We don't need no education. We don’t need no thought control. No dark sarcasm in the classroom. Teachers leave them kids alone

School Songs

“Good Morning School Girl” by Sonny Boy Williamson (1937)

“I Don’t Like Mondays” by The Boomtown Rats (1979)

“Another Brick in the Wall” Pink Floyd (1979)

School has such a huge impact on our lives that it is no wonder there are many, many songs about school and teachers. The songs vary, from hatred of school to love of school. It is a very formative emotional time so again, no surprise on the spectrum of emotions expressed over the years.

We seem to think that school should be a certain way – proper, orderly, rule-based. When it isn’t we seem to think that is bad or somehow a breaking of a taboo. Are we corrupted by that? Are they brain-washing us to think a certain way to fit into society? Does it really work? Do we have minds of our own?

Well some things you can explain away but my heartache's in me till this day

70’s Pick of the Week

“Train in Vain” by the Clash (1979)

He is not likely going to be posthumously knighted ‘Sir Joe Strummer’. One of the central figures in punk rock, Strummer was viewed as an extremist and mocked the government. You don’t get knighted for that. The Clash would sit around another round table though – that of Punk Rock.

From the womb of a nation wracked with economic turmoil and political and social unrest came writhing, spitting, sneering and swearing, a youth with only anger, fear and contempt for anything that smelled like authority - that was the essence of punk rock. 

You don't want to hurt me, but see how deep the bullet lies. Unaware, I'm tearing you asunder. Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.

Quick Hit

“Running Up That Hill”, Kate Bush (1985)

Very much an original, you tend to either love or hate Kate Bush. Theatrical and bold, she has always gone her own way.  From her excellent ‘Hounds of Love’ LP this song peaked at number 3 in the U.K. and was her first to chart in the U.S. since 1978.

Originally Kate a piano player by training titled this song “A Deal With God”, but EMI thought it would not get radio play in ‘religious’ countries so it was changed. According to Kate she said there would be a greater understanding if men and woman could swap places for a while to really understand the others point of view. Her first thought was the devil, but then she thought, why not God because then it would be much more powerful.