'when they stitched her back together... they left her heart in pieces on the floor'.... if you consider how old bragg was when he wrote this, and the wonderfully insightful and (female) empathy of the lyrics, i can't understand why he is not more broadly recognised for the utter genius that he clearly is. billy has enriched my life in many ways. god bless him.
As a working class guy in his sixties with little education,, this song, more than anything, enabled me to see the the world through a women's eyes, At its very best this is what what music can do for us. Peace to all my sisters and brothers. Billy x
@@douglasparkinson4123 Or maybe just angry men in their 60s with little education.😂Most of the teens I meet are far from angry, and are depressingly compliant with little interest in politics. I fear that ‘angry young men’ are a thing of the past.
@@billt1954 i think you'll find we arent. i may have the name of an angry 60 year old man, and sometimes i feel i may have the spine pains of one, but i most certainly am not. the angry young men are still here, its just a healthy ammount of us are now angry young non binary people. the fight remains fought old man.
First saw this on a Calgary cable station on a show called FM moving pictures when i was 13. I'm 51 now...it still is the greatest song I've ever heard on my life.
I 've been just reading the comments and it's incredible how many lives have been touched by this song. This man has surely made many lives a little bit better, more joyful but also gave us things to think about. Don't you ever underestimate the power of music.
33 years on and it still sounds so fresh yet so melancholy. I wonder how many of today's 'artists' would release their first take of a song? And 33 years later, he still hasn't sold out....
The writing, the playing, the atmosphere, the camera work, the message, the sincerity and that haunting ending with the trumpet. Thank goodness someone saved this for posterity. An artistic masterpiece.
Heard this on the radio on way home from work today and had to youtube it. Can't believe it's been 28 years since I first heard this song and still love it. I also love how he can make a single guitar sound like there's multiple guitars playing when it's just him. It confounds me how he does it. Billy Bragg is phenomenal.
The video for Greetings to the New Brunette was on MTV when this album came out. I was just a teenager and really just bought the album on a lark, based on that one song. Being American and only 16, I wasn't at all familiar with Mr. Bragg or his politics. This ended up being my most favorite song, even though I didn't know the musical references until years later. Even as a wee young thing, I was a sucker for good writing and melancholy, and this song has both in spades. The spare, simple music allows the lyrics to shine - and what a skillful storyteller Mr. Bragg is! This still sounds as fresh, and sharp, and poignant as it did over three decades ago. Just brilliant.
The song that never ages, it still sounds as good today as it did when recorded. I drop in every once in a while to see the fresh faced Billy do his thing..."They stitched her back together, but left her heart in pieces on the floor"...classic songwriting!
''the kind bloke who only laughs at his own jokes''.a line i have used to explain so many men over the years.you still continue to inspire.keep up the good work and thanks for the great music.
Back I the '80s I had a boyfriend who had an album of Billy Bragg. This was one of the last songs. I LOVED the sound, and the lyrics of this in particular. I loved other songs, but over the years this one got lost, apart from the trombone? French horn? Sound, and the first line of lyrics, in my mind. Just recently , the ending, and the beginning of this song have started a bit of a rumble in my head. So, Googled Billy Bragg...and found lots of cool songs, new songs that I like and, then, delving deeper I found THE SONG that I love as much as the one about.."I saw two shooting stars last night" which had stayed in my head for, obviously decades... This is My song, not because of anything in the song, just a forgotten song that has been the music in the background sound of my life...the end note that I cannot remember where it came from. Sssooooooooo happy to find this.
Been listening since talking with the taxman about poetry was brought to my attention by the most brilliant group I have ever known at the University of Rochester in the 80's... The more I listen the more I understand I have so much more to learn... fuck my top 10 Ph.D. Billy you are the true master and I bow down to you.
It's been 20 years since I went through my idealistic "Billy Bragg" stage. And I saw him in concert in NYC too. But his songs still ring true not as ideals, but as emotions. There is love, anger, happiness and frustration in many of his songs that still resonates with today's youth, even if Bill's politics don't.
In the 80's Billy Bragg really touched me with his lyrics. I never had a chance to see him in concert but now he is coming to Toronto so I plan on seeing him. looking forward to it !
Billy Bragg is a national treasure he speaks for us first heard '83/'84 classic lps classic singles first saw him Connolly hall Cork Ireland 1986 seen him many times since LEGEND "Levi Stubbs tears" 👍✌️😎 .......
Surely one of the saddest, most hauntingly beautiful songs ever written. You can say what you want about his politics. You can say what you like about his voice. That is poetry
His politics is spot on. When 4 individuals in America have more combined wealth than the poorest 50%, what's there to argue against? And, 100% - a stunning song, a masterpiece.
