Billy Bragg

[Smoginexile]

 

[Lefty]

Cried every time I have seen him do TPS since my Dad died about 15 years ago. And many other times listening to it at home. Hopefully one of my funeral songs if my son thinks enough of me.

You might have to settle for 'Accident Waiting To Happen'.

 

[Muttley]

Billog Bragg tribute act?

 

[borolad259]

I remember one day listening to Simon Mayo in the car, interviewing Bob Wilson (yep, the footballer) about losing his daughter to cancer. Billy Bragg was on the show too, and talked about losing his Dad to cancer. Then he played Tank Park Salute. I had to pull off the road, in floods of tears.

Having said that, New England would be my favourite of his songs, even though I prefer Kirsty's version.

 

[Redwurzel]

This is Billy performing with my friend, Cara. She went on to work with Blur, then became a teacher.

 

[asredastheycome]

This is Billy performing with my friend, Cara. She went on to work with Blur, then became a teacher.

Great cover. Get it on the covers thread.

 

[rkangel]

It appears I can no longer access any of the links put up on here. Anyone suggest a solution?

 

[The_Lizards_Jumpers]

I think his two most important songs are probably Between The Wars and Never Buy The Sun. There's loads I love, St Swithins Day, God's Footballer, Levi Stubbs Tears, A New England, loads. I also like a little song called Ontario Quebec and me. Live you can't beat what he does with Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards and stuff like Which Side Are You On, A13 Trunk Road to The Sea, Jeanne. Everyone should see him live at least once.

Jeane is of course a cover of The Smiths, which should feature on the cover version thread.

 

[sweet_left_foot]

This is Billy performing with my friend, Cara. She went on to work with Blur, then became a teacher.

pop fact: His, their, only number 1 single, being a AA side with wet wet wet for childline.

 

[sweet_left_foot]

and all of the above, plus A lover's town revisited. Which to (probably only) me, is Boro

 

[speckyget]

Saw him at the start of his career and seeing him next month. Meanwhile this, another Johnny Marr collab. How can you lie there and think of England when you don't even know who's in the team?

 

[Starbuck]

Saw him 3 times last year by accident by going to see Paul Heaton. Didn't do anything for me. Felt like watching someone who was no longer relevant.

 

[bungydinsdale]

Ohh, this is a hard one. I've seen Billy Bragg literally dozens of times over the years, including about 6 times at one Glastonbury fest in mid 80s (one of those was when he pulled out his guitar and did an impromptu gig outside the vege burger stall due to the big queue there.
Also seen him twice in NZ (once with the Blokes).
Today's answer would probably be Sexuality, but that may change to Levi Stubbs Tears or Greetings to the New Brunette or World Turned Upside Down by the end of the day.

 

[Joy_Division_Oven_Gloves]

Waiting for the Great Leap Forward ‘live’ - different every time

 

[NeilInFrance]

Of many favourites from the 80s, Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards for the transition from Bragg playing alone to the full band playing. It marked the end of an era.

A bit like as if he had been fighting against injustice alone for years and then suddenly as he heads into battle the rest of the army turns up. Monty Python Holy Grail-esque

 

[Redwurzel]

I don't go to many stadium type concerts, but saw Billy Bragg at the Hay Festival about 10 years ago singing and discussing English Protest Songs from 1600s to date. I love to do it again including some sung and written by real levellers and diggers from Cromwell's New Model Army.