It's been forty years since the 1984–5 United Kingdom miners' strike and The Music Show has dug into the archives for a special program looking at the role that music played in this political, industrial and personal struggle. From Peggy Seeger to Paul Weller, Billy Bragg to brass bands—there's music supporting the striking miners, songs tormenting strikebreakers and tracks referencing (and sometimes sampling) National Union of Mineworkers leader Arthur Scargill and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of East Anglia John Street guides us through the history and music of this divisive time, plus we hear interviews from the ABC archives with folklorist A L Lloyd, singer songwriter Billy Bragg, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, folk singers Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger and composer David Lumsdaine.
More Information
For more on the history of English protest song check out John Street's expansive research project Our Subversive Voice.
Music heard in this program:
Title: Coal Not Dole
Artist: Chumbawamba
Composer: Kay Sutcliffe, Matt Fox
Album: English Rebel Songs 1381-1984
Label: Mutt Records MUTTCD004
Title: Daddy, What Did You Do In The Strike?
Artist: Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger, Calum MacColl
Composer: Ewan MacColl
Album: Daddy, What Did You Do In The Strike?
Label: Independent
Title: The Blackleg Miner
Artist: Steeleye Span
Composer: Traditional
Album: Hark! The Village Wait
Label: United Artists Records SUAL-934188
Title: Which Side Are You On?
Artist: Billy Bragg
Composer: Florence Reece
Album: Brewing Up With
Label: Go! Discs AGOLP 4
Title: Statement
Artist: Test Dept
Composer: Test Dept
Album: The Unacceptable Face Of Freedom
Label: Ministry Of Power MOP 2
Title: Comrades In Arms
Artist: Test Dept & the South Wales Striking Miners Choir
Composer: George Linley, Adolphe Adam
Album: Shoulder To Shoulder
Label: Ministry Of Power MOP 1
Title: Strike!
Artist: The Enemy Within
Composer: The Enemy Within
Album: Support The Miners
Label: Rough Trade RTT 151
Title: Only You
Artist: The Flying Pickets
Composer: Vince Clarke
Album: 12" single
Label: Virgin TEN 14-12
Title: This Land Is Your Land (live)
Artist: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
Composer: Woody Guthrie
Album: Live 1975-85
Label: CBS 450227 1
Title: The Men Below
Artist: Latin Quarter
Composer: Michael Jones, Steve Skaith
Album: Mick And Caroline
Label: Rockin' Horse Records VPL 1 7571
Title: Soul Deep
Artist: Paul Weller & Council Collective
Composer: Michael Talbot, Paul Weller
Album: Our Favourite Shop (Deluxe Edition)
Label: Polydor 825 700-1
Title: The Powte's Complaint
Artist: The Shackleton Trio
Composer: Penny of Wisbech
Album: Fen, Farm & Deadly Water
Label: Independent
Title: 4 Degrees
Artist: ANOHNI
Composer: Anohni, Ross Birchard, Daniel Lopatin
Album: Hopelessness
Label: Rough Trade RTRADCD823
The Music Show is produced on Gadigal and Gundungurra Country
Technical production by John Jacobs