Stuart Maconie on the history of modern Britain in 50 records, including how the aspirational culture of Thatcherism became reflected in the UK's charts.

When Margaret Thatcher came to power in May 1979, she declared she was determined to drag Britain out of the strike-bound '70s; as the memorable campaign poster had it: Labour isn't working. Thatcher was determined to reverse the nation's economic decline, and what she saw as the Union's all-too-powerful grip on much of the working class. The nation's first female Prime Minister heralded serious and sweeping change.

But with someone as divisive as Thatcher, there were plenty of acts that were willing to take a stand against her and what she stood for.