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 Marching Song Of The Covert Battalions
Billy Bragg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to keep the communists in order
Just remember when youâ??re sleeping in your beds
Theyâ??re only two days drive from the texas border
How can a country large as ours
Be scared of such a threat
Well if they wonâ??t work for us
They may be sovereign countries
But you folks at home forget
That they all want what weâ??ve got
But they donâ??t know it yet
Tra-la-la-la, Tra-la-la-la, Tra-la-la-la
Weâ??re making the world safe for capitalism
Here we come with our candy and our guns
And our corporate muscle marches in behind us
For freedomâ??s just another word for nothing left to sell
And if you want narcotics we can get you those as well
We help the multi-nationals
When they cry out protect us
The locals scream and shout a bit
But we donâ??t let that affect us
Weâ??re here to lend a helping hand
In case they donâ??t elect us
How dare they buy our products
Yet still they donâ??t respect us
Tra-la-la-la, Tra-la-la-la, Tra-la-la-la
Weâ??re making the world safe for capitalism
If you thought the army
Was here protecting people like yourself
Iâ??ve some news for you
Weâ??re here to defend wealth
Away with nuns and bishops
The good lord will help those that help themselves
Iâ??ve some news for you
Weâ??re here to defend wealth
Tra-la-la-la, Tra-la-la-la, Tra-la-la-la
Weâ??re making the world safe for capitalism
The Marching Song of the Covert Battalions is a satirical commentary on American intervention in foreign nations, in the name of capitalism and democracy. The lyrics suggest that the US military's supposed efforts to protect freedom and democracy are merely a front for protecting giant corporations and their interests overseas. The chorus sarcastically declares that they are making the world safe for capitalism, making it clear that America's foreign policy is geared towards establishing new markets and securing vital resources, rather than promoting democracy and freedom.
The verses of the song take a more intricate look into the country's foreign intervention. The first verse references America's historical fear of communism and its relentless efforts to suppress any communist forces domestically or abroad. The second verse describes how America manifests its capitalist agenda through corporate aid and the use of military force to secure assets in other countries while ignoring the wishes of the local populace. The third verse criticizes the American military's perceived motivation, saying that they are not here to protect the people or their rights but the wealth and interest of giant corporations.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we are seeking out the reds
We are actively searching for communists to maintain order.
Trying to keep the communists in order
We are attempting to control and regulate any communist activity.
Just remember when you're sleeping in your beds
While you sleep peacefully at night, we are still working to keep you safe.
They're only two days drive from the texas border
Communism is dangerously close to entering into our country.
How can a country large as ours
It is surprising for a country as large as ours to be afraid of such a small threat.
Be scared of such a threat
Why should we be afraid of communism when we have the resources to protect ourselves?
Well if they won't work for us
If these countries refuse to cooperate with us, we see them as our enemy.
They're against us you can bet
If they're not with us, they're against us.
They may be sovereign countries
While these countries may have their own governments, we still have a significant amount of control over them.
But you folks at home forget
Many Americans don't realize the amount of power we have over other countries.
That they all want what we've got
These countries all desire the resources and wealth that we possess.
But they don't know it yet
These countries act unaware of their desire for what we have.
We're making the world safe for capitalism
Our efforts are focused on the protection and spread of capitalism.
Here we come with our candy and our guns
We bring material goods and military force in order to expand our influence.
And our corporate muscle marches in behind us
Our profitable corporations are always waiting and prepared to seize opportunities to expand their businesses.
For freedom's just another word for nothing left to sell
We use the guise of protecting freedom to justify our actions in acquiring resources and wealth.
And if you want narcotics we can get you those as well
Our focus is on profit, and we are willing to provide even illegal substances to generate revenue.
We help the multi-nationals
Our efforts are directed towards assisting multinational corporations in expanding their wealth and influence.
When they cry out protect us
When these corporations call for aid, we see it as our duty to protect and assist them.
The locals scream and shout a bit
While local citizens may speak out against our actions, we disregard their resistance.
But we don't let that affect us
We are not affected by resistance, and continue with our efforts regardless.
We're here to lend a helping hand
We claim to be acting in helpful ways, but our true intentions are to expand our power and wealth.
In case they don't elect us
If local governments do not elect politicians favourable to us, we still continue with our efforts.
How dare they buy our products
We take offense when citizens of other countries buy our products without showing enough respect for our power and wealth.
Yet still they don't respect us
Despite purchasing our products, other countries may not recognize our level of power and authority.
If you thought the army
If you believe that our army is acting in the interests of the American people,
Was here protecting people like yourself
We are here to protect the interests of wealthy Americans and corporations.
I've some news for you
We have a different agenda than our citizens anticipate.
We're here to defend wealth
Our ultimate goal is to secure and expand the wealth of those in control.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLY BRAGG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LarzGustafsson
"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to sell." Brilliant!
@EarthtoZap
Great memories, I used to blare this over my stereo in the barracks at Bragg. LOL
@user-qj7fp9ug7j
U were in the army?
@dave8172
Don't lie
@r.coburn3344
To you, more than any veteran I’ve ever met, I give an almost violently enthusiastic salute.
@robgoulding689
US foreign policy summed up in a song
@nibsthefroggirl8205
More like the whole west
@arkaig1
Still such a great song, loving both sides THOROUGHLY, even after 35 years of singing it, from both sides, and from above, and from below... Of course, progress can still be made, but only in other dimensions! To infinity, to the infinite power, and beyond! The extra-musical embellishments still provide the exquistite I.O.O.F. finger, beautifully.
@stephenmckenna7663
Every time I’m down and pissed this song gives me a lift
@annikee59
One of the bests songs ever written.