Fucking goosebumps. Impossible to comprehend there was a time when Billy Bragg would be shown on US network TV.

@epicmeade

8 ай бұрын

I would actually credit David Letterman for that. As a fan of generally non mainstream music I’ve noticed that Dave seems to really respect music that might not otherwise reach as mainstream an audience as he was capable of providing. And I think that Billy Brag was the best example of that commitment.

"if you got a black list, I wanna be on it. It is better than a Grammy with me name on it.' Billy slides in such powerful one-liners so quickly and slyly. Love this man's talent.

@stephenwalker850

Жыл бұрын

Ahm sure he wis on ah blacklist but ay

@weswheel4834

Жыл бұрын

:D I'd never noticed the 2nd part of that until you mentioned it. Nice.

@laika6661

Жыл бұрын

Also ‘those that burn books will later burn people’. Couldn’t ring more true today.

Dylan got the Nobel Prize but I will personally lend my pensioner bus pass to Billy Bragg. He deserves it.

@paddygav

6 жыл бұрын

Comment of the week!

@ckwriter

4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

@stephenmckenna7663

3 жыл бұрын

Yip he is the real deal only cares about the working man

@robertoNcognito

2 жыл бұрын

Any time he wants to tour Sydney by bus or ferry he can use my opal card

@tamarayoung9861

Жыл бұрын

Genius ❤

"Those who burn books will later burn people." How true.

@stephenmckenna7663

3 жыл бұрын

Yip so true

A real working class hero!✊

@roddyframe123456

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely ❤

@Chrisdavies33

9 ай бұрын

More a Champagne Socialist these days sadly 🥲

@seang3019

7 ай бұрын

​@@Chrisdavies33because workers should never have champagne? You're a fetishist! Have you ever been poor?

@nigelbevan8449

7 ай бұрын

​@@Chrisdavies33Indeed he is, unfortunately.

Bragg got his break in the UK by delivering legendary DJ John Peel a biryani and persuading him to play his record. Peel had just mentioned on air he was a bit hungry. This is my favourite hero origin story.

I saw him in 86 or 87 in Vancouver. A great, intimate show. Slowly over the years we both aged, funny how that happens. Looking at this I remember being young, being angry that the world wasn't all it could be. And lifting my head, I realise that little has change for the better, and Mr. Bragg is still out there telling us about it. What a great reminder that I should still be angry, that I should still be trying for a real great leap forward. I won't see it, but perhaps I can give my daughter a running start to clear that distance.

@davidstewart4852

6 жыл бұрын

Well said.

@anthonyodonnell8724

5 жыл бұрын

The world will never be all it could be in some Utopian concept. The Great Leap Forward was into the grave for a huge number of people, and into terrible tyranny for the rest.

@garyfinch8267

4 жыл бұрын

@@anthonyodonnell8724 he's not talking about that one...hence 'still waiting'

@longbeachdave1

3 жыл бұрын

@@garyfinch8267 That's the funny thing; they are always waiting, waiting for SOMEBODY to get it right. I'm sure 2021 will offer an opportunity for success for Socialism. Keep the faith!

@edhebert

3 жыл бұрын

Your words just hit me directly in my now overweight, corporate American gut. I think that deep down I’m still angry, but much of it is now directed more inwardly. Billy is still out there preaching, but I didn’t do my part.

This is gorgeous in every way. I used to sing this until I knew every word and force myself to start again if I slipped

Late night TV. USA. Mid 80s. And BBragg owns it! There are moments in your life when you step up or fold. The boy from Barking stepped up.

What are you all talking about - Billy Bragg has a lovely singing voice 'mixing pop and politics' like a true poet. And still around to do it today.

Worker's Playtime is a work of genius.

I was trying to find a song for my wife so we could dance to it at our wedding. I had a list. Before I could run it by her, I played the music video for this song. She made the choice for me after that. I'm a very lucky man.

Weller, Costello, Difford & Tillbrook, Billy rubs shoulders with the best with his lyrics.

@HighwayStarTimmy

Жыл бұрын

I was listening to this and thought I wonder which band would have been even better with him as lead singer?

Dave deserves major props for having Billy on.

Remembering my dad letting me stay up late on a school night to watch this.

