Billy Bragg says, in more articulate and artful ways, what I feel in my heart. He makes fun without being bitter or mean. The two times that I had the pleasure to see him live he was amazing; he was equal parts engaging, entertaining and informative. His ease on stage and his topical banter makes it a pleasure to watch him do what he does. Plus, he has written some of our generation's best songs. We NEED more people like him around today.
The mans a musical genius. Its stripped down and basic but his magical musical ability shines through. One of the few poets that british pop music has produced in my lifetime (im 40). Great leap is one of his best songs. Thanks for posting.
I too, was fortunate enough to witness such brilliance in 1984. What a moving and expressive gig it was. Even was able to speak with Billy after the gig. What an inspiration.
I agree, Billy is a true gentleman. We are lucky enough to be seeing him tonight (he makes it out here almost every October) and I will be getting my annual picture taken, he's patient and sincerely flattered. Gotta love him!
That's what I like to see, a man who can bring his lyrics up to date. Saw him many times, one memorable gig with the Blokes doing a lot of Mermaid Ave stuff as well as loads of other tunes, must've been on stage nearly 2 hours, and I love the way he angages with an audience
Could whoever has Billy Bragg on Letterman performing 'waiting for the reat leap forward' and 'help save the youth of america' PLEASE please put it back up? It's so good and I can't find it anywhere else.
I remember initially being so sad that Cara wasn't touring with him anymore - until Bill announced that Mac was replacing her! As a life-long Small Faces fan, this was a dream. So happy to get to see them play together live many times. RIPower, Mac!
wow! you met him? fantastic, i am begging him to tour the uk so i can go see him, i'm 16 and have only just discovered his genius, class lyrical updates aswell
How come I never listened to this before recently? I will have to blame that on the fact that I'm from Texas. A shame I'm just now getting in to Bragg.
Fell in love with Billy when I saw him open for Echo and the Bunnymen and the Simple Minds back in 1983/84. One the best socio-politcal and love song wrtiers ever. I like the original better too, but hey- he's an activist. At least he is not sleeping with the sleepers or the media.
"Brewing up with Billy Bragg" and "Talking with the taxman about poetry" are qunitessential Billy Bragg, and "Workers Playtime" is the same sort of stuff but with a band - musically it's much more interesting and melodic.
you know craig is a huge bragg fan, just like when he was on conan, not that many people dont get that treatment other than say tom waits. billys book kicks ass by the way
the right is scared to say wrong is wrong. when you speak with your heart thats when it matters. thank you billy for speaking up about the naked powerful. im kinda waiting for the impeachment collection. maybe do a cd of various artists centered on our (u.s.) current leaders. just a thought.
@FungusMossGnosis The Space Race ended with the Cold War, so Billy had to find some new material. Your right, he is no Woody Guthrie, but it must have been an honour for Billy to be asked to record some of his music. Beam me up Scotty!
The lyrics are a lot clunkier than the original, but that new last line "the revolution's just an ethical haircut away" is so great that it just about makes up for it.
(Seems like no one has them. But I echo the plea; maybe there is someone in possession of a still private treasure: "Does anyone has the lyrics for this version??")
guys guys, 'new england' is a sing along, this song shouldnt be! The fact is that he basically just says how he feels about the current world order with some nice background music. IMHO i think this is the sort of song that people who may not have heard of uncle Bill before will listen to, be semi-shocked by the relevant lyrics, and hopefully do some research and listen to the older tunes. Anyway, classic as always, not sure its my 100% favourite BB tune, but its still pretty fking awesome!
As someone whose been both one of "u students" and been in full time work, I'd say that Bragg has some valid points to make. People might criticise the left, but ultimately it's main aim is equal rights, freedoms and wealth for everybody. Is that not a good thing?
"The working class and the employing class have nothing in common. Between these two classes a struggle must go on until the workers of the world organize as a class, take possession of the earth and the machinery of production, and abolish the wage system." - Wobblie doctrine
I don't understand how him living in a predominantely white area, makes him against multiculturalism. The world needs more people like this, willing to shout out about all the fucked up shit going on in the world tbh...
i wouldnt really say billy's a national treasure, in certain circles yes, but not on the level that most people who get called that. oh and i really wouldnt be surprised if americans dont really get it, but good on them if they do
@karlgookey Keep working on your musical education. Many forms of music have long histories of artists changing lyrics over time..even in short times. Study up on folk and blues traditions. You will see it in many contemporary artists as well. Eddie Vedder follows that tradition at times to a lesser degree. Kudos to you for listening to Billy Bragg though!
@eerawb There's a kind of received understanding that anything written as comments here are nothing more than personal opinion. As is the original comment [to which I was replying] saying it was "one of the greatest songs of all time" ..... It isn't......personal opinion or not!
Billy Bragg says, in more articulate and artful ways, what I feel in my heart. He makes fun without being bitter or mean. The two times that I had the pleasure to see him live he was amazing; he was equal parts engaging, entertaining and informative. His ease on stage and his topical banter makes it a pleasure to watch him do what he does. Plus, he has written some of our generation's best songs. We NEED more people like him around today.
The mans a musical genius. Its stripped down and basic but his magical musical ability shines through. One of the few poets that british pop music has produced in my lifetime (im 40). Great leap is one of his best songs. Thanks for posting.
I too, was fortunate enough to witness such brilliance in 1984. What a moving and expressive gig it was. Even was able to speak with Billy after the gig. What an inspiration.
Billy - the best songwriter of his generation. Legend.
I agree, Billy is a true gentleman. We are lucky enough to be seeing him tonight (he makes it out here almost every October) and I will be getting my annual picture taken, he's patient and sincerely flattered. Gotta love him!
'take the money from our missiles and spend it on our hospitals instead' Fucking amazing. Brilliant.
What a genius! A fantastic, classic song updated smartly!
Great update of a classic song. Nice wit he's got, and he sings from the heart.
Billy is a treasure not just to England; he's a gift to the world. Gods Bless him and his work.
How about Mac on those keys? My GOD pal, you're tearing it up!
Billy's never at a loss for words.
I saw Billy in 91 and to this day it is in my top two or three of my best concerts.
Billy and the great Mac rip ..........sublime
We need Billy now more than ever!
he always changes the lyrics live and its always great
That's what I like to see, a man who can bring his lyrics up to date. Saw him many times, one memorable gig with the Blokes doing a lot of Mermaid Ave stuff as well as loads of other tunes, must've been on stage nearly 2 hours, and I love the way he angages with an audience
Thanks for the help. I love the original but these lyrics take it to whole new level.
Simplistic brilliance.
one of my favorite songs ever. thanks for posting this.
Could whoever has Billy Bragg on Letterman performing 'waiting for the reat leap forward' and 'help save the youth of america' PLEASE please put it back up? It's so good and I can't find it anywhere else.
I remember initially being so sad that Cara wasn't touring with him anymore - until Bill announced that Mac was replacing her! As a life-long Small Faces fan, this was a dream. So happy to get to see them play together live many times. RIPower, Mac!
A truly great man. how much less trouble the world would be in if more were like him. Can i buy this version?
OMG, such a fantastic performance.
Glad to see Mac helping out on this one!
Good song.
Excellent, as usual, Ian Mac McLagan on ivories and backing vox.
Thanks for posting this. He's always a joy to watch and and listen to.
Just got to love this one, just as his song "new england" He is a real poet and says some things that makes you listen....
wow! you met him? fantastic, i am begging him to tour the uk so i can go see him, i'm 16 and have only just discovered his genius, class lyrical updates aswell
Anyone who ever has a chance to see BB live, jump at it... great, great live performer.
What a voice and what a prophecy
Not sure what I like more, the updated lyrics or seeing him paired with Mac. Great either way.
Say what you like, this is a man of principle and no mean musician. Rock on Billy!
@WAAAAAAAAAAAY I saw him in the USA in 1991 and he was great live.
Billy ftw!
Fecking brilliant
Genius!!! Perfect.
How come I never listened to this before recently? I will have to blame that on the fact that I'm from Texas. A shame I'm just now getting in to Bragg.
Fell in love with Billy when I saw him open for Echo and the Bunnymen and the Simple Minds back in 1983/84. One the best socio-politcal and love song wrtiers ever. I like the original better too, but hey- he's an activist. At least he is not sleeping with the sleepers or the media.
love the Bragg
Very good! Wisdom!
awesome
theres a fookin good reason i favourite this =->!
No matter what your political views... this is one of the greatest songs of all time and he is still totally relevant...
Never heard this reworking before. 15 years ago?. Another update required please
thanks that helped alot
I totally agree with you...
I like that he changes the lyrics
However I think the original flows the best and thus, is the best
two smart, special men here. great.
"The revolution's just an ethical haircut away"!
Fucking AWESOME rewrite! Great stuff!
Semplicemente meravigliosa!
Indeed!
Totally agree.
HA! He sang: "Will youtube give MTV the sack?" Fantastic!
