They spent the day eulogizing the former prime minister, who likely put a stamp on British politics, for better or for worse, for more than a decade
But few political leaders were as hated as Margaret Thatcher either.
In fact it’s safe to say that there was more than one song over the years built around this very moment, as in Pete Wylie’s “The Day That Margaret Thatcher Dies” (“And nobody cried!” claims the chorus) and Hefner’s “The Day That Thatcher Dies” which segues into a rousing “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead.”
Her harsh conservatism and opposition to union miners in an age of already defiant punk rock made her a target for as long as she was in office (though interestingly neither the Sex Pistols nor the Clash recorded anything specifically about her).
But there was more than enough bile to make up a seething setlist of songs that won’t be played at the wake.
- “Tramp the Dirt Down,” Elvis Costello An intense ballad about her graveside, considering the soldiers who went to their death over the wars she enorsed.
- “Thatcherites,” Billy Bragg One of a number of his songs that could have made the list.
- “Margaret on the Guillotine,” Morrissey The former Smiths star did not engender himself to the government when he put this ditty on his first solo album.
- “Stand Down Margaret,” The Beat The catchiest of the anti-Thatcher songs was one of the most popular songs on this list.
- I’ll Dance on Your Grave, Mrs. Thatcher,” John McCullagh Biting recent folk song from Australian artist.
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“Shipbuilding,” Robert Wyatt A scathing song about the Falklands War, sung by Elvis Costello but also by this art rock legend.
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“Maggie’s Farm,” The Specials Bob Dylan’s song was appropriated by many to refer to the prime minister, but particularly in this B side.
- “The Fletcher Memorial Home,” Pink Floyd The psychedelic band sang of the home “for incurable tyrants and kings” that included Thatcher as resident.