England in the 1980s

Watch the following videos so that you become familiar with the time period in England.

1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRmFgx4AaZg

The 80s: Ten years that changed Britain

2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GFonv4NKTQ

A Witness to Poverty Nottingham

3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJEQtPxpUr4

Modern England 1979 - 1990

Music of the 1980s in England

Students need to gain a broad overview of the different music genres popular in England during the 1980s. Students will learn about the punk, mod, new wave, indie, electronic, new romantic and post punk movements in music.

Research each of the music genres (punk, mod, new wave, indie, electronic, new romantic, post punk) and explore the leading musicians, political/cultural beliefs, fashion and sub-culture connected to the music genre.

1.

https://www.npr.org/2013/04/12/176952013/the-thatcher-eras-effect-on-british-music

The Thatcher eras effect on British music.

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDogh7J1-5s

Mods, Punks and New Romantics in the 1980s

3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgkjAJFAvA8

What is youth Culture?

Spend 20 minutes to 30 minutes researching and reading about The Smiths. Who are the band members? Where are they from? When did they start? End? What are their songs about? etc.

1. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/oct/02/smiths-morrissey-fans-changed-lives

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjLH3hipVsc

The Story of The Smiths

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG0Gi5KeWLI

The Smiths: These Things take Time

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSEoPvVJeVA

The Rise and Fall of The Smiths

** Really good!!

The Smiths' songs that we will study:

      1. The Headmaster's Ritual - Topics of the corruption of the education system, abuse of power

2. There is a Light that will Never go Out - Topics of alienation, loneliness, mental health, sexuality 

3. What Difference Does it Make? - Topics of alienation, loneliness, mental health, sexuality

4. Stretch out and Wait - Topics of poverty, government abuse and corruption

5. How Soon is Now? - Topics of alienation, loneliness, mental health, sexuality

6. The Queen is Dead - Topics of abuse of power, corruption of power

7. Meat is Murder - Topics of societies' ignorance, abuse of power, lack of education

8. This Charming Man - Topics of discrimination based on sexuality

9. That Joke isn't Funny Anymore - Topics of alienation, loneliness, mental health, sexuality

10. You own choice of one of the many evocative songs by The Smiths