Billy Bragg Broken Down

Finding fame in the 1980s, Barking-born Billy Bragg quickly made a name for himself as an extremely politically charged musician. In this post, I’ll be breaking down some of his most powerful lyrics in some of his most famous songs, analysing their implications and how they made an impact in the Tory-led Britain of the end of the century.

 

There is power in a factory, power in the land

Power in the hand of the worker

But it all amounts to nothing

If together we don't stand

There is power in a Union.

 

Perhaps his most well-known single, "There Is Power in a Union" was first released in his 1986 album 'Talking with the Taxman About Poetry''. Set to the tune of "Battle Cry of Freedom", the song discusses the need for and benefits of unionisation, encouraging the working class to unite in order to incite change and reform. 

 

I was a miner

I was a docker

I was a railway man

Between the wars

 

I raised a family

In time of austerity

With sweat at the foundry

Between the wars

In these verses from 'Between the Wars', Bragg shows himself to be a true hero of the working class by defining himself by the jobs he has worked and the hardships he has faced. He directly tackles the issue of Tory-caused 'austerity' in the UK, exposing the challenges that came with being of the working class and living in Tory Britain. 

 

I paid the union

And as times got harder

I looked to the government

To help the working man

 

But they brought prosperity

Down at the armory

We're arming for peace, me boys

Between the wars

 

I kept the faith and

I kept voting

Not for the iron fist

But for the helping hand

In later verses of 'Between the Wars', Bragg passionately declares that he does not vote for 'the iron fist' of the likes of Thatcher and her Tory peers. Rather, he suggests that both peace and prosperity for all people can be achieved by voting for the 'helping hands' - or in other words, the Left.

The people's flag is deepest red

It shrouded oft our martyred dead

And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold

Their hearts' blood dyed in every fold

 

In 'The Red Flag', Bragg suggests that Labour and the left, as emblemised by the colour red, are 'the people's' party. His suggestion that equality can be found in Leftist governments is continued in his song 'Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards':

 

I've had relations with girls from many nations

I've made passes at women of all classes

And just because you're gay I won't turn you away

If you stick around I'm sure that we can find some common ground

Sexuality - Strong and warm and wild and free

Sexuality - Your laws do not apply to me

Undoubtedly, Billy Bragg was vocalising his leftist beliefs by advocating for a more free and fluid approach to sexuality far, far before the likes of Declan McKenna were passed the torch. In these lines, Bragg not only portrays sexuality as something to be embraced, but also suggests that the worth of sexual and romantic partners should not be determined by their nationality or class. Through song, he paints a picture of a utopic world where free love is a truly viable option available to all.