There are literally hundreds of songs written about Margaret Thatcher. The
iron lady passed away today, and Britain’s can't decide whether they're happy,
sad or just don't give a shit. Socialists have never been far and few between
in the music industry and as the biggest cluster of UK socialism came about in
punk rock, a conservative leader emerged. It's the late 70s and the 'thinking
man's yobs' are inspiring a generation of left-wing ideology. The Clash are
still one of Britain’s great believers in democracy, the band of the people and
the only band that matters. Though The Clash only inspired this period of
British oppression, they never themselves personally attacked Thatcher in their
music. It was mostly the Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Clash inspired Billy Bragg.
Bragg's socialist folk-punk became his trademark instantly, using Thatcher
as his pedestal. It's true that Bragg would be nowhere without Thatcher, his
biggest influence and the most important woman in his life. Bragg said in 1986:
"There
is power in a factory, power in the land, power in the hands of a worker. But it all amounts to nothing if together we don't stand,
there is power in a union." Said right after the miner strikes, high unemployment and the
highest amount of union members. Shouts of socialism came back to Britain as
Bragg covered and adapted this from America's 1862 "Battle Cry of Freedom" and Joe Hill's "There Is Power In A Union". His track "Thatcherites" outlined his
thoughts on Thatcherism during the iron lady's reign. But it's Bragg's
"Between the Wars" that stands out in his anti-Thatcher discography,
with proceeds donated to the striking miner’s fund.
The Beat's "Stand down Margaret" was a simple
message. It wasn't just about having her resign from her post as British prime
minister. They wanted her to get off the high horse, stop talking down to
people and stand down from politics: "I see no chance of your bright new tomorrow, so stand down
Margaret". This left-wing musical following started to hit the
charts, and as punk rock grew, as did the sub-genres and every band that came
with it, all under the united alias of left-wing support. Even music’s biggest
cock Morrissey wrote a hate song towards Thatcher. From his debut solo album Viva
Hate, with creative guitar work by Vini Reilly came "Margaret on the Guillotine". With an album title that
reads Hate, it's no surprise that Morrissey focusses on the eventual
death of Thatcher, going as far to question: "When will you
die?" Times were tough, people’s lives were ruined and The Smiths
had just broken up. However I don't condone Morrissey wishing the death one’s
life, even if this person was turning the country upside down. One day I hope
to find many songs wishing Morrissey to shut up.
There was none more socially equipped than a reggae outfit
from Birmingham fresh off the doll, UB40. 1980's "Madame Medusa" was
a chaotic and angrily directed track to the iron lady: "From
the tombs of ignorance, of hate and greed and lies. Through the smoke of
sacrifice, watch her figure rise." Wherever you turned, artists
were writing songs about Thatcher. Dead Kennedy's, The Specials, Crass and even
Elton John directed songs towards her and the tory party. Chumbawamba trailed
in the background as protest songs became popular once again. Elvis Costello
sang: "I'll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down,"
in 1989, a passionate and attacking song that was felt by those affected by the
tory regime in the 80s. These artists were angry and upset at how her
government were changing Britain; the music tells this story from the working
man and not the newspaper.
Her relationship with popular music is one amusing and bemusing at the same
time. No other prime minister or political leader has received such backlash
and opposition through the use of song. Today artists still sing about
Thatcher, even Frank Turner has a song called "Thatcher Fucked the Kids". These were not your average protest songs. Where the usual protest
songs tackle social unjust and civil unrest, Costello, Bragg and co protested
from the heart and with courage. The anger directed to not a group of people,
but one individual is almost unheard of, Thatcher was this person.
Today marks the day Costello shines his boots and Morrissey finds his
answer, not much else. Thatcher died, but the songs about her will live on.
Careers have been lost and made thanks to the cathargic prime minister. The
hatred is everywhere, today isn't a day of sorrow, and it’s a day of
retribution for the miners, the dockers, those that fell from unemployment and
the musicians that are left-wing. The financial growth and economic policies
that are still rendered positive today doesn't and didn't matter to the
song-writers. Her conservative policies tore down decades of socialism that
Labour had in place.
~Eddie
