Why Songwriter of Banned 1977 Hit Compared King Charles to 'Love Island'
Punk is known for being anti-establishment, and there was one 1977 song that people thought went too far. It would probably get the same reception if it were released today. Here is why the Sex Pistols' songwriter of "God Save the Queen" compared King Charles to the country's hit summer reality show.
Glen Matlock Performed 'God Save the King' for King Charles' Coronation
There was a lot of attention on the British Royal Family for Queen Elizabeth II's 25th anniversary of taking the throne in 1977. The British band used that timing to make a statement about the establishment.
"God save the Queen/The fascist regime/It made you a moron/Potential H-bomb/God save the Queen/She ain't no human being/There is no future/In England's dreaming," is the opening of the song.
Bassist Glen Matlock was a co-writer of the song that led to A&M Records dropping the band. Radio stations banned it. However, it later became a hit and Matlock, 69, brought it back for King Charles' coronation in 2023. He changed the words to "God Save the King."
The bassist made his views on the British family clear. "There's just so many people in destitution at the moment in this country," he said, according to The Guardian. "I think it's kind of rubbing their noses in it a little bit. It's all a distraction, but that's the country we live in."
There is another "distraction" that Matlock mentioned. "I think things are bleak for a lot of people and I think the royal family is, like, kind of pretty much the same as Love Island or [The] X Factor," he said. "They're kind of the opium of the masses, just keeping people quiet."
He performed the new version of the song at the 100 Club in London. It didn't become a chart-topping hit like the original version, but still sent a strong message.
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 6:44 AM.