![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/640x360/p044h168.jpg)
The Sound of the Crowd
Dominic Sandbrook takes a look at a dynamic decade. This episode looks at how the early 80s saw new forces of choice and consumerism reshape British life.
Sandbrook takes a fresh look at a dynamic decade. 1980s Britain changed in everything from politics and sport to fashion and popular culture.
In the opening years of the 1980s, the powerful new forces of choice and consumerism were radically reshaping British life. The first episode looks at how the early 80s saw the powerful new forces of choice and consumerism radically reshape British life, tearing down existing ways of doing things and ripping up the rule book of British politics. This new culture of consumer-driven populism propelled Margaret Thatcher to victory. For the first time, 'who we were' became a question less about the fixed identities of region and class, and much more about the choices we made, from where we shopped to how we cooked, to what we wore. Thatcher may have embodied this change - but she didn't drive it.
This episode takes in everything from the popularity of Delia Smith to affordable fashions on the high street, from the subcultures of Britain's youth to the crisis of identity that rocked and splintered the political left. But it also shows how the mood of aspiration that swept the nation left certain sections of society adrift and alienated, from the hollowed out industrial heartlands of the Midlands to the inner city communities of south London and Liverpool.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Next
After tackling the 60s & 70s, author Dominic Sandbrook looks to Britain in the 1980s.
Clips
-
How Snooker became a national obsession
Duration: 01:22
-
The Face
Duration: 01:26
-
The launch of NEXT
Duration: 01:16
-
Webexclusive: The rise of Wine Bars
Duration: 02:17
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
-
00:01
Gary Numan
Are Friends Electric?
Performer: Tubeway Army. -
00:03
Prince
Dirty Mind
-
00:04
Dana
Something's Cookin' In The Kitchen
-
00:06
Kraftwerk
Computer World
-
00:06
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Electricity
-
00:11
Yello
Oh Yeah
-
00:12
XTC
Making Plans for Nigel
-
00:16
808 State, Ub40
One In Ten (808 Original Mix)
-
00:17
Hazel O’Connor
Writing On The Wall
-
00:19
Visage
Fade To Grey
-
00:23
Duran Duran
Rio
-
00:26
The Douglas Wood Group
Snooker
-
00:27
Pat Benatar
Hit Me With Your Best Shot (2006 Digital Remaster)
-
00:34
Bucks Fizz
Making Your Mind Up
-
00:46
Madonna
Everybody
-
00:52
Yazoo
Only You
-
00:36
Ian Dury & the Blockheads
Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part Three)
-
00:42
Depeche Mode
New Life
-
00:58
Elton John
I'm Still Standing
-
00:59
Talking Heads
Burning Down The House
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Dominic Sandbrook |
Writer | Dominic Sandbrook |
Executive Producer | Chris Granlund |
Director | Alexander Leith |
Series Producer | Alexander Leith |
Broadcasts
- Thu 4 Aug 2016 21:00
- Wed 5 Oct 2016 01:05
- Thu 28 Sep 2017 21:00
- Thu 28 Jun 2018 00:25
- Mon 3 Feb 2020 21:00
- Tue 24 Nov 2020 20:00
- Fri 27 Nov 2020 02:15
- Sat 13 Mar 2021 19:00±«Óãtv Two except Scotland
Featured in...
Margaret Thatcher's Britain
A collection of programmes exploring the life and times of the UK's first female PM.
History on ±«Óãtv Four
The most compelling stories from world history on ±«Óãtv Four.
Remembering the 80s - get the playlist
Selected tracks from all the episodes
Try our 80s Quiz
Test your knowledge in our new Quiz
War, wealth and Walkmans - how the 1980s gave birth to modern Britain
Discover how the 1980s changed us.
Why did Snooker get its Big Break in the 80s?
Find out about the big stars from the world of snooker.
Margaret Thatcher timeline
A timeline of Britain's first female prime minister