I Had the privilege of seeing Billy play this song live twice. Both times at outdoor concerts. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up then. It still does now.
I can remember the words but not room, where in the dark I would live all these favourite tunes. Billy Bragg taught me Cockney, heartache and love, his words of my soul, tasting of blood. A gent and a scholar, I spit on your dollar, a knightmare for Thatcher, a barbwire dream catcher. With Levi Stubbs tears my heart broke again. A place in my life Billy Bragg will remain. Nice one fella.
This guy is a hero of mine who carries on the fine tradition of one soul and a guitar with radical politics and protest songs. thanks for uploading the sound of my youth.
I've been playing this video for possibly over ten years now and I want to say thank you. Thank you so much for uploading it, it's influenced my taste in music and I've even made an art work inspired by this song. Billy is a legend and this is amazing. Thank you
Great stuff! I agree with Jim Beam's comments when he says how Billy gets up there with just his guitar and amp and bunch of his own songs and performed his heart out touching many people including myself when I first went to see him in the early 80's He was my inspiration to learn the guitar and the best part of 30 years on I find myself still listening to his music and still playing his songs on my guitar, there are very few artists i can say have held my interest for this long! Go Billy, your a legend and my hero!
Saw him in Japan another life time ago... introduced to his music through a friend. Every Saturday I’d walk to his house and he would play new music to me. Halcyon days. My love of music has never diminished ✌🏻
My sons have finally realised dad’s tunes shit on they’re tunes.... One of my desert island discs for sure..Brilliant Billy,, thanks for many years of listening to this masterpiece..✌️✌️👍👍❤️❤️
Oh! best reason for watching The Tube in days gone by - Billy Bragg is simply brilliant. Thanks for being brave enough to sing about things that matter in a way we can all get. This track - amazing.
Singing into an empty beer bottle pretending I am Billy Bragg. I did that as a spotty 15 year old. Still do that as a 40 year father of 2. Brilliant remains brilliant. Thanks for the joy you have given Billy!
I have been a big fan of Billy Bragg for the past 20 years now!! This tune by BB-Levi Stubbs' Tears was the first Bragg tune I learned to play on my Fender Telecaster!!
Billy Braggs tribute to Motowns late and greats Norman Whitfield Barrett Strong Lamont Dozier and of course the legendary front man of the Four Tops Levi Stubbs all gone but not forgotten may they RIP 👃➕ ........
What a song. The album (talking about the taxman about poetry) is amazing and Billy's guitar playing and lyrics are very understated on it. I urge you to purchase it. He's doing things that I wish I could with my own ongs. Bravo Billy! lets see a proper upload of Greetings To The New Brunette
With the money from her accident she bought herself a mobile home.......absolute poetry. So he can't sing, but boy can he write beautiful lyrics. This song blew me away in the 80s and it still sends tingles down my spine today. Thank you so much.
@accadoza Oh my so epic. I envy you and I am happy to hear your report. I am glad your still here with us newer Bragg fans relating stories. Thanks to you!
I love Billy Bragg. Saw him at Big Day Out last year, he blew everyone away. Brilliant political commentator/comedian/musician/nice bloke. And this song is beautiful.
'when they stitched her back together... they left her heart in pieces on the floor'.... if you consider how old bragg was when he wrote this, and the wonderfully insightful and (female) empathy of the lyrics, i can't understand why he is not more broadly recognised for the utter genius that he clearly is. billy has enriched my life in many ways. god bless him.
Où wrote is right on
Thank you. Everything
I always defer to this when I champion Bragg as our greatest lyricist
It's a cover of an old folk tune
@@chukkp7042 ??? There's one line that feels like a trad song, but it's all Billy.
One of the greatest pieces of song wiriting ever made in the history of music. Beyond belief .
Hear hear...well said Sean!
Well it seemed it at that moment in time.
Agreed!!
Saw him by accident when i was 17 in Atlanta in 1984. Was blown away
Gordon Scarlett must've been an accident waiting to happen.
As a working class guy in his sixties with little education,, this song, more than anything, enabled me to see the the world through a women's eyes,
At its very best this is what what music can do for us.
Peace to all my sisters and brothers. Billy x
Português
lost in space 54 Bless you pet: you’re one of the good ones x
well, there you go. two types of billy bragg fans. 60yo men with little education and angry teens. no imbetween.
@@douglasparkinson4123 Or maybe just angry men in their 60s with little education.😂Most of the teens I meet are far from angry, and are depressingly compliant with little interest in politics. I fear that ‘angry young men’ are a thing of the past.
