a point of “inclusion.” With a loaded word like that thrown around, I’ll take the insult straight to my face, thank you very much!
You know I was watching some hilights of the royal wedding this morning and when the congregation started singing God Save The Queen all I could think about was the Sex Pistols. I wish someone woulda jumped outa the crowd and smashed a banana cream pie right on Prince Harry’s bald spot.