The former prime minister inspired bitter tunes by Elvis Costello, Morrissey, Pink Floyd and many others. She died today at 87 — though her death was celebrated by musicians years ago.
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Margaret Thatcher served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. Nicknamed the Iron Lady, Thatcher was known for her steadfast conservative politics. Thatcher's term coincided with a boom in English music in the wake of the punk movement, and much of this music harshly criticized her policies or straight up attacked her on a personal level. Bands tapped into the atmosphere of anger and discontent in Thatcher's England, singing about everything from high unemployment rates to the Falklands War.
The Not Sensibles, "I'm In Love With Margaret Thatcher" [1979]
Though most songs about Thatcher make her out to be a villain, this song, released shortly after she was elected to office, is rather light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek.
The English Beat, "Stand Down Margaret" [1980]
2-tone ska legends The Beat were among the first to condemn Thatcher in song with this cut from their album I Just Can't Stop It.
