Alfie Boe is confident his charity single version of the national anthem will beat the Sex Pistols’ re-issue of their similarly-titled song (Picture: Getty/Rex)
Alfie Boe has said the British national anthem would ‘wipe the floor’ with the Sex Pistols in a chart battle ahead of the Platinum Jubilee.
The tenor, 48, has teamed up with soprano Sarah Brightman, 61, to release a version of God Save The Queen, featuring the NHS Voices of Care Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, in celebration of the milestone.
The Sex Pistols, meanwhile, are reissuing their once-banned punk rock song, which shares its title with the national anthem, in physical form, which could prompt a boost in sales.
The group, who are the subjects of new Danny Boyle-directed Disney Plus series Pistol, released their anti-authoritarian hit in 1977 to mark the silver jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, and it was banned by the BBC.
Despite this, the song reached number two in the UK singles charts.
Boe told the PA news agency: ‘They don’t stand a chance. We would wipe the floor with them. There is no question. This song is our national anthem. Everybody knows it, it is so triumphant.
Singer Boe has teamed up with Sarah Brightman and the NHS Voices of Care Choir (Picture: PA)
The new recording is in support of the British Red Cross charity, of which the Queen is patron (Picture: Warner Classics)
‘When we were on a TV show the other day, the minute we played a little clip of the song, everybody in the studio completely stood like soldiers and got very patriotic behind it and started singing along, so that is the effect that it has.
‘It is not about competition. It’s just about recognition of Her Majesty, recognition of the British Red Cross charity that the proceeds will be going to and recognition for the NHS choir in thanks.
‘It would be wonderful if we could get this to number one for Her Majesty, just to say thank you for everything she has done.
‘But I think first and foremost if we can get behind it and raise the money for the charity, that is what is most important.’
Boe and Brightman’s release will be a double A-side, with their new duet on the A-side and the original recording of God Save The Queen from the Queen’s coronation on the B-side.
The Sex Pistols in 1977, signing a new record contract outside Buckingham Palace (Picture: PA)
The Sex Pistols’ God Save The Queen was banned by the BBC but still reached number two on the charts in 1977 (Picture: Jamie Reid/Q Magazine)
The recording of the BBC’s broadcast of the coronation service from Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, was taken by means of a direct line to Abbey Road Studios in London.
The song was first released on LP in 1953 and later reissued on CD in 1997.
Proceeds will be donated to the British Red Cross, of which the Queen is a patron.
Brightman said of the NHS Voices of Care Choir: ‘They are fantastic. Doing their busy work schedules and everything they do, and they find time to do this.
‘They have been so caring over the last few years while we have been going through absolute horror.
‘It is just an amazing thing that they can do this.’
Soprano and former West End leading lady Sarah Brightman, who duets with Alfie Boe on the national anthem (Picture: Robin Little/Redferns)
Boe added: ‘When they formed and they were using the power of music to help people through such a difficult time, we have to get behind them 100% to praise them for what they are doing.
‘But like Sarah says, a lot of the members of the choir take their own free time to come and do this.
‘They are working crazy hours in the hospitals and then whatever time they have with their families they choose to go and do this work with the choir – so a lot of credit to them.’
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The NHS Voices of Care Choir consists of health service employees and was originally put together by music producer James Hawkins to perform with singer Michael Ball and Captain Sir Tom Moore on their version of You’ll Never Walk Alone, which topped the charts in 2020.
The single is available to download worldwide on iTunes, Amazon Music and across select digital streaming platforms. The CD single will be available at select UK Asda stores and other retailers.
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