Parliamentary playlist: a strange few days for British politics

Last week’s news of a hung parliament was distressing to some and joyous to others.

There aren’t many precedents in recent history and the emergent coalition taking shape between the Conservatives and Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party has been understandably grabbing the headlines. Here’s a collection of songs to sum up a strange few days in UK politics…

Stuck in the middle with you - Stealers Wheel

Theresa May’s soundtrack to the political partnership no one forecast… ‘Stuck In the Middle With (D) You (P)’.

Cunts are still running the world - Jarvis Cocker

If you count as one of the ambitious Labour supporters who thought JC was about to get his shot at Number 10, and now you’re feeling a little down about the whole thing as a result, fellow 'JC' Jarvis Cocker, getting all angry and political (for a change), may well have catered to your mood with this abrasive number.

Cocaine socialism - Pulp

Elsewhere the plans for his 10 Downing Street house warming party are put on ice...

Little Lies - Fleetwood Mac

Theresa May is promising 'certainty' as she scrabbles to secure a slender working majority... but at least she's stopped saying 'strong and stable' though, right? From 1987's Tango in the Night this is one of Fleetwood Mac's most memorable tracks, and perhaps a cheap shot to slide it into the attempted political satire article. Sorry.

The Salmon Dance - The Chemical Brothers

Dramatic voting swings in Scotland left the SNP with a bloody nose and saw the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party make key gains. There will be no Salmon(d) dance as the former First Minister lost his seat. From the 2007 album We Are the Night, 'The Salmon Dance' is a musical oddity which offers plenty of opportunity for fish-based trivia.

R. Kelly - Ignition (Remix)

“It’s the remix to ignition, hot and fresh out the kitchen, mama rolling that body, praying there’s no DUP coalition.”

It looks like there is going to be one though, and it's causing quite a stir. Corbyn having been hammered as a "terrorist sympathiser" for his dialogues with Irish republicans, it seems hypocritical to many that the Conservatives are now joined at the hip with a party so closely linked (historically at least) to the Ulster Defence Force.

Don't sit down 'cos I moved your chair - The Arctic Monkeys

UKIP didn’t claim a single seat…

This track is one of the Arctic Monkeys' most characteristically dark tracks, in atmosphere at least. Lyrically amusing and atmospherically dark. But maybe not as dark as UKIP's future?

The Kids Don't Stand a Chance - Vampire Weekend

An amazing youth turnout that voted overwhelmingly for Labour has still been left with a Conservative-DUP coalition. Will it leave young voters with a bad taste in their mouths given that they also by-and-large voted remain? Do young voters feel heard, or overpowered?

From their eponymous 2008 album Vampire Weekend, this track is a great example of the quirky stylings that got Vampire Weekend noticed. The album is well worth a listen in its entirety.

Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall

Nick Clegg lost his seat. “But why would people not have voted for Nick Clegg?” I hear you cry. Well, contrary to Pink Floyd’s argument, we do need some education and it’s a lot more expensive than it used to be… isn’t it Nick?

Orange Juice- Rip it Up

With no seats and no leader, it’s time for UKIP to “rip it up and start again”…

The main legacy of Glaswegian group Orange Juice (other than... yes that is Edwyn Collins!) is 1983's Rip it Up (and start again). Might this ring true with UKIP's plans?

Parliamentary playlist: a strange few days for British politics

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