Firstly, no question of Elvis disowning the song - someone mentioned earlier his searing anger even discussing the subject on the Late Show, I think this more than explains any reluctance to revisit the subject on a light entertainment show ten years later.Jack of All Parades wrote:I am in full agreement with these two posters and their thoughtful posts. I truly hope EC takes full ownership of the song and willingly utilizes it as he tours up and down the countryside in the coming months. Her impact upon your country needs to be seriously called into question as his song forcefully does- the devastation she let loose upon the Northern shires[hell through out the island] is still palpable and will be so for many years to come as any student of her 'revolution' can see by studying the graphs and economic reports and by reading the histories. The Guardian piece that Otis shares argues reasonably for why EC and others need to speak out now- the hagiography that is underway needs to be countered. I have a friend who takes it a step further as he has stated that if EC "somehow disowns the song, then he will have officially crossed the line from 'repentant former irritant' to 'complacent kiss ass.'" Could not agree more.
People could use a little bit of this type of spirit and EC could provide it:
http://youtu.be/UASyS-jUKKI
EC needs to take these lines to heart:
"Now get yourself a song to sing and sing it 'til you're done
Yeah, sing it hard and sing it well"
Secondly, hagiography or otherwise, I afraid it isn't Elvis Costello, Billy Bragg, Morrissey or Richard Thompson's responsibility to counter the arguments put forward for Thatcher's legacy. Their contributions were made 25 years ago, they stand as works of art - relevant ones for those of us who relate to them - but they are no more or less relevant because a deranged, demented and personality disordered old woman happens to have chosen April 2013 to shuffle off this mortal coil.
Thatcher's revolution is over, it's done, it can't be changed, many will never forgive or forget. We have been living with the consequences for years. So I would rather see any of the above artists - or any of their successors - write and perform intelligent, literate, relevant pieces of art which might connect with people today, about what today's politicians are doing to divide and conquer today's society.