“Start your own revolution and cut out the middle man.” Billy Bragg, Waiting for the Great Leap Forward. Image: Su Leslie 2015.
Reducing my 30-odd year love affair with the music of English singer-songwriter, Billy Bragg to a single song for Sarah’s 30 Days, 30 Songs has proved so difficult that it’s taken until Day 24 for me to stop dithering and make a selection.
The final, upbeat, track from an album of powerfully sad and angry songs. I will always associate this with the one time I’ve seen Billy Bragg play live — at the Auckland Town Hall in about 1989.
Sarah at Art Expedition is hosting 30 Days, 30 Songs. You can see her latest choice here.
Zimmerbitch 
Billy Bragg makes perfect sense to me.
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The thing is his angry words are sadly so apt for NOW. The state we’ve got ourselves in!
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I wish I didn’t agree with you Tish, but you are right. “One step forward, two steps back … “
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Lovely those political statement songs, Su.
Leslie
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Glad you like them Leslie.
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I do!
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It is sooo hard choosing just 1 song, isn’t it? I feel so bad for not knowing him though his voice sounds very familiar. Do you know if his songs were used for films sometimes? I really love the one you picked for today and this way I can push feeling bad aside now and start feeling excited because I can discover his music now! 😄
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The only film I know of that uses one of his songs on the soundtrack is Pride (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3169706/), which has “There is Power in the Union”
I’m so glad you like his music. I can listen to his songs over and over again.
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I haven’t seen this film yet but love Bill Nighy and have put it on my list! 😀
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Yay. Bill Nighy is wonderful.
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He really is! 😀
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Probably no surprise that I like Billy too! I’ve also only seen him once live. KT Tunstall came on for a while and sang with him, which makes me think it must have been Celtic Connections where everyone seems to guest on everyone else’s show.
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Billy Bragg and KT Tunstall together — now I am envious. And you’ve reminded me how much I like her music. So many songs, so little time.
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I’ve never heard of Billy Bragg either. Now, I want to hear more of his musics. Thanks Su.
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Yay. I love when people enjoy the musical choices.
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You, Sarah, Tracy and Bushboy have done a beautiful job. Challenge met! ❤️
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Thank you. This is one of the most fun challenges I’ve ever taken part in. 🙂
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