To this day one of Billy's best songs and this performance was a good one. The lyrics on this song are some of the best that have been put to paper and through the years he's adapted them to the times. This show happened back in the 80's and this is an earlier version, but still HELLA DOPE!!

I feel its only appropriate that i comment here

@GH-ct9mc

3 жыл бұрын

I've been waiting for you...

OMG Billy is such a baby here. I can't even begin to remember how many times I've seen him and I still see him most times he is in Toronto for the past 30 years, including the last night of his 3 at the Horseshoe celebrating their 70TH anniversary. He was awesome as ever.

@ckwriter

4 жыл бұрын

Me too! That Horsehoe stint was amazing - I went to two of the three nights. I've been lucky enough to see him gig in London & Dublin on a few occasions over the decades as well. He remains such an incredible inspiration.

Cudos to Dave for bringing him on. America needs more democratic socialism.

@nestorsdragon8057

7 жыл бұрын

dahlski Screw reformist socialism, we need a fucking nitrogen fire to burn up capitalism, and a revolution to pummel through it

@SunflowerSocialist

6 жыл бұрын

Nestor's Dragon sounds like you’re waiting for the great leap forwards

@zooms6316

6 жыл бұрын

All socialism is democratic

@cmecoo3109

4 жыл бұрын

@@zooms6316 *laughs in Mao Zedong*

@DavidHeffron78

3 жыл бұрын

#bernie2024

The Rushdie reference is brilliant. As the rest of it, obviously.

The little things the bassist does here is incredible. Like listen at "thinks that he should warn here" or "basking in the light" SO fucking good

What a pleasure to hear this old clip. Billy Bragg always strikes me as a hard-working British version of Woody Guthrie (though even that comparison makes me a bit parochial). Thanks Billy, thanks Letterman, and thanks to whoever posted.

@stevepearson8478

3 жыл бұрын

Your comment got my attention because in the early 90’s I was at a folk festival in Edmonton and Billy was at a smaller stage doing a workshop with Arlo Guthrie it was epic.

@erict956

3 жыл бұрын

Billy is the custodian of Woody Guthrie's music as his family gave Billy the rights to his unpublished music. Dylan asked for it but they said no, Billy was chosen and rightly so.

@pitchforkcustom

Жыл бұрын

he put music to woody lyrics.. two albums of pure exllence in the mermaid avenue songs

Billy was playing this song when I was 7 years old and he's still able to turn the same tune to brand new lyrics and situations when I'm in my 40s. Magic.

Nearly 30 years on and this song has been near and dear to my heart since I was a teen. Brilliant beyond reckoning. What to say, what to say.....? On this New Years Eve I'm getting a little reminiscent and sweaty eyed as it's hot in this room I'm in.....

At his finest 😊 young and carefree and didn't he just blow the crowd away. Brilliant.

I always forget what a great house band Paul created.

Billy and Dave made my 20s special

Letterman was the man for giving an unconventional genius like Bragg a platform. Who on TV today has the balls to take a chance like this?

Never thought I’d see Billy Bragg on Letterman

Can not believe I missed this. Biggest Fan Girl right here! for 30 years now!

I really love watching Paul's band back Billy Bragg!

nobody can make me hold back tears like a 6 year old like billy bragg

Billy Bragg makes the most out of what he has. It's not just in his heart-felt music, but also in the way he lives and fights for equality. There are no mindless smoke and mirrors as in Techno/House/Trance. Perhaps that's why everyone is upset, Billy actually makes you THINK.

"From East Berlin to the Letterman Show"!

Hellworld is relentless, especially in 2020, but we'll get there. Solidarity y'all.

I'd love to know if theres a database somewhere of all the various verses he's built up over the years

Bill was so young then....time FLIES

Billy for prime minister

The band is so awesome. I appreciate it that they’re so entertaining in each episode, as they compensate for Dave when he lays an egg, says something stupid or insensitive or more likely talks over the guests, but here they’re drowning BB out. Part of his story is being one guy with his electric guitar and unfailingly relevant lyrics.

I live in the great county of Essex in England (as it was the kingdom of the East Saxons) and we gave the world Billy Brag, Depeche Mode, Dr Feelgood and The Prodigy. Yes , you are welcome.

