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 Β£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 PotosΓ, 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 β who was setting up his own record label, Go! Discs β 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" β 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 1984β1985 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.
There Is Power In A Union
Billy Bragg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Now the lessons of the past
Were all learned with workers' blood
From the cities and the farmlands
To trenches full of mud
War's always been the bosses' way, sir
The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters
From many far off lands
There is power in a Union
Now I long for the morning that they realize
Brutality and unjust laws cannot defeat us
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise
When the bosses send their lackeys out to cheat us?
Money speaks for money
The Devil for his own
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone?
What a comfort to the widow
A light to the child
There is power in a Union
The Union forever defending our rights
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
With our brothers and our sisters
Together we will stand
There is power in a Union
Billy Bragg's song "There Is Power In A Union" is a powerful anthem for the strength and importance of labor unions. The song begins by highlighting the various sources of power for workers, including the production factories and the rich lands that they work on. However, the underlying message is that the true strength lies in the collective power of the workers themselves. Their combined force is meaningless if they do not stand together.
Bragg then delves into a discussion about the history of labor rights, compelling listeners to remember the sacrifices made by workers to achieve the rights that they possess today. He specifically alludes to times of crisis and war, stating that bosses have always used these as ways to maintain and strengthen their power over the workers.
The song then shifts to an urgent call to action, as Bragg laments the lack of support for certain segments of workers who are unable to organize. He criticizes the way in which those in power use money to maintain their dominance, and condemns the lack of advocacy for those who truly need it. Despite the somber tone that carries through the lyrics, the song ends on an upbeat note, insisting that there is indeed power in a union, and as long as workers stand together, they will have the strength to push back against those who seek to exploit them.
Line by Line Meaning
There is power in a factory, power in the land
The ability to influence or control lies in the hands of factory workers, farmers and labourers who hold sway over the physical resources of land, property and infrastructures.
Power in the hand of the worker
The physical power lies in the hands of the worker, with their ability to participate in strikes or bring production to a standstill, they have control over the productivity.
But it all amounts to nothing
However, their power and influence will amount to nothing if they don't unite or work collectively to achieve their goals.
If together we don't stand
If they don't unite to strengthen their collective bargaining power, then it will weaken their resolve and their ability to achieve their objectives.
There is power in a Union
The true source of power lies only in the union - a collective force of workers united for a common cause or objective.
Now the lessons of the past
The historical events that took place and the struggles of the working class serve an important foundation to learn from their triumphs and failures.
Were all learned with workers' blood
The lessons were not only derived from intellectual or theoretical exercises but were learnt from the bloodshed and sacrifices of the working class.
The mistakes of the bosses we must pay for
The bosses' errors and wrong decisions are often borne by the working class with reduced wages, loss of jobs and little job security.
From the cities and the farmlands
Issues related to the working class affect people in all areas- from urban to farming communities.
To trenches full of mud
The working class is not just confined to urban settings, even in times of war, they have to bear the brunt of the harsh circumstances.
War's always been the bosses' way, sir
Throughout history, those in positions of power and authority have used wars as a tool to gain power or control over others.
The Union forever defending our rights
The union will always remain the champion for the rights of the workers, safeguarding their interests and negotiating better contracts and wages.
Down with the blackleg, all workers unite
The concept of scabs (blacklegs) or people who cross the picket line is unequivocally rejected by the union. The true strength lies in the unity of the workers.
With our brothers and our sisters
The union's collective strength comprises of workers from different races, religions or nationalities who work together to achieve their goals.
From many far off lands
Workers from different nations, cultures or backgrounds working together towards a common cause is a salient feature of unions.
Now I long for the morning that they realize
The singer's hope is that someday, people will realise that tyrannical rulers, oppressive laws and regulations will not break their unity and opinions.
Brutality and unjust laws cannot defeat us
Despite brutal physical violence or unfair laws, the power of the union and unity amongst the workers will always be victorious.
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise
Although unions are the go-to organisation for protecting the rights of workers, people who are unable to organise unions need protection and support as well.
When the bosses send their lackeys out to cheat us?
Employers often use suppliers or middlemen who are prone to fraud or exploitation to keep their costs low, and the workers and the union need to remain vigilant and to be aware of this constantly.
Money speaks for money
The saying implies that those with wealth will always use their resources to gain more power, influence, and to maintain their control over society.
The Devil for his own
The devil is a symbol of evil or malevolence; the line suggests that people with wealth or influence prioritise their interests over others.
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone?
The singer is calling out to a vocal spokesperson for the weak and the downtrodden, the ones who are unable to represent themselves or have their voices heard.
What a comfort to the widow
The union offering support or solace to those women who have lost their husbands, who are considered the main breadwinner in most households, because of labour-related incidents is the only solace these women can find.
A light to the child
Growing up in poverty and strife, children often see only the darkness of the future; the union, through their actions, can offer hope and light to these underprivileged sections.
Together we will stand
The strength lies in unity and the cooperation of different groups.
There is power in a Union
Reiteration of the fact that unions help in bringing about solidarity and the necessary support to fight oppression and tyranny.
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen William Bragg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JDRevene
The workers, united will never be defeated ππΌ
Jamie Warnes
Can a riff make you cry? Yes.
bwm 72
@John Randall So you're pro-Brexit and proud of that? Dunce.
John Randall
I cry every time I see the grotesque hypocrit Billy Bragg. He always preaches "Up the workers" and all sorts of trendy left wing crap. Yet he chooses to live in a multi-million pound house on the Dorset coast. That's about a million miles from the multi-culti inner city holes that anti-Brexit Bragg likes to glorify.
FUCKING HYPOCRITE!
David Black
Me too
Audra Maio
Too right.
Elfine d'Oiseaux
Jamie Warnes YES!!!! π’
Finn O'Bryan
thank you for everything you've done for music, politics and the people who don't have a voice, Billy <3
Mark David
Now there's a person I wish I lived next door to during the day lockdown! ππ
Steril&Feral
Solidarity Forever! Cooperation, not competition!