Thatcher-off: Number five

Into the top half of the chart battle between music as Thatcher found it, and as she left it, and our international panel of experts suggest that it was a little bit better in 1979. But what of number five?

Number 5, April 1979: The Village People - In The Navy



They. Want. You. Oh my goodness. They. Want. You. What am i going to do in a submarine? Gay, splashy, men-in-uniforms. Did we mention gay? Oh, yes, it's cheesy, but something of a tribute to the state of British society that something so clearly camp could win the heart of the nation. Politicalfact: Under Thatcher's Clause 28, teachers caught humming Village People songs were sacked on the spot, with no right of appeal or pensions.

Number 5, November 1990: Paul Gascoigne & Lindisfine - The Fog On The Tyne



There are nowhere near enough conceits that allow you weigh the relative merits of a gay pop act against a footballer-turned-lets-be-kind-and-say-singer. Still, the success of Gazza at least proves that Thatcher didn't quite get round to killing everyone who lived in the North of England, which is something to consider if you're thinking of writing a book which re-evaluates her impact on British society. Although this was enough to make most of North-East England die of shame. Politicalfact: After this record was released, Newcastle council voted in favour of filling in the Tyne out of shame; the plan was only abandoned when people from Gateshead got excited about being able to stroll across the river.

1979 wins by a wide mile.

Pre-Thatcher, 4; Post-Thatcher, 2.