Must I Paint You a Picture? The Essential Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg · 2003
167 min · 50 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant collection of folk-punk anthems filled with sharp social commentary and heartfelt storytelling.
Why this album works
This compilation not only showcases Bragg's extensive catalog but also highlights his influence on the folk-punk genre, inspiring numerous artists across generations. It received critical acclaim and served as an important resource for those exploring the intersection of music and activism, solidifying Bragg’s legacy as a socially conscious songwriter.
- Best for
- quick bursts of lyrical insight thought-provoking storytelling throughout dynamic shifts in pacing
- Context
- Released in 2003, 'Must I Paint You a Picture?' is a comprehensive anthology that captures Billy Bragg's evolution from his debut album in 1983 to a respected voice in political music. By this time, Bragg had solidified his reputation as a leading figure in alternative rock, blending incisive lyrics with acoustic melodies.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 A New England Standout 2:15
- 2 The Man in the Iron Mask 2:06
- 3 The Milkman of Human Kindness 2:55
- 4 To Have and to Have Not 2:33
- 5 A Lover Sings 3:53
- 6 St Swithin's Day 3:55
- 7 The Saturday Boy 3:31
- 8 Between the Wars 2:29
- 9 The World Turned Upside Down 2:35
- 10 Levi Stubbs' Tears Standout 3:32
- 11 Walk Away Renee 2:24
- 12 Greetings to the New Brunette 3:32
- 13 There Is Power in a Union Standout 2:50
- 14 Help Save the Youth of America 2:48
- 15 The Warmest Room 3:58
- 16 Must I Paint You a Picture 5:31
- 17 She's Got a New Spell 3:24
- 18 The Price I Pay 3:34
- 19 Valentine's Day Is Over 4:54
- 20 Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards 4:35
Disc 2
- 1 Sexuality 3:48
- 2 Cindy of 1000 Lives 4:14
- 3 Moving the Goalposts 2:34
- 4 Tank Park Salute 3:29
- 5 You Woke Up My Neighbourhood 3:10
- 6 Accident Waiting to Happen (Red Stars version) 3:48
- 7 Sulk 3:47
- 8 Upfield 4:05
- 9 The Fourteenth of February 3:25
- 10 Brickbat 3:13
- 11 The Space Race Is Over 4:25
- 12 The Boy Done Good 3:22
- 13 Ingrid Bergman 1:50
- 14 Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key 4:07
- 15 My Flying Saucer 1:46
- 16 All You Fascists Bound to Lose (Blokes version) 4:11
- 17 NPWA 5:29
- 18 St. Monday 3:01
- 19 Somedays I See the Point 4:57
- 20 Take Down the Union Jack (Band version) 3:22
Disc 3
- 1 A13, Trunk Road to the Sea 2:28
- 2 Fear Is a Mans Best Friend 2:33
- 3 Cold and Bitter Tears (live) 2:35
- 4 Seven and Seven Is 2:12
- 5 When Will I See You Again 3:02
- 6 Rule nor Reason (live) 3:33
- 7 Debris 4:10
- 8 Dry Bed (demo version) 1:48
- 9 She Smiled Sweetly 2:52
- 10 Take Down the Union Jack (King Normal & The Rug remix) 2:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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