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 The Great Leap Forwar
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
"Waiting For The Great Leap Forward" by Billy Bragg is a song about the disillusionment of the idealistic youth of the 1960s and 70s. The song lyrics present several instances of dashed hopes and disappointments that point to the need for a great leap forward in our social, political, and economic systems. The lyrics portray the idea that progress and change cannot be made until we address the underlying social and economic issues.
The verse "It may have been Camelot for Jack and Jacqueline, 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" refers to the disillusionment of the wealthy in the face of the crumbling political system of the 20th century.
The following verse, "In the Soviet Union, a scientist is blinded by the resumption of nuclear testing, and he is reminded that Dr. Robert Oppenheimer's optimism fell at the first hurdle," refers to the disillusionment of the scientific community in the face of the misuse of technological advancements.
Through these contrasting examples of the privileged and the oppressed, Bragg highlights the need for the world to progress beyond the current, flawed state of affairs. The song ends with a call to action for the listener, to join the struggle and start their own revolution.
Line by Line Meaning
It may have been Camelot for Jack and Jacqueline
Things may have been great for those in power and privilege, but the reality for the rest of us is different.
But on the Che Guevara highway filling up with gasoline
In everyday life, we are reliant on fuel that comes at a cost - both in terms of money and environmental impact.
Fidel Castro's brother spies a rich lady who's crying
A member of the elite observes someone who has everything they do but recognizes that material possessions don't necessarily bring happiness.
Over luxury's disappointment
The rich lady is unhappy despite having all the trappings of success and money can't buy everything.
So he walks over and he's trying
The man tries to empathize with the rich lady.
To sympathize with her but he thinks that he should warn her
He wants to offer some perspective that there are things more important in life than wealth.
That the Third World is just around the corner
There are people in the world living in abject poverty, and that could be the future of those in privileged circumstances unless something changes.
In the Soviet Union, a scientist is blinded
Even those with skills and knowledge have suffered because of political decisions that put power over people.
By the resumption of nuclear testing and he is reminded
The scientist sees firsthand the consequences of decisions that prioritize weapons over human lives.
That Dr. Robert Oppenheimer's optimism fell
Even the founders of the nuclear programs recognized that the power they created had the potential to be destructive on a massive scale.
At the first hurdle
The early stages of progress can be rocky and fraught with challenges.
In the Cheese Pavilion and the only noise I hear
Amidst the bustle and noise of everyday life, the artist is looking for something more meaningful.
Is the sound of someone stacking chairs
The mundane and ordinary tasks can easily drown out more important conversations and actions.
And mopping up spilled beer
The cleanup work after a party is often overlooked but just as important as the party itself.
And someone asking questions and basking in the light
Even small moments of curiosity and connection can be important in building towards progress.
Of the fifteen fame-filled minutes of the fanzine writer
We should not necessarily celebrate fame and notoriety but rather focus on people who are truly making a difference.
Mixing pop and politics he asks me what the use is
The artist encounters someone who sees politics as a lost cause and cannot see the point in engaging with them.
I offer him embarrassment and my usual excuses
The singer acknowledges that there may be times when politics do feel frustrating or impotent, but we should still maintain hope and motivation.
While looking down the corridor out to where the van is waiting
The singer is looking for something more, possibly symbolic of progress and change.
I'm looking for the great leap forward
The artist is searching for real, concrete progress, even if it feels out of reach.
Jumble sales are organized
Even the most mundane or unlikely events can be used to further progressive efforts.
And pamphlets have been posted
Advocacy and education can come in many different forms.
Even after closing time there's still parties to be hosted
The work of progress and social change extends beyond just formal, structured events or meetings.
You can be active with the activists
There are many different ways to contribute to efforts toward progress.
Or sleep in with the sleepers
One can ignore the need for change and address solely one's own immediate needs and desires.
While you're waiting for the great leap forwards
Even if progress feels far away or elusive, there is still value in waiting and seeking.
One leap forward, two leaps back
Making progress is challenging, and it can feel like setbacks and failures are more common than successes.