@@billt1954 i think you'll find we arent. i may have the name of an angry 60 year old man, and sometimes i feel i may have the spine pains of one, but i most certainly am not. the angry young men are still here, its just a healthy ammount of us are now angry young non binary people. the fight remains fought old man.
I'm a total metalhead. But I can't listen to this without being reduced to tears. Best song ever written.
Like my wife.... I was one of those bloke
That horn, msn,..
Makes two of us, Mate, believe me...
Billy Bragg....... an inspiration to a generation. His songs are still relevant now over 30 yrs later. Thanjs for giving us hope back in the day Billy
+DJ Ebony well said DJ, ebony...... class tune, great lyrics , ect, ect........cheers & a happy new year......2016.....peace......
Martin Groves .
First saw this on a Calgary cable station on a show called FM moving pictures when i was 13. I'm 51 now...it still is the greatest song I've ever heard on my life.
Hello fellow Calgarian! I love this performance. It is timeless.
I 've been just reading the comments and it's incredible how many lives have been touched by this song. This man has surely made many lives a little bit better, more joyful but also gave us things to think about. Don't you ever underestimate the power of music.
Aussie guy 50. Always brings a tear to my eye. It conveys emotion beautifully.
A brilliant, heartfelt, moving song. Some kind of genius, this bloke.
one of the 100 greatest songs of all time
Easily one of the best!
33 years on and it still sounds so fresh yet so melancholy.
I wonder how many of today's 'artists' would release their first take of a song?
And 33 years later, he still hasn't sold out....
Incredible....
The Wild Goose hi it's a beautiful song..
This is my favorite song in the whole world and has been for 23 years. The best story telling ever!
This man just doesn’t get enough credit
i found this song by searching my name on spotify...
Wonderful
The writing, the playing, the atmosphere, the camera work, the message, the sincerity and that haunting ending with the trumpet. Thank goodness someone saved this for posterity. An artistic masterpiece.
Heard this on the radio on way home from work today and had to youtube it. Can't believe it's been 28 years since I first heard this song and still love it. I also love how he can make a single guitar sound like there's multiple guitars playing when it's just him. It confounds me how he does it. Billy Bragg is phenomenal.
buzzcity01 how does this sound like multiple guitars? It’s just chords
The video for Greetings to the New Brunette was on MTV when this album came out. I was just a teenager and really just bought the album on a lark, based on that one song. Being American and only 16, I wasn't at all familiar with Mr. Bragg or his politics. This ended up being my most favorite song, even though I didn't know the musical references until years later. Even as a wee young thing, I was a sucker for good writing and melancholy, and this song has both in spades. The spare, simple music allows the lyrics to shine - and what a skillful storyteller Mr. Bragg is! This still sounds as fresh, and sharp, and poignant as it did over three decades ago. Just brilliant.
"When the world falls apart, some things stay in place." I was just thinking how appropriate that is now.
Government is a bunch of wankers
Share my version, i am a capitalist: ua-cam.com/video/YB_Gx04Ke_Q/v-deo.html
@@powerofthetime NAH
@@powerofthetime you multi millionaire like .. ?
@@powerofthetime don't quit your day job
The song that never ages, it still sounds as good today as it did when recorded. I drop in every once in a while to see the fresh faced Billy do his thing..."They stitched her back together, but left her heart in pieces on the floor"...classic songwriting!
''the kind bloke who only laughs at his own jokes''.a line i have used to explain so many men over the years.you still continue to inspire.keep up the good work and thanks for the great music.
Back I the '80s I had a boyfriend who had an album of Billy Bragg. This was one of the last songs. I LOVED the sound, and the lyrics of this in particular.
I loved other songs, but over the years this one got lost, apart from the trombone? French horn? Sound, and the first line of lyrics, in my mind.
Just recently , the ending, and the beginning of this song have started a bit of a rumble in my head. So, Googled Billy Bragg...and found lots of cool songs, new songs that I like and, then, delving deeper I found THE SONG that I love as much as the one about.."I saw two shooting stars last night" which had stayed in my head for, obviously decades...
This is My song, not because of anything in the song, just a forgotten song that has been the music in the background sound of my life...the end note that I cannot remember where it came from.
Sssooooooooo happy to find this.
What a joy to read your recollection. I find myself practicing your experience almost every now with this time machine called youtube.
+MrDLOC11 I know! UA-cam is amazing for finding lost treasures, or undiscovering new ones :)
+MrDLOC11 discovering not undiscovering!!
This song still sends a shiver up my spine 20 years on. Billy Bragg, you are a lyrical genius. End of story.
