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.
Waiting For A Train
Billy Bragg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But on the Che Guevara highway filling up with gasoline
Fidel Castro's brother spies a rich lady who's crying
Over luxury's disappointment
So he walks over and he's trying
To sympathize with her but he thinks that he should warn her
That the Third World is just around the corner
By the resumption of nuclear testing and he is reminded
That Dr. Robert Oppenheimer's optimism fell
At the first hurdle
In the Cheese Pavilion and the only noise I hear
Is the sound of someone stacking chairs
And mopping up spilled beer
And someone asking questions and basking in the light
Of the fifteen fame-filled minutes of the fanzine writer
Mixing pop and politics he asks me what the use is
I offer him embarrassment and my usual excuses
While looking down the corridor
Out to where the van is waiting
I'm looking for the great leap forward
Jumble sales are organized
And pamphlets have been posted
Even after closing time there's still parties to be hosted
You can be active with the activists
Or sleep in with the sleepers
While you're waiting for the great leap forwards
Ah, one leap forward, two leaps back
Will politics get me the sack?
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Well, here comes the future and you can't run from it
If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Oh, it's a mighty long way down rock 'n roll
From "Top of the Pops" to drawing the dole
You're waiting for the great leap forwards
If no one out there understands
Then start your own revolution and cut out the middleman
Waiting for the great leap forwards
In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
But this is reality so give me some room
Waiting for the great leap forwards
So join the struggle while you may
The revolution is just a t-shirt away
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Waiting for the great leap forwards
(Beam me up, Scotty) waiting for the great leap forwards
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Waiting for the great leap forwards
The opening lines of the song, "It may have been Camelot for Jack and Jacqueline, but on the Che Guevara highway filling up with gasoline", references the lives of US President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline, who were often referred to as "Jack and Jackie". The song then moves on to other events, referencing Fidel Castro's brother warning a rich lady about the Third World, a scientist blinded by nuclear testing in the Soviet Union, and a fanzine writer trying to mix pop and politics. All of these events are connected by the idea of waiting for a "great leap forwards", a major change in society that will bring about progress and justice.
The lyrics of the song reflect the political activism of Billy Bragg, who is known for his socialist views and involvement in various campaigns for social justice. The song highlights the struggles that people face and the need for radical change to address them. Throughout the song, Bragg encourages listeners to take action, to join the struggle, and to start their own revolution.
Overall, "Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards" is a powerful and thought-provoking protest song that speaks to the struggles and hopes of people everywhere who seek to create a better world. It serves as a testament to the enduring power of music as a tool for political activism and social change.
Line by Line Meaning
It may have been Camelot for Jack and Jacqueline
Maybe in the past, everything seemed perfect and lovely, like Camelot, for some people.
But on the Che Guevara highway filling up with gasoline
But nowadays people are more concerned with their own personal interests, like getting gas for their cars.
Fidel Castro's brother spies a rich lady who's crying
Fidel Castro's brother observes an affluent woman who's unhappy.
Over luxury's disappointment
She's upset that despite having everything she wants, she's still unfulfilled and discontent.
So he walks over and he's trying
Castro's brother approaches her to offer support.
To sympathize with her but he thinks that he should warn her
He attempts to empathize with her but also realizes that he should caution her.
That the Third World is just around the corner
He wants her to realize that poverty and struggle exist close to even the wealthiest lifestyles.
In the Soviet Union a scientist is blinded
In Russia, a scientist is injured and loses his sight.
By the resumption of nuclear testing and he is reminded
The accident occurs because of renewed nuclear weapons testing and serves as a reminder of the dangers of nuclear weapons.
That Dr. Robert Oppenheimer's optimism fell
The incident causes the scientist to recall that even Dr. Oppenheimer, who helped invent the atomic bomb, eventually lost faith in the good that nuclear power could do.
At the first hurdle
He lost his confidence shortly after beginning his work.
In the Cheese Pavilion and the only noise I hear
At an event in a location called the 'Cheese Pavilion,' the only sound present is that of attendees rearranging chairs and cleaning up spilled drinks.
Is the sound of someone stacking chairs
The only thing audible is the noise of someone putting chairs in order.
And mopping up spilled beer
Also, someone's cleaning up spilt drinks.
And someone asking questions and basking in the light
Additionally, there's someone in the crowd who is asking questions and enjoys the attention they're receiving.
Of the fifteen fame-filled minutes of the fanzine writer
This person holds on to their brief moment of potential fame as a writer for a fan magazine.
Mixing pop and politics he asks me what the use is
A pop-oriented person challenges the purpose of combining politics and music.
I offer him embarrassment and my usual excuses
The songwriter feels embarrassed and offers frequently-used apologies.
While looking down the corridor
While gazing in the direction of something looming in the distance,
Out to where the van is waiting
Where a vehicle is stationed, ready to depart,
I'm looking for the great leap forward
The songwriter keeps anticipating some kind of major societal advancement or change.
Jumble sales are organized
A community event has been planned to sell secondhand items.
And pamphlets have been posted
Various fliers have been left around town.
Even after closing time there's still parties to be hosted
There will be gatherings even after the usual store hours have ended.
You can be active with the activists
You have the option to participate with groups that are mobilizing for specific causes,
Or sleep in with the sleepers
Or, alternatively, simply stay asleep and uninvolved.
While you're waiting for the great leap forwards
As you're sitting around, waiting for something huge to happen that spurs progress.
Ah, one leap forward, two leaps back
It seems like periods of great progress are frequently followed by setbacks,
Will politics get me the sack?
It's unclear what level of involvement in politics is safe in various employment situations.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Still hoping for some big improvement or advancement.
Well, here comes the future and you can't run from it
The future is rapidly approaching and cannot be avoided.
If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it
If there is a list of people who are being punished or blacklisted for their views, the songwriter would prefer to be on it.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Still thinking progress is right around the corner.
Oh, it's a mighty long way down rock 'n roll
It is a challenging path to become successful in the music industry,
From "Top of the Pops" to drawing the dole
From performing on a popular television show to not having any income at all.
You're waiting for the great leap forwards
Still waiting for big changes to come.
If no one out there understands
If nobody can relate to what is being said or done,
Then start your own revolution and cut out the middleman
Begin your own movement and bypass obstacles.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Still hoping for the breakthrough moment.
In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
In an ideal society, everything would be in alignment and harmony.
But this is reality so give me some room
Unfortunately, things are not perfect, so give me some space to speak my mind.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Still on the edge of their seat waiting for progress.
So join the struggle while you may
Get involved with activism and make changes while you still can.
The revolution is just a t-shirt away
Supporting a cause can be as easy as buying a t-shirt.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Still waiting for a grand moment of progress.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Holding out hope for some major change.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Still waiting for some grand progression.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Anticipating some huge leap forward inevitably coming soon.
(Beam me up, Scotty) waiting for the great leap forwards
A humorous addition to the end of the song that just repeats the same sentiment of waiting for progress.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Stephen William Bragg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind