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Piccadilly Pulse: Following Margaret Thatcher’s death should ‘Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead’ be played on air?

By Matt Scrafton

Wizard of Oz song ‘Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead’ is heading into the UK singles chart in the wake of the death of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

The song is currently top of the iTunes download chart, and could be heading into BBC Radio 1’s official top 40 update this Sunday.

The radio station have said they are yet to decide whether or not to play the track and will make a decision once the chart positions are clear.

MM took to the streets of Manchester to ask if the song should be played, asking:

Is it right ‘Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead’ is in the charts and likely to be played on the radio in the wake of Margaret Thatcher’s death?

Options

Results

Yes

36.3%
No  63.6%


John Discombe, 69, retired, Oldham

“It should be played over and over again. The damage she did to this country, especially to the north, she treated the disabled like dirt. I’ve got no time for her”

Malcolm Jones, 54, unemployed, Chorlton

“She was no good for this country, they should get it to number one if possible, and Arthur Scargill at number two.”

Sam Hughes, 17, student, Manchester

“Loads of people hated her, it was only the rich that liked her. I’m not surprised the song is doing so well.”

Mark Kutzner, 16, student, Bury

“It’s just childish, there’s no need for it.”

Jennie Clarke, 27, lawyer, Deansgate

“She did some pretty bad things back in the 80s so I can see why people are angry, this is just their way of showing it. She was quite a tyrant.”

Jack Hone, 21, student, Didsbury

“I don’t think it should be played, she saved the country and she deserves a bit more respect.”

Jamie McGill, 25, unemployed, Ancoats

“It’s not likely to be played, is it? But if they did, I wouldn’t have any problem with it. I’m glad she’s dead.”

Sally Dolan, 44, care worker, Middleton

“Talking about a dead woman in this way is just horrible. Maybe we should wait until Bush dies, then we can talk about him!”

Christine Bailey, 63, receptionist, Blackley

“No I don’t really like it to be honest, it’s a bit disrespectful. I didn’t agree with much of what she did but someone’s lost a mother for God’s sake.”

Julie Reynolds, 36, shop assistant, Manchester

“There’s nothing you can do to stop people from buying it, but if the radio plays it then that’s probably too far.”

Image courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer via YouTube, with thanks

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