Been listening since talking with the taxman about poetry was brought to my attention by the most brilliant group I have ever known at the University of Rochester in the 80's... The more I listen the more I understand I have so much more to learn... fuck my top 10 Ph.D. Billy you are the true master and I bow down to you.
I've listened to this song 4 times now in the last hour and it hits harder each time, I need to stop..
It's been 20 years since I went through my idealistic "Billy Bragg" stage. And I saw him in concert in NYC too. But his songs still ring true not as ideals, but as emotions. There is love, anger, happiness and frustration in many of his songs that still resonates with today's youth, even if Bill's politics don't.
His politics do.
As a youth both the emotion of his work and his politics remain well intact
I'm 26 and its only this year that I heard of Billy...Where have I been?!...Mispent young listening to trance/techno.
In the 80's Billy Bragg really touched me with his lyrics. I never had a chance to see him in concert but now he is coming to Toronto so I plan on seeing him. looking forward to it !
Did you go?
I think he's coming again. I missed him last time but my sister got to meet him. She said he was really down-to-earth and friendly. :)
@@Krantzstone I really hope you get the chance to see him. I hope I get the chance to see him again. He puts on a captivating performance.
Not a wasted word in the lyrics. Brilliant!
Billy Bragg is a national treasure he speaks for us first heard '83/'84 classic lps classic singles first saw him Connolly hall Cork Ireland 1986 seen him many times since LEGEND "Levi Stubbs tears" 👍✌️😎 .......
that trumpet at the end is fantastic
Surely one of the saddest, most hauntingly beautiful songs ever written. You can say what you want about his politics. You can say what you like about his voice. That is poetry
His politics are based asf my guy no discussion
His politics is spot on. When 4 individuals in America have more combined wealth than the poorest 50%, what's there to argue against? And, 100% - a stunning song, a masterpiece.
Sublime! One of England's greatest singer songwriters.
I used
to play this song on air 25 years ago and it still holds up. A classic!
One man. One guitar. One take. Unsurpassed as a human with a guitar singing their song. Across the generations, the paragon.
I Had the privilege of seeing Billy play this song live twice. Both times at outdoor concerts. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up then. It still does now.
I can remember the words but not room, where in the dark I would live all these favourite tunes. Billy Bragg taught me Cockney, heartache and love, his words of my soul, tasting of blood. A gent and a scholar, I spit on your dollar, a knightmare for Thatcher, a barbwire dream catcher. With Levi Stubbs tears my heart broke again. A place in my life Billy Bragg will remain. Nice one fella.
This guy is a hero of mine who carries on the fine tradition of one soul and a guitar with radical politics and protest songs. thanks for uploading the sound of my youth.
Very few singers can move me to tears. Billy is one of the few, and this song does it.
A true working-class poet. Love the simplicity of this song--it gets me every time...
incredible guitar work
incredible lyrics
My hat is off
Amazing song - can't believe its been 30 years.
This song just brings about memories of broken hearts and broken/unrealized dreams. Music has to come from these depths of the soul.
uno dei pezzi più belll di Billy e di tutta la musica di quel tempo (e non solo)
the trumpet is what truly makes this song great
nobody plays trumpet in songs anymore...
i never knew how awesome the trumpet was until I heard it on the braggsters songs. Same with the cello on The only one. amazing
Gives the song a haunting, melancholic echo.
Great job by the trumpet player, he hit it out of the park on the biggest stage. Does anyone have a credit?
The sparse and desperate arrangement and, performance is just sublime
I just came by to listen to this, one of my favorite songs, and to pay homage to one of Music's Greats. Levi will be greatly missed.
When the world falls apart, Billy Bragg will still be standing in place. Probably singing the songs we need to hear to put it back together again.
One beat up amp, one old guitar... and one astonishingly talented artist.
One camera, one take, no cuts, no lip-synching ...one amazing video, no doubt.
Don't forget that amazing trumpet solo at the end.
breathtakingly brilliant.
Great song fantastic album to can remember listening to it on my walkman back in the day
I've been playing this video for possibly over ten years now and I want to say thank you. Thank you so much for uploading it, it's influenced my taste in music and I've even made an art work inspired by this song. Billy is a legend and this is amazing. Thank you
Great stuff!
I agree with Jim Beam's comments when he says how Billy gets up there with just his guitar and amp and bunch of his own songs and performed his heart out touching many people including myself when I first went to see him in the early 80's He was my inspiration to learn the guitar and the best part of 30 years on I find myself still listening to his music and still playing his songs on my guitar, there are very few artists i can say have held my interest for this long! Go Billy, your a legend and my hero!
Amazing singer/guitarist. I love his style. His guitar style attracts rock fans!