What a Great song for The Great Leap Forward!

I've seen Billy live a few times, including an impromptu two songs on the counter of Paul Hudson's now defunct Comic Showcase shop in Monmouth St, London as part of a charity day. He never fails to deliver and this is one of his great songs.

Billy has shaped my life

People forget, but this is a perfect example of why Letterman was so great at 11:30. "Making his network television debut, please welcome Billy Bragg.""If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it. It's better than a Grammy with my name on it" - so Billy Bragg.

@ckwriter

4 жыл бұрын

So true. I'm both a huge Letterman fan and Bragg fan. In fact, I became a Bragg fan after first catching him on Letterman in '88 and must've seen Billy gig over 25 times in three different countries since then.

@johnmcintyre8481

3 жыл бұрын

Me too! I saw this episode of Late Night when it aired, not knowing who Billy was. But I was hooked and have seen him perform many times since.

Love it, never seen that clip before, and 1988 was around the time I joined the 'Billy Party', tickets booked for Derby later this year for the 'Tooth and Nail' tour. Wonderful to see that even then Billy was playing with the lyrics of even his newest songs to make them relevant to the news. Gave me goosebumps!!! Thanks for posting it.

i don’t completely agree with everything this man is saying completely but the fact that he sings every single word form deep within his heart makes me adore every single one of his songs, after all no matter what your ideology is we all strive for peace justice and liberty which is what this man sings for

Billy!

My god this sounds so good

Billy, you don't even have to try. you're there. you were my days and my nights, but I always left you at the door (where, of course, you like to be). thank you so much. long live billy!!

As an American, this is the 4th major song (with somewhat popularity) from my childhood, of a British artist singing with a thick British accent, (as opposed to most other British songs/artist that have been popular here in America)

I loved catching this- just loved it!

Still loving it in 2019!

Me Uncle Bill going up to the podium. Fear takes a back seat.

This is a gem, thanks for posting this! I saw Billy play in Mpls around this time, before and after, excellent performer. "Worker's Playtime" is a classic album.....

Fantastic.

That was really good.

Still killin it!

Lets not wait!!!

Great performance Billy. Some funny, funny lines. But, I think I'm ready for the great leap forwards. ( I don't mean violence. That would be illogical) but...

@johnvndonut

8 жыл бұрын

Letterman has no idea what to make of him... viva murhikkah.

just awesome.....

Brilliant

Thanks for posting. A real treasure.

Love this

Boaby the Barman playing some mean guitar here.

@FoobsTon

2 жыл бұрын

Whoooaahha. Waiting for the next pint of Tenants.

Billy Bragg: The real deal

Brilliant English accent as he sings!

@rikwheatley7006

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, that's cos he's English!

@rackpunch4026

3 жыл бұрын

That's Essex, that's what that is.

What a treat

Beauty.

saw this Letterman episode live. great time. great song.

We don't share the same politics, but we do share the same goals. Bragg is an international treasure.

@AwesomeLover98

2 жыл бұрын

Which side are you on?

@unwind6553

Жыл бұрын

@@AwesomeLover98 theres a side ?

@clemfandango5886

8 ай бұрын

​@@unwind6553you don't get the reference.

This is a great performance besides, but it sure sounds like they forgot to plug in his guitar.

@sarianna

4 жыл бұрын

It seems like he made a very serious effort to ensure his every word was as audible as possible for this performance... that might have included keeping the guitar low

@stayingsober7802

Жыл бұрын

Clear as day

Well there goes almost 3 1/2 decades…

Epic!

not sure what year, but I saw him in concert, must have been '85 or '86, between the songs he would talk and I could not understand ONE word he said.

Brilliant songwriter.

Too fvcking awesome on so many levels. So sorry Millenials., We fvcked up. We failed. I'm so sorry. Make the best of what's left of the mess we made. So sorry...

@simoncantwell9256

6 жыл бұрын

Satwa Dude Tell it to the post-millennials. They’re the ones who are going to drag us into the streets.

Young Billy biting his tongue as Letterman throws in some cases xenophobia. A national treasure.

I say I say, I say gawd dayum!

