Pretty Vacant
"Pretty Vacant" | |
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Song |
"Pretty Vacant" was the third single released by punk band the Sex Pistols. This ode to apathy was released on July 2, 1977. Provocatively, in the chorus the name of the song is sung with heavy emphasis on the final syllable; so that it sounds like the word cunt.[original research?] Despite this, this song marked the band's only appearance on the British music show Top of the Pops during their heyday, as they thought it was John Lydon's Irish accent. Also, according to Glen Matlock the riff was inspired by "S.O.S." by ABBA after hearing it on the radio.
The song was featured in the 1981 Ralph Bakshi movie American Pop.
The B-side is a cover of The Stooges' "No Fun" and lasts about 7 minutes, almost twice the length of the original.
"Pretty Vacant" was used as the theme song to a short-lived 1994 television sketch comedy show called The Vacant Lot.
In March 2005, Q magazine placed the song at number 26 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.
Joey Ramone used the lead riff in his cover of Wonderful World.
South African pop group Shikisha released a cover version of the song in 1996. [1].
The French band Les Négresses Vertes as well as grime MC Lady Sovereign have both covered "Pretty Vacant" and performed live versions of the song.