Troubles: Songs About Northern Ireland

ByMargot
Stiff Little Fingers, from Belfast, formed in 1977, during the height of the Troubles. Image courtesy: the artist

For decades, Northern Ireland was beset by sectarian violence,  known as “the Troubles”. The violence and rifts caused by the Troubles made their way into music as commentary and as frustration. This edition of Music 101 explores the songs of the time about the Troubles.

All the songs from “The Troubles”:

Van Morrison “Saint Dominic’s Preview”
Sex Pistols “Anarchy In The UK”
Stiff Little Fingers “Suspect Device”
The Undertones “Teenage Kicks”
The Undertones “It’s Going To Happen”
Elvis Costello “Oliver’s Army”
Bananarama “Rough Justice”
U2 “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
Music out: Bap Kennedy “The Ghosts Of Belfast”

Further resources:

The Undertones at The BBC, as part of their 40h birthday

Shellschock Rock: 1970s Northern Irish Punk Scene