In 1977, Bragg formed the punk rock/pub rock band Riff Raff, and toured London's pubs and clubs. The band released a series of singles, which did not receive wide exposure. He also worked in Guy Norris Records in Barking. Bragg became disillusioned with his music career, and in May 1981 joined the British Army as a recruit destined for the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars of the Royal Armoured Corps. After three months, he bought his way out of the army for £175 and returned home, having attended basic training but having never served in a regiment as a soldier.
Bragg began performing frequent concerts and busking around London, playing solo with an electric guitar. His roadie at the time was Andy Kershaw, who became a BBC DJ (Bragg and Kershaw later, in 1989, appeared in an episode of the BBC TV programme, Great Journeys, in which they travelled the Silver Road from Potosí, Bolivia, to the Pacific coast at Arica, Chile). Bragg performing at South by Southwest in 2008.
Bragg's demo tape initially got no response from the record industry, but by pretending to be a television repair man, he got into the office of Charisma Records' A&R man Peter Jenner. Jenner liked the tape, but the company was near bankruptcy and had no budget to sign new artists. Bragg got an offer to record more demos for a music publisher, so Jenner agreed to release them as a record. Life's a Riot with Spy Vs. Spy was released in July 1983 by Charisma's new imprint, Utility. Hearing DJ John Peel mention on-air that he was hungry, Bragg rushed to the BBC with a mushroom biryani, so Peel played a song from Life's a Riot with Spy Vs. Spy although at the wrong speed (since the 12" LP was, unconventionally, cut to play at 45rpm). Peel insisted he would have played the song even without the biryani and later played it at the correct speed.
Within months, Charisma had been taken over by Virgin Records and Jenner, who had been laid off, became Bragg's manager. Stiff Records' press officer Andy Macdonald – who was setting up his own record label, Go! Discs – received a copy of Life's a Riot with Spy Vs. Spy. He made Virgin an offer and the album was re-released on Go! Discs in November 1983.[citation needed] In 1984, he released Brewing Up with Billy Bragg, a mixture of political songs (e.g., "It Says Here") and songs of unrequited love (e.g., "The Saturday Boy"). The following year he released Between the Wars, an EP of political songs that included a cover version of Leon Rosselson's "The World Turned Upside Down" – the EP made the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart and earned Bragg an appearance on Top of the Pops. Bragg later collaborated with Rosselson on the song, "Ballad of the Spycatcher". In 1985, his song "A New England", with an additional verse, became a Top 10 hit in the UK for Kirsty MacColl. After MacColl's early death, Bragg always sang the extra verse in her honour. In 1984–1985 he toured North America.
In 1986, Bragg released Talking with the Taxman about Poetry, which became his first Top 10 album. Its title is taken from a poem by Vladimir Mayakovsky and a translated version of the poem was printed on the record's inner sleeve. Back to Basics is a 1987 collection of his first three releases: Life's A Riot With Spy Vs. Spy, Brewing Up with Billy Bragg, and the Between The Wars EP. Bragg released his fourth album, Workers Playtime, in September 1988. With this album, Bragg added a backing band and accompaniment.
In May 1990, Bragg released the political mini-LP, The Internationale. The songs were, in part, a return to his solo guitar style, but some songs featured more complicated arrangements and included a brass band. The album paid tribute to one of Bragg's influences with the song, "I Dreamed I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night", which is an adapted version of Earl Robinson's song, "I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night", itself an adaptation of a poem by Alfred Hayes.
The album Don't Try This at Home was released in September 1991, and included the song, "Sexuality", which reached the UK Singles Chart. Bragg had been persuaded by Go! Discs' Andy and Juliet Macdonald to sign a four-album deal with a million pound advance, and a promise to promote the album with singles and videos.[citation needed] This gamble was not rewarded with extra sales, and the situation put the company in financial difficulty. In exchange for ending the contract early and repaying a large amount of the advance, Bragg regained all rights to his back catalogue.[citation needed] Bragg continued to promote the album with his backing band, The Red Stars, which included his Riff Raff colleague and long-time roadie, Wiggy.
Bragg released the album William Bloke in 1996 after taking time off to help raise his son. Around that time, Nora Guthrie (daughter of American folk artist Woody Guthrie) asked Bragg to set some of her father's unrecorded lyrics to music. The result was a collaboration with the band Wilco and Natalie Merchant (with whom Bragg had worked previously). They released the album Mermaid Avenue in 1998, and Mermaid Avenue Vol. II in 2000. A rift with Wilco over mixing and sequencing the album led to Bragg recruiting his own band, The Blokes, to promote the album. The Blokes included keyboardist Ian McLagan, who had been a member of Bragg's boyhood heroes The Faces. The documentary film Man in the Sand depicts the roles of Nora Guthrie, Bragg, and Wilco in the creation of the Mermaid Avenue albums.
In 2004, Bragg joined Florida ska-punk band Less Than Jake to perform a version of 'The Brightest Bulb Has Burned Out' for the Rock Against Bush compilation.
