1980's song #1

What's your favourite 1980's song? Here's one to offer you, Ghost Town by the Specials. I can't believe that it's from 1981. It summed up perfectly the mood of the youth of Britain at the time. With the Thatcherite Revolution in full swing (whether or not the disease required the medicine, or whether the medicine was appropriate is a moot point), but something was clearly wrong in the state of Great Britain at the time. Ghost Town with its swirling organ sounds and thumping insistent beat was a massive smash. It evoked the essence of a central theme of Thatcherism, that is there is no such thing as society. You might as well all move out of your home towns, the industry that sustained them for all these years has failed them and you. Move to somewhere you can get a job.

30 years on and despite the current financial plight in which we find ourselves, Britain does have a stronger economy, but at what cost? The Specials' hit single was of its time and the devastation of industry, town centres, safe employment so instantly brought to mind are mere memories, but the social rifts caused are genuine and still impact upon us today. Ultimately, it's the battle between Capitalism and Keynesism which has been won and lost. Ask yourself, which thread does Tony Blair have more of an allegiance to?

This town, is coming like a ghost town,
All the clubs have been closed down...