It’s no secret that Margaret Thatcher was not a popular woman. In fact, a lot of people still hate her. But with anger comes inspiration, and a slew of songs that reference the former prime minister (either directly or obliquely) might just be the way you decide to mark her passing, which happened today. She was 87.
Elvis Costello, “Tramp the Dirt Down” (1989)
“When England was the whore of the world
Margaret was her madam
And the future looked as bright and as clear as
The black tarmacadam”
“Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher,” from Billy Elliot
“So merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher
May God’s love be with you
We all sing together in one breath
Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher
We all celebrate today
‘Cause it’s one day closer to your death”
Morrissey, “Margaret on the Guillotine” (1988)
“When will you die?
When will you die?
When will you die?
When will you die?
When will you die?”
Sinéad O’Connor, “Black Boys on Mopeds” (1990)
“England’s not the mythical land of Madame George and roses
It’s the home of police who kill blacks boys on mopeds
And I love my boy and that’s why I’m leaving
I don’t want him to be aware that there’s
Any such thing as grieving.”
Billy Bragg, “Thatcherites” (1996)
“Your doctrines I must blame, you will hear
You privatise away what is ours, what is ours
You privatise away what is ours
You privatise away and then you make us pay”
Chumbawamba, “Fitzwilliam” (1982)
“Less than a whisper from Commons and Lords
Retreats from the front when they most need support
Woman and woman in opposing extremes
Between man-made heaven and popular dreams.”
The Specials, “Ghost Town” (1981)
“Why must the youth fight against themselves?
Government leaving the youth on the shelf
This place, is coming like a ghost town
No job to be found in this country”
Robert Wyatt, “Shipbuilding” (1982)
“It’s just a rumor that was spread around town
Somebody said that someone got filled in
For saying that people get killed in
The result of this shipbuilding
With all the will in the world”
The Blow Monkeys feat. Curtis Mayfield, “Celebrate (The Day After You)” (1987)
“I haven’t seen a soul
from the very young to the very old
who hasn’t got a story
and it’s time their story’s told”