BBC Radio 2 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Light Programme.

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The People's Songs

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Stuart Maconie tells the story of modern Britain via the songs that provided a soundtrack.

Featuring memories contributed by Radio 2 listeners, Stuart Maconie narrates the story of post-war Britain via 50 records that soundtracked this dramatic and kaleidoscopic period.

The People's Songs: Gold - Thatcherism and the aspiration of the 80s

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Factual: History

Gold - Thatcherism and the aspiration of the 80s

03/07/2013

BBC Radio 2 - The People's Songs, Gold - Thatcherism and the aspiration of the 80s

How the aspirational culture of Thatcherism became reflected in the UK's charts.

Stuart Maconie on the history of modern Britain in 50 records, including how the aspirational culture of Thatcherism became reflected in the UK's charts.

When Margaret Thatcher came to power in May 1979, she declared she was determined to drag Britain out of the strike-bound '70s; as the memorable campaign poster had it: Labour isn't working. Thatcher was determined to reverse the nation's economic decline, and what she saw as the Union's all-too-powerful grip on much of the working class. The nation's first female Prime Minister heralded serious and sweeping change.

But with someone as divisive as Thatcher, there were plenty of acts that were willing to take a stand against her and what she stood for.

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Gold - Thatcherism and the aspiration of the 80s

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