Song Clearance Sheet
6 sources citedGod Save the Queen
Punk Rock1970s152BPM
A majKey
More around 150 BPM → · More in A major →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (all four Sex Pistols), no ownership dispute — the story here is one of the most extensive censorship campaigns in British history (BBC ban, retailer refusals, physical attacks), documented factually in Cultural Impact, including Lydon’s own later nuance.
Used by independents?
Unconfirmed — the page doesn't yet document enough sampler detail to tell.
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Glen Matlock, John Lydon, Paul Cook & Steve Jones
American Songwriter → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — originally Virgin Records; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Co → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — a landmark punk single, endlessly reissued and licensed; #1 on the NME chart, officially #2 (amid persistent chart-rigging rumors).
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record and no ownership dispute.
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Glen Matlock, John Lydon, Paul Cook & Steve Jones
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
One of the most censored singles in British history
The BBC banned it outright (May 31, 1977) as “gross bad taste”; the IBA refused airplay and Woolworth refused to stock it. An MP argued pop attacking British institutions should be destroyed. Band members reportedly faced physical attacks with razors and iron bars.
History.com · read it →
Huge sales and a persistent chart-rigging rumor
Despite the ban it reportedly sold up to 150,000 copies a day, hitting #1 on the NME chart but officially stalling at #2 behind Rod Stewart. Persistent rumors allege major retailers’ sales were excluded that week to keep it off #1 during Jubilee week — a documented rumor, not confirmed fact.
AOL / Men’s Journal · read it →
The legendary Thames boat stunt
A week after the ban, the band performed on a boat on the Thames near Parliament during the Jubilee, arranged by Virgin’s Richard Branson; police boarded and shut it down, arresting manager Malcolm McLaren.
Riot Fest · read it →
A later, more nuanced reflection from Lydon
John Lydon has since said he doesn’t personally consider the Queen “not human” as the lyric suggests, that he isn’t fundamentally opposed to the royals as people, and has expressed admiration for the Queen’s longevity — worth including rather than flattening the song into a simple anti-monarchist statement.
American Songwriter · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A punk landmark — widely reissued
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
SP
Matlock, Lydon, Cook & Jones
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
References
Every source cited on this page — 6 in total
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Batch 5)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending a separate manual keyfinder pass