At the 2005 Beautiful Days Festival in Devon, Bragg teamed up with the Levellers to perform a short set of songs by or associated with The Clash in celebration of Joe Strummer's birthday. Bragg performed guitar and lead vocals on "Police and Thieves", and performed guitar and backing vocals on "English Civil War", and "Police on my Back".
In 2007, Bragg moved closer to his English folk music roots by joining the WOMAD-inspired collective The Imagined Village, who recorded an album of updated versions of traditional English songs and dances and toured through that autumn. Bragg released his album Mr. Love & Justice in March 2008. This was the second Bragg album to be named after a book by Colin MacInnes. In 2008, during the NME Awards ceremony, Bragg sang a duet with British solo act Kate Nash. They mixed up their two greatest hits, Nash playing "Foundations", and Bragg redoing his "A New England". Bragg also collaborated with the poet and playwright, Patrick Jones, who supported Bragg's Tour.
In 2008, Bragg played a small role in Stuart Bamforth's film "A13: Road Movie". Bragg is featured alongside union reps, vicars, burger van chefs and Members of Parliament in a film that explored "the overlooked, the hidden and the disregarded."
He was involved in the play Pressure Drop at the Wellcome Collection in London in April and May 2010. The production, written by Mick Gorden, and billed as "part play, part gig, part installation", featured new songs by Bragg. He performed during the play with his band, and acted as compere.
Bragg curated the Leftfield stage at Glastonbury Festival 2010.
He took part in the Bush Theatre's 2011 project Sixty Six where he has written a piece based upon a chapter of the King James Bible.
Bragg performed a set of the Guthrie songs that he had set to music for Mermaid Avenue during the Hay Literary Festival in June 2012. Mermaid Avenue Vol. III and Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions were also released in early 2012.
On 18 March 2013, Bragg released his latest studio album, five years since Mr. Love & Justice, titled Tooth And Nail. It featured 11 original songs, including one written for the Bush Theatre, and a Woody Guthrie cover. Stylistically, it continues to explore genres of Americana (music) and Alternative country, both of which he has said he has been playing and writing regularly since Mermaid Avenue (1998).
In November 2017, he released all six tracks from the mini-album Bridges Not Walls as downloads and CD through the Billy Bragg website and other sellers, followed by the single Full English Brexit through Cooking Vinyl.
Greetings To A New Brunette
Billy Bragg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's quite exciting to be sleeping here in this new room
Shirley,
You're my reason to get out of bed before noon
Shirley,
You know when we sat out on the fire escape talking
Shirley,
What did you say about running before we were walking
Sometimes when we're as close as this
It's like we're in a dream
How can you lie there and think of england
When you don't even know who's in the team
Shirley,
Your sexual politics have left me all of a muddle
Shirley,
We are joined in the ideological cuddle
I'm celebrating my love for you
With a pint of beer and a new tattoo
And if you haven't noticed yet
I'm more impressionable when my cement is wet
Politics and pregnancy
Are debated as we empty our glasses
And how i love those evening classes
Shirley,
You really know how to make a young man angry
Shirley,
Can we get through the night without mentioning family
The people from your church agree
It's not much of a career
Trying the handles of parked cars
Whoops, there goes another year
Whoops, there goes another pint of beer
Here we are in our summer years
Living on icecream and chocolate kisses
Would the leaves fall from the trees
If i was your old man and you were my missus
Shirley,
Give my greetings to the new brunette
The song "Greetings to the New Brunette" by Billy Bragg tells the story of a man named Shirley who meets a woman and falls in love with her. The lyrics describe the excitement of being in a new relationship, with the woman becoming his reason to wake up each day. The two talk about their past experiences, politics, and their future dreams while lying in bed together.
The song also touches on societal issues, including gender politics and the pressures of conforming to societal standards of success. Shirley's sexual politics leave the singer confused and unsure, but they still celebrate their love with a pint of beer and a new tattoo. The lyrics conclude with the singer asking Shirley to give their greetings to a new brunette, implying that the relationship has come to an end.
Overall, the song captures the complexity and excitement of new love, while also highlighting the challenges and societal pressures that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Shirley,
It's quite exciting to be sleeping here in this new room
Addressing Shirley, the singer expresses excitement about sleeping in a new room.
Shirley,
You're my reason to get out of bed before noon
The singer acknowledges Shirley as their motivation to wake up and start the day early.
Shirley,
You know when we sat out on the fire escape talking
The singer reminds Shirley of a past conversation they had while sitting on a fire escape.
Shirley,
What did you say about running before we were walking
The artist asks Shirley to recall something she said previously about taking risks before being fully prepared.
Sometimes when we're as close as this
It's like we're in a dream
How can you lie there and think of england
When you don't even know who's in the team
The artist muses that being close with someone can feel unreal, and wonders how Shirley can be disengaged from the present (thinking of England) when she is not even up to date on the basics (football).
Shirley,
Your sexual politics have left me all of a muddle
Shirley,
We are joined in the ideological cuddle
The singer expresses confusion over Shirley's views on sex and gender, but declares that they are united in their beliefs.
