Groundbreaking British punk rock hellions the Sex Pistols were ferocious, brash and royally outspoken on their controversial anthem, “God Save the Queen.” With a cover emblazoned with a defaced photo of Queen Elizabeth II, the band’s second single featured singer Johnny Rotten ranting about England's “fascist regime.” Unleashed during the Queen’s 1977 Silver Jubilee, the band attempted to play the song on a boat across from Westminster Palace. The song pummeled its way to #2 on the British charts, although authorities tried to ban it from radio airplay.