Number 88 - Never Mind the Bollocks by the Sex Pistols

 Number 88: Never Mind the Bollocks by The Sex Pistols

The most famous one-and-done

Release: November 11th, 1977
Genre: Punk
Favorite Tracks: Holidays in the Sun, God Save the Queen, Anarchy in the U.K.

 

Where I heard it: 

No matter what direction in life I took, I feel as if it was destiny that I eventually crossed paths with the Sex Pistols. Their reputation as poster children of British punk and pioneers of the genre helped maintain their relevance through generations. Personally, I first heard the Sex Pistols' flagship song Anarchy in the U.K. as a part of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 soundtrack when I was six years old. For the tastes of a young boy, Anarchy in the U.K. was tame enough to cultivate my enjoyment and stick with me as I grew older. I started hearing more of the Sex Pistols throughout the 2000's with their inclusion in more 'extreme' forms of media like the Jackass series and the Guitar Hero franchise. It must have been just before the turn of the decade where I began doing my research on the band, and discovered that all of my favorite songs came from the same album: Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols. In fact, it was the only album the Sex Pistols ever released. My teenage self was astounded that a band with under an hour worth of recorded content could possibly achieve the status they had in punk lore. What was so special about Never Mind the Bollocks that made it an instant classic?

 

You do not believe we're for real
Or you would lose your cheap appeal?
Don't judge a book just by the cover
Unless you cover just another
And blind acceptance is a sign
Of stupid fools who stand in line 
~ EMI

 

What to expect:

Punk music began its charge from the underground toward the mainstream in the mid-70's, led by legendary acts like the Ramones and The Clash. The Sex Pistols formed in 1975 as a sort of contrast to this cleaner, radio-friendly brand of punk that was polluting the airwaves. It's amazing that Never Mind the Bollocks ever saw the light of day, considering the tumultuous path it took to its release. The band was dropped from their label after three months following an on-air debacle. Original bassist Glen Matlock left the band after recording 10 of the 12 songs on Never Mind the Bollocks. The addition of punk icon Sid Vicious bolstered the band's nasty reputation, but Sid's dreadful bass implored guitarist Steve Jones to record the remaining bass tracks. Despite the best efforts of the opposition, the Sex Pistols unleashed Never Mind the Bollocks unto the masses. Everything associated with this album from the production to the execution is left in a raw state which embraces its flaws and makes them strengths. Laden with blatant expletives and harsh criticism of the monarchy, this album redefined the conventions of what punk music represents: social contrarianism with a heavy dose of anti-establishment and a dash of violent undertones. Punk as a concept owes so much to the image the Sex Pistols marketed in a time where their deviancy alone demonized them in the eyes of the public. They wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

God save the Queen
The fascist regime
They made you a moron
A potential H-bomb
God save the Queen
She ain't no human being
There is no future in England's dreaming
~ God Save the Queen
 

Why it's my favorite: 

The Sex Pistols were the first instance of a band with only one studio release that I encountered. Since then, I've been obsessively drawn to one-album wonders. Strangely, I found there's a lot of iconic punk bands who only put out 1-2 albums during their period of activity. Without question, Never Mind the Bollocks and the Sex Pistols' notoriety as one-album wonders is unparalleled among the rest. I was dumbfounded at the notion that a band with this high of regard could just come and go like that. The mythos of the Sex Pistols enamored me in my rebellious youth with their boisterous attitudes and shocking appearance. Never Mind the Bollocks contains a bluntness to every track which resonates with me even to this day. Vocalist Johnny Rotten furiously projects every syllable with unrivaled force. While not the most technical display, the catchy power-chord riffs increase the impact of every entry on the album. We may never see another act with as much short-lived success as the Sex Pistols again, and that fact alone earns Never Mind the Bollocks a spot on this list.