I'm celebrating my love for you
With a pint of beer and a new tattoo
And if you haven't noticed yet
I'm more impressionable when my cement is wet
The singer declares their love for Shirley while indulging in alcohol and getting a new tattoo, and jokes that they are more easily swayed when they are under the influence.
Politics and pregnancy
Are debated as we empty our glasses
And how i love those evening classes
The artist and Shirley discuss weighty topics like politics and pregnancy over drinks, but the artist also enjoys spending time with Shirley in more lighthearted settings.
Shirley,
You really know how to make a young man angry
Shirley,
Can we get through the night without mentioning family
The artist acknowledges that Shirley has a talent for riling him up, and asks if they can avoid discussing family matters for the rest of the evening.
The people from your church agree
It's not much of a career
Trying the handles of parked cars
Whoops, there goes another year
Whoops, there goes another pint of beer
The artist comments on how Shirley's church community views their unconventional lifestyle, and laments how time seems to slip away when spent engaging in frivolous activities like trying car doors and drinking.
Here we are in our summer years
Living on icecream and chocolate kisses
Would the leaves fall from the trees
If i was your old man and you were my missus
The singer reflects on their carefree summer spent indulging in sweet treats and spending time with Shirley, and wonders if their relationship would still have the same kind of charm if they were married and settled down.
Shirley,
Give my greetings to the new brunette
The artist sends their regards to a new person in Shirley's life who has recently caught their attention.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY BRAGG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johncaballero8430
Lyrics:
Shirley
It's quite exciting to be sleeping here in this new room
Shirley
You're my reason to get out of bed before noon
Shirley
You know when we sat out on the fire escape talking
Shirley
What did you say about running before we were walking
Sometimes when we're as close as this
It's like we're in a dream
How can you lie there and think of england
When you don't even know who's in the team
Shirley
Your sexual politics have left me all of a muddle
Shirley
We are joined in the ideological cuddle
I'm celebrating my love for you
With a pint of beer and a new tattoo
And if you haven't noticed yet
I'm more impressionable when my cement is wet
Politics and pregnancy
Are debated as we empty our glasses
And how I love those evening classes
Shirley
You really know how to make a young man angry
Shirley
Can we get through the night without mentioning family
The people from your church agree
It's not much of a career
Trying the handles of parked cars
Whoops, there goes another year
Whoops, there goes another pint of beer
Here we are in our summer years
Living on icecream and chocolate kisses
Would the leaves fall from the trees
If I was your old man and you were my missus
Shirley
Give my greetings to the new brunette
Shirley
Give my greetings to the new brunette
Shirley
Greetings to the new brunette
Shirley
Greetings to the new brunette
Shirley
Greetings to the new brunette
Shirley
@saraliza3137
Shirley, it's so exciting to be sleeping here in this new room
Shirley, you're my reason to get out of bed before noon
Shirley, you know when we sat out on the fire escape talking
Shirley, what did you say about running before we were walking?
Sometimes when we're as close as this
It's like we're in a dream
How can you lie there and think of England
When you don't even know who's in the team?
Shirley, your sexual politics have left me all of a muddle
Shirley, we're joined in the ideological cuddle
I'm celebrating my love to you
With a pint of beer and a new tattoo
And if you haven't noticed yet
I'm more impressionable when my cement is wet
Politics and pregnancy are debated as we empty our glasses
And how I love those evening classes
Shirley, you really know how to make a young man angry
Shirley, can we get through the night without mentioning family?
The people from the church agree
It's not much of a career
Trying the handles of parked cars
Whoops there goes another year, whoops there goes another pint of beer
Here we are in our summer years
Living on ice cream and chocolate kisses
And would the leaves fall from the trees
If I was your old man and you was my missus?
Give my greetings to the new brunette
Shirley
Greetings to the new brunette
Shirley
Greetings to the new brunette
Shirley
Greetings to the new brunette
Shirley
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Stephen William Bragg
@patriotrob7066
Man I was 19 when this masterpiece came out 54 now and still love this.
Reminds me of a long lost love I had.❤
@kennethcollins6494
Masterpiece is correct
@user-jg9zw5fq5d
Just discovered this song about a week ago. I’m 19 right now and my Dad is 54, he told me about it. Such a great song. 😊
@johnhagan-zr4pm
If you had a small d1ck why should she stay with you ?
@nicolahamill3292
The best line “I’m more impressionable when my cement is wet”. Bloody brilliant!
@rjjcms1
Plenty of super lines in this song. Love the video too.
@damianmcwilliams2371
I always thought he said.."when my singlet is wet"🙀
@ronbenham2183
Thanks Billy, for giving me so many tunes of love and other stuff. 54 now, I'm not the same as I was then, but why would I be? It's more than reminiscing though. It's a longing, for something I lost.
@trackhos
52 here and from the other side of the world (Philippines) and i hear you man, this song transports me to a simpler, magical time where anything was possible and love was as beautiful as it was (seemed) painful.
@robfalgiano
You didn’t really lose anything, Friend. Life is all change. But we carry the best parts in our hearts.