You can keep the 70s and 80s, the swaggering 90s were the best
There has been talk that we are in danger of heading back to the 1970s following train strikes, the threat of further widespread industrial action, not to mention generationally high rates of inflation.
The mere mention of the 1970s sends shivers down the spines of those with long enough memories, and with some good reason too because that was the decade of the three-day week, blackouts, rampant racism, discrimination, droopy moustaches and avocado bathroom suites.
The BBC’s classic Life on Mars series saw its principal character sent back to the ’70s, which introduced younger generations to the darkest aspects of an era many wish to forget. Lest we forget that this was a time that introduced us to Star Wars, David Bowie, ABBA and children’s TV classics such as the Magic Roundabout.
We all have our favourite decade, don’t we? It was over a dopiaza and a few beers the other night that I entered a debate about the ‘best’ decade and I repeated my firmly held belief that the 1990s and all their baggy swagger easily outdo Thatcher’s cruelly brash ’80s. ‘You would say that, wouldn’t you?’ came the totally reasonable reply because, as this curry house sage pointed out, that was when I entered my teens, explored the world and discovered music that has shaped my life. It was also at that time I met Mrs Tapp, who surely must be in the line for some sort of long-service medal.
My argument for it being the best decade is that it heralded real change – communism, pretty much, completely fell away, Nelson Mandela brought hope to Africa and the rest of the world and the internet rocked up and turned everything on its head.
The great thing about nostalgia is that while millions can relate to particular references, they mean something slightly different to each of us. Ask any journalist or SEO whizzkid and they will tell you that nostalgia is one of the few subjects almost guaranteed to pique broad interest. Bright folk with letters after their name and their own YouTube channel will tell you that looking to the future is where your focus should be and that looking backwards is unproductive, but we know the value of reflecting on the past and learning.
Yes, things are a bit rubbish now, and we’ve no idea whether scribes of the future will describe this period as the Terrible Twenties, but rather like the ’70s there will be happy memories to cherish and tales to bore future generations with.