Will politics get me the sack?
Participation in political change can come at a cost, whether financially, socially or professionally.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
The artist is waiting and hoping for progress, despite these challenges.
Well, here comes the future and you can't run from it
Time and progress march onward and can be scary, but they cannot be avoided.
If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it
The singer wants to be seen as someone working toward progressive change, even if that puts them at odds with powerful interests.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
The artist is still waiting for progress and actively seeking it out.
Oh, it's a mighty long way down rock 'n roll
Even work that seems trivial, like music and entertainment, can have a real impact on progressing the society around us.
From 'Top of the Pops' to drawing the dole
The journey from being a typical, entertainment-oriented star to a more socially engaged, politically active figure can be significant and challenging.
You're waiting for the great leap forwards
Despite these difficulties, the singer is still looking for progress and change in the world.
If no one out there understands
Even if it feels like no one agrees or sees the proposition for change, it is still worthwhile to strive for progress.
Then start your own revolution and cut out the middleman
If no one else is doing the work of progress, it is up to individuals to start the work themselves and be their own agents of change.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
The singer remains focused on progress and change as an important force in the world.
In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
The idea of progress and change is an ideal that is not always easily achieved but is still valuable to pursue.
But this is reality so give me some room
The hard truths of life sometimes require understanding and acceptance rather than blind idealism.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Despite these difficulties, the artist remains deeply committed to pursuing progress.
So join the struggle while you may
The singer urges others to participate in the struggle for progress while they still can.
The revolution is just a t-shirt away
Small symbols of solidarity and involvement can have a real impact in progressing society.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
The artist continues to wait and work for progress even in the face of difficulties.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
The refrain emphasizes the artist's persistence and dedication to progressing society and creating a better world.
Waiting for the great leap forwards
Waiting for the great leap forwards
(Baby, I'm strutting) 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
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Stephen William Bragg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@herbieshine1312
@conceptobject here in the uk independent music predominantly only played on John Peel. Possibly 10pm-12am Monday-Thursday.
David Jenson and later Janice Long played some more accessible alternative music beforehand, 8pm-10pm
Recording peel sessions on to tape. I kept most of them until earlier this year.
Thatcher and the tories in government.
We did have independent record shops that sold alternative music, but from experience it was usually only one such store in your average size town.
Being an indie/ alternative fan would lead to calls of various insults when walking out and about for the clothes you wore or the hair style you had.
To be honest I loved that, I still have an indie "heart" and I'm proud to have been different then and still now.
I like and liked the tribalism we had. Although music I listen to now is much wider.
Edit: punk was more of a 70's phenomenon here but lead to the indie scene I loved
@chrismorrison3696
Met Billy at the Mean Fiddler in North London in 1990. He was so dear and sweet and generous with his time talking to me. I was so nervous and he knew it. He put his hand gently on my shoulder and said, "It's okay mate. Just take your time." I will never forget it, ever. Love, Sloppy
@christophermccafferty1107
Saw him last night at the Portsmouth Guildhall he finished with New England and he allowed us, the audience to sing all the choruses while he just played guitar. 3rd time I’ve seen Billy and every time gets better and better. Go see the roaring 40s tour if you can xx
@robertarisz8464
Billy's heart has been straight and true for the 40 years I have followed him - a rare artist that does not demand commercials but RESPECT.
Thanks to him for all he has done.
@thewangster123
One of the greatest songs of all time 🙂
@goods5119
That he has always kept the lyrics current, without losing anything, is remarkable. Truly a masterpiece. I feel like any Billy is what any punk should aspire to become. Mature without losing any of the values
@steveb3354
Haha You've got to be kidding me 🤣
@josemaria8177
The song I come back to on hard times. "Make your own revolution and cut out the middle man" is one of my favourite lyrics of all time
@r-tyomfrolov4211
couldn't agree more
@monikacognomen1096
'If you've got a blacklist, I wanna be on it' is better. Story of my life...
@edposs8483
Perfect . Me too