The Internationale
Billy Bragg · 1990
62 min · 19 tracks · alternative rock
A passionate blend of folk-punk and socialist anthems, echoing with urgency and political fervor.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Internationale — As the title track, this rendition of the famous socialist anthem encapsulates the album's spirit, stirring a sense of collective struggle against oppression.
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Joe Hill — This tribute to the legendary labor activist highlights Bragg's storytelling prowess and connects historical struggles to contemporary issues faced by workers.
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There Is Power in a Union — A powerful call to solidarity, this track underscores the importance of collective bargaining and workers' rights, resonating deeply with labor movements.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends original and traditional protest songs with a strong communal feel, though its cohesion is affected by live tracks.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a strong, anthemic chorus, setting a tone of urgency and collective action.
- Several tracks incorporate live recordings, which introduce crowd interactions and enhance the feeling of communal protest.
- The sequencing includes both original compositions and reimagined traditional songs, creating a dialogue between past and present activism.
- Tracks like 'There Is Power in a Union' and 'Joe Hill' are arranged to build momentum, often culminating in climactic finishes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- thought-provoking lyrical themes
- spirited sing-along moments
- wave-like pacing throughout
- immersive storytelling experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1990, The Internationale marked a significant moment in Billy Bragg's career as he transitioned from his earlier work into a more politically charged exploration of labor rights and social justice. This album followed Bragg's critically acclaimed debut, Life's a Riot with Spy vs Spy, establishing him as a voice for the working class during a time of political upheaval in the UK.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Strummer· The Clash· Graham Parker
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Internationale 3:49
- 2 I Dreamed I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night 1:29
- 3 The Marching Song of the Covert Battalions 4:00
- 4 Blake's Jerusalem 2:31
- 5 Nicaragua Nicaraguita 1:08
- 6 The Red Flag 3:13
- 7 My Youngest Son Came Home Today 3:08
- 8 Introduction (live) 0:57
- 9 Help Save the Youth of America (live) 2:36
- 10 Think Again (live) 4:21
- 11 Chile Your Waters Run Red Through Soweto (live) 3:09
- 12 Days Like These (DC remix) 2:40
- 13 To Have and to Have Not (live) 2:47
- 14 There Is Power in a Union 3:27
- 15 Joe Hill 8:23
- 16 This Land Is Your Land 4:35
- 17 Never Cross a Picket Line 3:38
- 18 A Change Is Gonna Come 3:58
- 19 A Miner's Life 3:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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