"Brewing up with Billy Bragg" and "Talking with the taxman about poetry" are qunitessential Billy Bragg, and "Workers Playtime" is the same sort of stuff but with a band - musically it's much more interesting and melodic.
you know craig is a huge bragg fan, just like when he was on conan, not that many people dont get that treatment other than say tom waits. billys book kicks ass by the way
the right is scared to say wrong is wrong. when you speak with your heart
thats when it matters. thank you billy for speaking up about the naked powerful.
im kinda waiting for the impeachment collection. maybe do a cd of various artists
centered on our (u.s.) current leaders. just a thought.
RIP MAC :(
Oh yeah,this is what it's all about.5 stars.Peace
@FungusMossGnosis The Space Race ended with the Cold War, so Billy had to find some new material. Your right, he is no Woody Guthrie, but it must have been an honour for Billy to be asked to record some of his music.
Beam me up Scotty!
UA-cam DID give MTV the sack.
I'm sure they do. Read up on the rage against the machine 'saturday night live incident'
FUCKIN UNBELIEVABLE... "I keep faith in you", Bill. "Smart bombs in the hands of dumb people.... Class."
The lyrics are a lot clunkier than the original, but that new last line "the revolution's just an ethical haircut away" is so great that it just about makes up for it.
anyone know how to play this on guitar cause i would like to know
absolute legend. a lyrical genious
is that ian mclagan from the small faces?
If we all liked the same thing it'd be a dull planet
I'd like to know how Americans take to Billy Bragg. It might be interesting to see him live over there....
(Seems like no one has them. But I echo the plea; maybe there is someone in possession of a still private treasure: "Does anyone has the lyrics for this version??")
Craig- how?
I cannot stay sober and you're SCOTTISH!!!
Is that Ian Mc laglan of the small faces on piano..????
Please people start listening to the insights of Mr Bragg
Best line in the song... "you cant defeat no axis of evil by putting smart bombs in the hands of dumb people" genius...
How amazing are those re-worked lyrics? Fuck me sideways, he's good.
guys guys, 'new england' is a sing along, this song shouldnt be! The fact is that he basically just says how he feels about the current world order with some nice background music. IMHO i think this is the sort of song that people who may not have heard of uncle Bill before will listen to, be semi-shocked by the relevant lyrics, and hopefully do some research and listen to the older tunes.
Anyway, classic as always, not sure its my 100% favourite BB tune, but its still pretty fking awesome!
Billy with ex Small Face Ian Mclagan - perfect!
this is British tv
As someone whose been both one of "u students" and been in full time work, I'd say that Bragg has some valid points to make. People might criticise the left, but ultimately it's main aim is equal rights, freedoms and wealth for everybody. Is that not a good thing?
Funny how ferguson dosen´t seem to acknowledge Ian Maclagan, the legend from the Small Faces and Faces.
Lol, did this song go down well in the USA?
'Will U tube give MTV the sack' tell it to em Billy :)
The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe, you must make it fall. - Ernesto Guevara De La Serna
I hope you know you just quoted a Woody Guthrie lyrics, not a Billy Bragg one.
Hey, I've that haircut!
"The working class and the employing class have nothing in common. Between these two classes a struggle must go on until the workers of the world organize as a class, take possession of the earth and the machinery of production, and abolish the wage system." - Wobblie doctrine
Cool Babe !
I don't understand how him living in a predominantely white area, makes him against multiculturalism. The world needs more people like this, willing to shout out about all the fucked up shit going on in the world tbh...
i wouldnt really say billy's a national treasure, in certain circles yes, but not on the level that most people who get called that. oh and i really wouldnt be surprised if americans dont really get it, but good on them if they do
What do you believe in Harold and what have you done to stand up for it?
who is erin honecker?
fantastic. another one with all the questions and none of the answers.
Craig Ferguson says nothing about the legend on the keyboards - Ian McLagan
@ZDiddy7 And what about all those who don't have work, good ideas or luck? There are many more of them than there are the superstars.
@karlgookey Keep working on your musical education. Many forms of music have long histories of artists changing lyrics over time..even in short times. Study up on folk and blues traditions. You will see it in many contemporary artists as well. Eddie Vedder follows that tradition at times to a lesser degree. Kudos to you for listening to Billy Bragg though!
The arguments about things other then this video end now.
* cough. Thats the whole point - it's a protest song, he adapts it to fit the times.
@eerawb
There's a kind of received understanding that anything written as comments here are nothing more than personal opinion. As is the original comment [to which I was replying] saying it was "one of the greatest songs of all time" .....
It isn't......personal opinion or not!
Have you?
Cockney rebel from Barking?