QE II The 4th Decade. Continues tomorrow.

Elizabeth II

The SOUNDTRACK To Her REIGN

(1952-2022)

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With more than 70 years on the throne, Elizabeth II ruled during decades of immense change. Here are songs that demonstrate how radically British popular music evolved throughout her reign. These selections- one for every year she ruled- reflect shifts in popular culture across the seven decades.

N 1982-91 M

Thatcher was still a divisive force in English politics. The Falklands War erupted in 1982. That same year, an intruder made his way into the sleeping monarch’s bedroom in Buckingham Palace. Charles and Diana’s marriage began to crumble.

Synth-pop became ubiquitous, thanks to dancefloor staples such as New Order’s “Blue Monday”, The Human League’s ‘Dare’ LP, Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s “Relax” and Pet Shop Boys’ “West End Girls”. 

Duran Duran, Eurythmics, The Police, Wham! and Peter Gabriel were among the acts to use music videos most effectively. New Romantics emerged as a new breed of British acts began a fresh offensive attack on charts around the world spearheaded by acts such as Culture Club, Spandau Ballet, Adam & The Ants and Tears For Fears.

Band Aid brought together the cream of British pop to fight world famine. The charity disc led to America’s response (U.S.A. For Africa’s “We Are The World”) and the mammoth global event Live Aid. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber, one of the heroes of the West End, reached new heights with his musical adaptation of “The Phantom Of The Opera”. The Stock/ Aitken/ Waterman songwriting/ production team churned out hits for the likes of Brits Rick Astley and Bananarama as well as Australian Kylie Minogue.

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SWEET DREAMS (ARE MADE OF THIS) Eurythmics  

IS THERE SOMETHING I SHOULD KNOW? Duran Duran  

BLUE MONDAY New Order

  EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE The Police  

OWNER OF A BROKEN HEART Yes  

KARMA CHAMELEON Culture Club

WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO-GO Wham!

DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS? Band Aid    

YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE The Crowd

MONEY FOR NOTHING Dire Straitse

WEST END GIRLS Pet Shop Boys

SLEDGEHAMMER Peter Gabriel

NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP Rick Astley

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman et al.

 

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