I first heard this song years ago on a complimentary cd I got,can't even remember where but instantly loved it!
I saw him about 25 years ago, just been looking for gigs in the Midlands. He is the best. I love his music and he has a strong point of view too.
Billy bragg's music is wonderful
So much feels. He's cocky but he can back it up, true poetry.
beyond solid, gutsy soul sound of Billy Bragg & the souls of his influences flying around him.... yeah !!!!!
Thank you Mr Stephen William Bragg, your poetry still inspires.
Such a beautiful song.
One of the finest tunes ever written.
Saw him in Japan another life time ago... introduced to his music through a friend. Every Saturday I’d walk to his house and he would play new music to me. Halcyon days. My love of music has never diminished ✌🏻
This song and “man in the iron mask” send chills to my core
I came across that song a bit later than many others of his, but it is an unbelievably well imagined description of that situation.
Thank you so much for posting this gold. Love this man and this song
My sons have finally realised dad’s tunes shit on they’re tunes.... One of my desert island discs for sure..Brilliant Billy,, thanks for many years of listening to this masterpiece..✌️✌️👍👍❤️❤️
Oh! best reason for watching The Tube in days gone by - Billy Bragg is simply brilliant. Thanks for being brave enough to sing about things that matter in a way we can all get. This track - amazing.
What a true blue. Barrett Strong says hello from Detroit luvs this song...
Billy's music is aging just as gracefully as Levi's. Jawdropping raw performance.
billy bragg lengend
Absolutely beautiful. I was speechless when I first heard it.
Singing into an empty beer bottle pretending I am Billy Bragg. I did that as a spotty 15 year old. Still do that as a 40 year father of 2. Brilliant remains brilliant. Thanks for the joy you have given Billy!
I have been a big fan of Billy Bragg for the past 20 years now!! This tune by BB-Levi Stubbs' Tears was the first Bragg tune I learned to play on my Fender Telecaster!!
Long live Billy Bragg! Touches my heart and my soul. My most profound respects.
More than a song, it's visual art and a masterpiece...
I keep wanting to click 'like' again. As gorgeous as the day I first heard it 20-odd years ago.
It was already brilliant in 86, it's only gotten better over the years...
Excellent performance of this great artist
Billy Braggs tribute to Motowns late and greats Norman Whitfield Barrett Strong Lamont Dozier and of course the legendary front man of the Four Tops Levi Stubbs all gone but not forgotten may they RIP 👃➕ ........
Listened to it May 11th 2019.. still one of the best songs I know
Not heard this for years... Still brilliant and moving
Wish I could say something profound but there just are no words to describe how much I love this tune
That was profound enough. Same feeling I have. This performance (and song) is amazing.
billy sings from the heart and means every word could you ask any more
He clearly is a songwriter who stands behind every word. Solid.
Saw Billy a few years back, when he came to the Universal hall, Findhorn. He was bloody brilliant!
yeah in my opinion one of the greatest songs of all time
truly brilliant .......
What a song. The album (talking about the taxman about poetry) is amazing and Billy's guitar playing and lyrics are very understated on it. I urge you to purchase it. He's doing things that I wish I could with my own ongs. Bravo Billy! lets see a proper upload of Greetings To The New Brunette
It is the saddest, most hauntingly beautiful songs ever written
"When the world falls apart, some things stay in place" is there anyone who cannot relate to that. Brilliant!
thanks for puttin this up- great raw vid of a top song
I agree, it's such a pure and heartfelt performance video that it's somehwat hard to watch while listening to the song at the same time.
Simply Brilliant!!!
wow..one man, his guitar and his poetry..a booming voice..awesome
Billy Bragg is wonderful! I love this song. Ah! I get watery eyed whenever I hear it.
Just been intriduced to Billy, and I'm hooked!
a favorite track, from one of my favourite albums, 'nuff said really
Billy Bragg, what can I say, you were a huge part of my youth, hats off my friend. ONE OF THE BEST ALL TIME HANDS DOWN!!!!!
i always like a hearty "oi" at the end of a song...
With the money from her accident she bought herself a mobile home.......absolute poetry. So he can't sing, but boy can he write beautiful lyrics. This song blew me away in the 80s and it still sends tingles down my spine today. Thank you so much.
This is one of if not the greatest song of my life!
Thanks for posting! One of my favorite songs.
@accadoza Oh my so epic. I envy you and I am happy to hear your report. I am glad your still here with us newer Bragg fans relating stories. Thanks to you!
I love Billy Bragg.
Saw him at Big Day Out last year, he blew everyone away. Brilliant political commentator/comedian/musician/nice bloke. And this song is beautiful.