"God save the Queen, she ain't no human being" - Johnny Rotten

The Sex Pistols' anarchic tribute to Queen Elizabeth II - God Save the Queen - is being re-released to mark her Golden Jubilee.

Virgin Records plans to release God Save the Queen on May 27, hoping it will top the charts when Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 50 years on the throne during the first weekend in June.

The song - in which singer Johnny Rotten snarls, "God save the Queen, she ain't no human being" - shot up the charts on its release in 1977, despite receiving little radio or television airplay.

It peaked at number two, below Rod Stewart's I Don't Want to Talk About It, but rumours persist that the Sex Pistols' song sold more copies.

A Virgin spokeswoman said: "What we really want is for it to finally gain the number one spot. It will certainly be an alternative to the Jubilee."

Infamous for their rebellious attitude and rowdy gigs, the Sex Pistols were dropped by record labels EMI and A&M in quick succession before Virgin signed them in 1977.

Virgin released God Save the Queen on May 27 - it has the the infamous Jamie Reid cover image of the Queen with lettering cut from newspaper headlines covering her eyes and mouth.

The band celebrated the song's initial release with a party on a boat called Queen Elizabeth on the River Thames. Police raided the party and arrested many of the guests.