Thirty years ago, what albums were you listening to? I was listening to The Pogues third and finest album, "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash". It was named after the 19th century belief that the Royal Navy’s finest traditions consisted of “rum, sodomy, and the lash” (a quote often mis-attributed to Winston Churchill).
The album was produced by Elvis Costello, and contained excellent tracks, like "Dirty old Town" and "A Pair of Brown Eyes". The absolute highlight for me though, was "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda", a searing indictment of war. It details the futile loss of life and limb following the attempt to take the Gallipoli peninsula in the First World War. Every time I hear it, it brings tears to my eyes.