The Satirical Vision of Canadian/Scottish Songwriter, Poet, and Novelist Graeme Williamson

Year 2022, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 45 - 59, 27.04.2022

Victor Kennedy

Abstract

Graeme Williamson, best known as the lead singer/songwriter of the 1980s Toronto New Wave band Pukka Orchestra, was also a poet, short story writer, and novelist. Born and raised in Canada, he moved to Scotland after a serious illness, and his works reflect his personal experience in developing themes of travel, alienation, loss, and awareness of mortality, using biting satire, caustic wit, and a clear insight into the darker reaches of the human psyche. This paper will analyse several of Williamson’s song lyrics, poems, short stories, and his novel, Strange Faith, to show how his writing presents a critical view of modern society.

Keywords

Graeme Williamson, Scottish literature, Canadian culture, Song lyrics, Pukka Orchestra, Toronto, Strange Faith

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