The name of the song is 'Waiting for the great leap forwards'

Check out Billy's new EP - Bridges Not Walls.

Still waiting....

The Woodie Guthrie of this passing age.

The Bard of Barking

Billy like anyone in that audience could even try to understand what you were saying :)

Will Lee is so good!!

3:21 Nice lyric reference to his host.

Oops, my bad. I just made the correction. Thanks!

15 June 2018

Still waiting Bill….

Great performance by the brilliant Billy Bragg but what bugs me is that it didn't click in Letterman's mind to ask Billy to do an impression of Stallone directing a New York taxi driver.

Someone knows where can I found a live concert of Bragg singing THE HOM FRONT? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@simonwells61

8 жыл бұрын

Here you go - track 9 x archive.org/details/bbragg1986-06-21.flac16

.... A socialist in America? how times have changed.

@HairyBosch

8 жыл бұрын

Fully agree. Still trying to work out (in my house in the UK) when "socialism" became a dirty word. When I did my Politics degree in the late 80's it meant that you were a believer that we could all work together to help each other. FOX changed that apparently......

@fjpd8702

7 жыл бұрын

+Nobby Nolevel And nowadays, more than a dirty word, it has even become a crime all around the Western world... I just hope some other generation finds out what socialism really means (and learns from the past mistakes), or this world will get digested and craped by itself!

@LookDeeper

7 жыл бұрын

jamesg3456 Explain your definition of socialism. To me this isn't about communism, capatilism or any ism for that matter. There's programming of a kind going on, coming from every side of the coin. There's good people and there's bad, There's good ideas and bad. A good leap forward is asking oneself what one really feels and knows in comparison to what one thinks one knows. Maybe. Not having a go here, just asking question that I ask of myself. I hold no strongly held beliefs in any dogmatic ideologies. There are other methods of living that are coming into view. There's tough times ahead and neither communism nor capitalism in its current form is the answer.

@pendragonU

3 жыл бұрын

5 years after your comment and now 20% of working class but deeply ignorant Americans following a billionaire called Trump as their economic woes answer, are calling in clueless chorus, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for being socialists or commies, as if these two really were even 'liberals' at all.... how distorted things have come off any Reality as they're fiddled by that side road charlatan swindling all with lies and more lies

@longbeachdave1

3 жыл бұрын

@@HairyBosch You've got to be kidding. You cannot be that credulous at your age. Or, I guess you can.

Bass too funky. Guitar too quiet. Keyboard too loud. Lacking an emotional trumpet solo. Looks more like a pop outfit than a protest singer. Fucking brilliant.

@2sick2care

10 жыл бұрын

Too bad, you fucked up, no response- total toad.

@davidmaholchic6146

7 жыл бұрын

Vocals near perfect

'Mr Bojangles', with different lyrics

How could David Letterman think that the Kinks were dead?

Bernie Sanders wishes he was as cool as Billy Bragg....

@cletuscleezasi7080

8 жыл бұрын

Billy endorsed Bernie a while back.

@punkhippe

5 жыл бұрын

Fuck you

I like that the American host has no clue to what to ask this socialist legend. Billy sings an incredible song about the growing international socialist movement: ‘How old are you’, ‘wow you have an accent.’

What is a 'preformer'? You've literally just got to read words off a screen, Dave.

Hmmmm bit of casual racism there from Letterman, see Billy look away feeling awkward at his comment.

@seththomas1965

6 жыл бұрын

I noticed that as well.

@darrenlacy3975

5 жыл бұрын

RACISM ????? So many people whinge when a truth is told about a non white! The fact that there where many taxi drivers who didnt speak a word of English isnt racist its true! I lived in Queens from 87 to 92 and yes Lettermans correct ! so fukin what if the joke offends a few people hahahaha I , and obviously Letterman, coud not give a fuk ! By the way I love being white ! .

@barrybenson4158

5 жыл бұрын

@@darrenlacy3975 Shut the fuck up boomer.

@apemangeezer6969

Жыл бұрын

@@darrenlacy3975 Jesus Christ, Darren

Is the "Ollie" he's referencing Oliver Letwin?

@matholomewbrooksopoulos7085

4 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure. Given the time of the performance it could also have been Oliver North.