Low Life In High Places

Album: Laughing on Judgement Day (1991)
Charted: 22
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Songfacts®:

  • In August 1992, Thunder appeared at the 13th annual Monsters of Rock at Castle Donnington. On the eve of the Festival they were interviewed by DJ Tommy Vance for The Friday Rock Show on BBC Radio One, where they played a short acoustic set live. Asked about the inspiration for the song, writer Luke Morley said it was based on personal experience; in particular a visit to New York where he had seen people living rough on the streets, sights you didn't see in Catford (South London) adding "unfortunately now you do." As they began playing, he, or one of the band, said "hope you're listening John Major;" this was a dig at the then Prime Minister. John Major replaced Margaret Thatcher in November 1990, after she was forced to resign by a Cabinet rebellion.
  • Although widely regarded as a champion of the free market, Thatcher's financial reforms had caused great hardship to the people at the bottom of the social ladder, especially the young; Major inherited this economic turmoil. As the 1990s approached, people all over Britain and especially the capital began to witness sights that hadn't been seen here since the turn of the Century, large numbers of vulnerable young people begging and even sleeping on the streets.
    Luke Morley was born in Camberwell, a short bus ride from Catford, in the deprived London Borough of Lewisham, and was obviously speaking from the heart.
  • "Low Life In High Places" was the band's 7th single, and the first from the album. It was released in various formats including a 4 track CD single - with "Back Street Symphony," "She's So Fine" and "Love Walked In" - and as both a 7 inch and 12 inch single. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for all above

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