“Pretty Vacant” is a song by the English punk rock band the Sex Pistols. It was released on 1 July 1977 as the band’s third single and was later featured on their only album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, released that same year. The song reached number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and marked the band’s first appearance on the British music show Top of the Pops. The song gained attention for vocalist John Lydon’s phrasing of the word “vacant”, emphasizing the last syllable to sound like the vulgar word “cunt”. According to bassist Glen Matlock, the song’s main riff was inspired by hearing “S.O.S.” by ABBA. The B-side of the single was a cover of The Stooges’ “No Fun”, which the band played on the spot without a proper rehearsal. It was taken from demo sessions recorded by producer Dave Goodman. The band made a video of “Pretty Vacant” (as well as one for “God Save the Queen”) on 11 & 12 July 1977 at the studios of ITN in Wells Street, London. They were thrown out after throwing cans of lager at the cameramen on the 11th, but came back on the 12th to finish the recording.
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