Thatcher’s demise spur chart buster for song on death of a witch

In life and death, former British Prime Minister, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher continues to stair the hornet’s nest.  Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead, a 74 years soundtrack to The Wizard of Oz, has made the top 10 hit of the British midweek charts on account of her death, according to The Guardian of London.

The British midweek chart is published on Wednesdays, and the paper said the spur for this chart ascent was propelled by a campaign on Facebook.

There has also been a surge in downloads of the song, which has been appropriated by the former prime minister’s critics since her death said the paper, which also predicts that the song “is on course to be one of the top three sellers by the end of the week.”

For the lady that was famously called “the Iron Lady” and “a witch” by her opponents, a cocktail of tributes and criticism, have poured in from around the world since Monday when she died at 87 after suffering a stroke.

President Barrack Obama of the United States, citing her humble beginnings as a grocer’s daughter, described her as a great champion of “freedom and liberty’’ and an example to women around the world.

“Here in America, many of us will never forget her standing shoulder to shoulder with President Reagan, reminding the world that we are not simply carried along by the currents of history, we can shape them with moral conviction, unyielding courage and iron will,’’ Mr. Obama said.

From the left of the political spectrum however, it has been harsh words. Former London mayor, Ken Livingstone, said she was responsible for “every real problem’’ in Britain today, because “she was fundamentally wrong.’’

David Hopper, general secretary of the Durham Miners’ Association, who turned 70 on Monday, said “this could not come soon enough and I’m pleased that I have outlived her” adding that “It looks like one of the best birthdays I have ever had.’’

The Official Charts Company, according to The Guardian, said the song, credited to Judy Garland, had been bought more than 10,600 times by midnight on Tuesday. The company also said the Garland version of the song was around 5,000 sales away from a place in the top three selling singles of the week.

There was also a small increase in sales for a 1961 cover version of the song, sung by Ella Fitzgerald, which just nudged into the top 150, the paper said.