"Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of all Margaret
Thatcher’s victims," a statement from Chumbawamba, seven years
after recording their EP awaiting her death. The anarcho-punk band sold In
Memoriam: Margaret Thatcher at their shows in 2005, promising people to
release the actual content on the day of her death - so here we are. This is a
10 minute EP dedicated to the passing of Margaret Thatcher. Chumbawamba's
political stance in the 80s never changed, even after years of commercial success
and line-up changes, Chumbawamba carried on opposing the iron lady.
In Memoriam: Margaret Thatcher isn't an attack on Thatcher; it's a
statement of rebellion showed by many bands that were active during the 80s,
and the artists of present day Britain. Although Chumbawamba moved over from
opposing left-wing politics in the 00s and became almost regretful of their
pop boom and began opposing modern day relics and modern music without its
twists and turns, with The Boy Bands Have Won. This album also included
one the only songs written about Charles Darwin, "Charlie".
It opens with a 20 second introduction of YouTube cuts of news pieces and
speeches regarding Maggy. Jude Abbott then sings straightforward lyrics to the
chirpy "So Long, So Long". A 50 second Spanish segment called
"Pinochet Bids Farewell From Beyond The
Grave", in relation to Augusto Pinochet, the former
President of Chile.
"The Day The Lady Died" is a 90 second
cutting and clipping of more speeches, stories and Abbott singing on top of a
swanky electronic beat. It brings back a lighter, somewhat empathetic version
of their fantastic anti-fascist classic "The Day The Nazi Died". Then the 30 second "Ring
The Bells" evokes the British citizens passion of protest with campaigning
the track "Ding Dong!" from The Wizard of Oz. Smokey
Robinson & The Miracles' "The Tears Of A Clown" can be heard in
the opening seconds.
One of the only direct songs on the EP is
"Waiting For Margaret To Go", sang by Abbott once again. It's a splendid
Chumbawamba track with all their usual characteristics, with the premise of not
having to wait for Maggy to die. The
EP ends with Chumbawamba singing a lullaby to Maggy, passing her on to the
other side. A delicious closer with harmony. In Memoriam: Margaret Thatcher works
as a stand-alone, freebie EP. It was sold in 2005 with the promise of
Thatcher's death, and that's the catch here. If In Memoriam: Margaret
Thatcher was released prior to her death, it wouldn't be as important, and
nobody would probably care. Knowing that Chumbawamba went into the studio in
2005 to record an EP for their fans against Thatcher is both comforting and
dedicating to their whole ethic. Chumbawamba passed away in 2012, but they kept
their promise and delivered their EP with samples galore and Frankie Boyle's
comedy. This is an interesting listen, but it doesn't cover deeper themes and
only tackles the death of Thatcher, which is where In Memoriam: Margaret
Thatcher falls short.
~Eddie
6.5