A title with a sneer, and all kinds of irony, one of three classics from the ultimate punk band is a tribute to Britishness and finger up the establishment, and never more appropriate than now. Aside from its Queen's Silver Jubilee context, in the light of recent and forthcoming political and sporting events, from Brexit to the World Cup, the line "England Is Dreaming" captures the UK's predicament most pithily. and powerfully. It is easy to forget that while it has endured, Britain's punk era was short and sharp, always aware that it could end tomorrow. Perhaps that's why it has remained influential in pop and rock. Written by Glen Matlock, John Lydon, Paul Cook, and Steve Jones, and from 1977's Never Mind The Bollocks, it was the second of the singles triumvirate between Anarchy In The UK and Pretty Vacant, which also remain just as fresh and prescient today as 41 years ago.
[Verse 1]
God save the queen, the fascist regime
They 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
Don't be told what you want, don't be told what you need
There's no future, no future, no future for you
God save the queen, we mean it man
We love our queen, God saves
[Verse 2]
God save the queen, cause tourists are money
And our figurehead is not what she seems
Oh, God save history, God save your mad parade
Oh, Lord, God have mercy, all crimes are paid
When there's no future, how can there be sin
We're the flowers in the dustbin
We're the poison in your human machine
We're the future, your future
God save the queen, we mean it man
We love our queen, God saves
God save the queen, we mean it man
And there is no future in England's dreaming
No future, no future, no future for you
No future, no future, no future for me...
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