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.
The Clashing of Ideologies
Billy Bragg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just because she's top of the pile,
Doesn't mean her vision is the clearest.
And the voices of the people,
Are falling on deaf ears,
Our politicians all become careerists.
They must declare their interests,
Is there more to a seat in parliament,
Than sitting on your arse?
And the best of all this bad bunch,
Is shouting to be heard,
Above the sound of ideology crashing.
Whisper up in Whitehall,
Must not be spoke aloud,
The offender faces jail or resignation.
And another dose of welfare cuts
Is passed without a word,
From those who claim to represent
The centre of this nation.
All these men and women,
Elected for their high ideals.
While we just pay our taxes,
They pay lip service when it feels.
And the voices of the millions,
And the hopes of a whole lot more,
Are lost above the sound
Of ideology crashing.
Are lost above the sound of ideology,
Above the sound of ideology,
Above the sound of ideology crashing.
The Clashing of Ideologies by Billy Bragg is a political commentary on the state of democracy in Britain. The song is critical of politicians who have prioritized their personal interests and ambitions over those of the people they represent. Bragg suggests that the voices of the masses have been drowned out by a single individual who is deemed to be at the top of the political hierarchy.
The first verse of the song questions the clarity of the leader's vision even though they are deemed to be the most powerful person in the country. The voices of the people are falling on deaf ears, and the politicians who are supposed to serve the public's interest are instead focused on their careers. The second verse calls out the politicians for not being transparent about their interests. They have become complacent in their positions, and they no longer represent the people who elected them.
Bragg also talks about the lack of free speech and how people are afraid to voice their opinions in Whitehall because of the fear of prosecution. The song recognizes the plight of the marginalized who are often ignored by their representatives. The politicians were elected based on their high ideals but have fallen short in representing the hopes and aspirations of the people they serve.
Overall, the song is a plea for politicians to think beyond their own self-interests and do what is right for the people who elected them. The melody is melancholic and adds depth to the lyrics, making the message even more poignant.
Line by Line Meaning
When one voice rules the nation,
When a single person or group dominates the country and its decisions.
Just because she's top of the pile,
Being at the top doesn't guarantee clear, effective leadership.
Doesn't mean her vision is the clearest.
Having power doesn't necessarily mean having the best ideas or plans.
And the voices of the people,
The concerns and opinions of ordinary citizens.
Are falling on deaf ears,
Politicians are ignoring the people they're supposed to serve.
Our politicians all become careerists.
Politicians prioritize their own careers over representing and helping their constituents.
They must declare their interests,
Politicians must disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
But not their company cars.
However, some perks of their job may go undisclosed.
Is there more to a seat in parliament,
Being a member of parliament should involve more than just sitting around.
Than sitting on your arse?
It should involve actual work and representation.
And the best of all this bad bunch,
Even the most competent politician is still inadequate.
Is shouting to be heard,
Politicians must be outrageous or loud to gain attention and influence.
Above the sound of ideology crashing.
Above the noise of different political beliefs clashing and competing.
Whisper up in Whitehall,
Secret discussions among high-ranking officials in the UK government.
Must not be spoke aloud,
Sensitive topics must remain secret and not revealed to the public.
The offender faces jail or resignation.
Those who violate this rule face serious consequences.
And another dose of welfare cuts
Reductions in social welfare benefits.
Is passed without a word,
Politicians don't inform or consult citizens about major decisions.
From those who claim to represent
Politicians who say they're acting on behalf of the people.
The centre of this nation.
The mainstream and most common political views in the UK.
All these men and women,
All the politicians who were elected.
Elected for their high ideals.
Chosen by citizens for their moral or political values.
While we just pay our taxes,
Ordinary people carry the financial burden of government without having a say in important decisions.
They pay lip service when it feels.
Politicians only give superficial agreement to popular ideas or causes.
And the voices of the millions,
The opinions and needs of many people.
And the hopes of a whole lot more,
The aspirations and expectations of many others.
Are lost above the sound
Drowned out by
Of ideology crashing.
The intense conflict between different fundamental ideas and beliefs.
Are lost above the sound of ideology,
All these voices are drowned out by the clash of visionary beliefs.
Above the sound of ideology,
Overriding competing beliefs.
Above the sound of ideology crashing.
The struggle of different ideas pushes people's beliefs and aspirations to the background.
Contributed by Cooper A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Evin Blundell
obligatory lyrics:
When one voice rules the nation
Just because they're top of the pile
Doesn't mean their vision is the clearest
The voices of the people
Are falling on deaf ears
Our politicians all become careerists
They must declare their interests
But not their company cars
Is there more to a seat in parliament
Than sitting on your arse
And the best of all this bad bunch
Is shouting to be heard
Above the sound of ideologies clashing
Outside the patient millions
Who put them into power
Expect a little more back for their taxes
Like school books, beds in hospitals
And peace in our bloody time
All they get is old men grinding axes
Who've built their private fortunes
On the things they can rely
The courts, the secret handshake
The Stock Exchange and the old school tie
For God and Queen and Country
All things they justify
Above the sound of ideologies clashing
God bless the civil service
The nations saving grace
While we expect democracy
They're laughing in our face
And although our cries get louder
The laughter gets louder still
Above the sound of ideologies clashing
Above the sound of ideologies
Above the sound of ideologies
Above the sound of ideologies clashing
Stefan Van Daele
This is one of the most beautiful songs ever written about Ideology I'm listening for 27 years to the songs of Billy and this song still touches me every time
Tapio Christiansen
Dear Billy, as much as I've ever loved your music and find it relevant today, as a 48 year old man, what brought me to this video really is the gorgeous timberwork behind the band. If that's your loft studio, you're a lucky man, earned it.
Methodical Mystic Butterfly Intuitive LLC
Thank you for all the great music you've released over the years, Billy! 😁🙌
Anthony Williams
Billy sings from the heart he is a good man.
grai
AMZING THAT THIS SONG IS AS PERINENT NOW AS IT WAS IN THE 80'S
Ed Drass
Ottawa in 2022.
Craig S
TRUTH
PL MK
Along with Between the Wars, I've just posted that today after voting. ;)
Craig S
I love this recording.
Every song from Talking With The Taxman About Poetry is something special to me.
The Sugar Sheds.com
Billy Bragg Talks To The Tax Man About Politics again! Ideology, the definitive rewrite of Chimes Of Freedom (Dylan). You have to admire Billy and his beliefs as they are nothing but true and his finger is as always, on the pulse! This song is as relevant now as it was when I was a teenager. Learn it, teach it, sing it. Spread the word of Bragg! This is an important song you must pass on to the people who need it!