Anyone Would Think That It Is 1981 All Over Again

Online, August 9, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The Conservatives are in power (albeit in a coalition with the Liberal Democrats), the economy is struggling, there's been a Royal Wedding, riots in London by an alienated generation...

There is however one important difference. Music. 1981 was soundtracked by Ghost Town by The Specials. What the hell do we get? Swagger Jagger at number 1 in the charts. By Cher Lloyd from the X-Factor. You know, the program that promotes everything that is wrong with the instant celebrity culture we live in today.

There was a point in time when music meant something: that time is now long gone. Where Johnny Rotten stood snarling anti-monarchist sentiment, Lloyd is now in his place singing vacuously about nothing.

Guns of Brixton was social commentary describing the disaffection felt by the residents of Brixton at the turn of the decade to the 1980's. Even though the song was recorded before the riots took place the scenarios depicted soon became reality.

Nowadays the only kind of commentary you are likely to get is what songs get you on the dance floor, or antics of a kinky nature.

Lyrics are not the only aspects of songs that meant something. The accompanying music was full of character, emotion and a reflection of the time. Both Ghost Town and Guns of Brixton are mid-tempo, downbeat compositions - accurately reflecting the social, political, and economic climate created by the Winter of Discontent, which was further exacerbated by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Government.

In his opus Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell wrote:

"If there is hope...it lies in the proles"

That does not seem to be evident - at the moment. What punk and post-punk had in common was a DIY work ethic - from barely being able to play an instrument (step forward Sid Vicious) to forming a band on the spot to fill a slot at the legendary 100 Club in London (ladies and gentlemen Siouxsie and the Banshees), and filming videos on the banks of the Thames (The Clash). They all went and bought instruments, pens, paper and started releasing their frustrations.

Because of the plethora of "reality" TV shows such as X-Factor dictating to the youth of today what they should be doing, listening to and thinking then music made in this country will be dominated by manufactured bubblegum pop "artists". When those who want to do something about this situation come out of the woodwork we will have a musical, and possible, cultural revolution. That is what the disaffected and disillusioned should be doing, not rioting.