QE II The 3rd 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 1972-81 M

There was turmoil in Britain with riots and Margaret Thatcher unpopular in her role as Prime Minister. Elizabeth celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1977. In the same year, she welcomed her first grandchild. In 1981, her heir Charles married Diana.

Rock music grew heavier with the emergence of British bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. Among the musical highlights of this decade are Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side Of the Moon’, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Kate Bush’s debut LP ‘The Kick Inside’. Punk rock and new wave crashed into the mainstream via recordings by The Sex Pistols, Elvis Costello, The Clash and The Jam.

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SMOKE ON THE WATER Deep Purple  

CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE Slade  

TIME Pink Floyd

DOWN DOWN Status Quo  

  BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Queen  

ANARCHY IN THE UK The Sex Pistols  

WUTHERING HEIGHTS Kate Bush

OLIVER’S ARMY Elvis Costello

LONDON CALLING The Clash    

GOING UNDERGROUND The Jam

ASHES TO ASHES David Bowie

IN THE AIR TONIGHT Phil Collins

GHOST TOWN The Specials

DON’T YOU WANT ME Human League

 

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