The Roaring Forty
Billy Bragg · 2023
138 min · 40 tracks · alternative rock
Folk-infused alternative rock weaves together poignant storytelling and social commentary over a backdrop of acoustic melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
A New England — This track encapsulates Bragg's ability to combine personal longing with broader social themes, making it an anthem for change.
-
→
Which Side Are You On? — Reinterpreting this classic labor song showcases Bragg’s commitment to workers’ rights, making it particularly resonant in today’s socio-political climate.
-
→
Levi Stubbs’ Tears — The song’s narrative depth and emotional weight exemplify Bragg's storytelling prowess, blending the personal with the political seamlessly.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with peaks
- vibrant anthems for sing-alongs
- sharp wit in social commentary
- for reflective afternoons
- engaging storytelling across tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2023, Billy Bragg released The Roaring Forty, marking his first album in five years since 2018's Bridges Not Walls. This album celebrates four decades of his songwriting while reflecting on themes of social justice and personal introspection, showcasing his enduring relevance in the folk-punk landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Strummer· The Clash· Graham Parker
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards
The chorus shifts to a hopeful yet critical note about societal progress while questioning whether change is truly achievable.
This shift from skepticism to optimism highlights the tension between despair and hope that permeates the album.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 A New England 2:13
- 2 The Milkman of Human Kindness 2:48
- 3 To Have and Have Not 2:32
- 4 The Man in the Iron Mask 2:13
- 5 St Swithin’s Day 3:50
- 6 The Saturday Boy 3:29
- 7 Between the Wars 2:28
- 8 The World Turned Upside Down 2:34
- 9 Which Side Are You On? 2:33
- 10 Levi Stubbs’ Tears 3:31
- 11 Greetings to the New Brunette 3:31
- 12 There Is Power in a Union 2:49
- 13 Help Save the Youth of America 2:49
- 14 She’s Leaving Home 3:01
- 15 She’s Got a New Spell 3:25
- 16 Must I Paint You a Picture 5:31
- 17 Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards 4:35
- 18 The Internationale 3:48
- 19 Tank Park Salute 3:29
- 20 Sexuality 3:48
- 21 Accident Waiting to Happen (Red Star version) 3:49
Disc 2
- 1 Upfield 4:07
- 2 The Boy Done Good 3:21
- 3 Walt Whitman’s Niece 3:51
- 4 Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key 4:05
- 5 My Flying Saucer 1:45
- 6 California Stars (live October / November 1998) 3:57
- 7 England, Half English 2:25
- 8 Some Days I See the Point 4:56
- 9 Take Down the Union Jack (Band version) 3:21
- 10 Old Clash Fan Fight Song 2:33
- 11 I Keep Faith 4:33
- 12 Never Buy the Sun 3:43
- 13 Bugeye Jim 3:14
- 14 No One Knows Nothing Anymore 4:31
- 15 Handyman Blues 3:01
- 16 The L & N Don’t Stop Here Anymore 4:30
- 17 King Tide and the Sunny Day Flood 2:59
- 18 Mid‐Century Modern 5:28
- 19 I Will Be Your Shield 3:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.