Released 20 years ago
Volume 1
Billy Bragg · 2006
245 min · 81 tracks · alternative rock
A raw fusion of folk-punk and political commentary, driven by simple melodies and heartfelt lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
A New England — This track epitomizes Bragg's blend of personal storytelling and political critique, encapsulating the longing for change amidst disillusionment.
-
→
Levi Stubbs' Tears — A poignant narrative that intertwines personal loss with broader social issues, showcasing Bragg's skill in merging emotion with activism.
-
→
There Is Power in a Union — An anthem for labor rights that emphasizes collective strength, this track has become synonymous with workers' movements, illustrating Bragg's commitment to social justice.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- acoustic storytelling with sharp wit
- reflective moments for thoughtful listeners
- suitable for long, engaging sessions
- political themes that provoke thought
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek standalone radio hits
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2006, Volume 1 is a compilation album that showcases Billy Bragg's earlier works, including tracks from the 1980s through the mid-90s. At this point in his career, he was celebrated as a prominent voice in political music, having already released several influential albums like 'Workers Playtime' (1988) and 'Don't Try This at Home' (1991). This collection reflects his evolution as an artist committed to social justice and activism.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Strummer· The Clash· Graham Parker
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 The Milkman of Human Kindness 2:49
- 2 To Have and to Have Not 2:33
- 3 Richard 2:51
- 4 A New England 2:14
- 5 The Man in the Iron Mask 2:13
- 6 The Busy Girl Buys Beauty 1:58
- 7 Lovers Town Revisited 1:19
Disc 2
- 1 Strange Things Happen (alternative version) 3:19
- 2 The Cloth (1) 2:50
- 3 Love Lies Here 1:42
- 4 Speedway Hero 2:39
- 5 Loving You Too Long 2:51
- 6 This Guitar Says Sorry (alternative version) 2:14
- 7 Love Gets Dangerous (alternative version) 2:32
- 8 The Cloth (2) 2:47
- 9 The Man in the Iron Mask (alternative version) 2:17
- 10 A13, Trunk Road to the Sea 2:27
- 11 Fear Is Man's Best Friend 2:32
Disc 3
- 1 It Says Here 4:18
- 2 Love Gets Dangerous 2:23
- 3 The Myth of Trust 2:54
- 4 From a Vauxhall Velox 2:31
- 5 The Saturday Boy 3:30
- 6 Island of No Return 3:37
- 7 St. Swithin's Day 3:54
- 8 Like Soldiers Do 2:39
- 9 This Guitar Says Sorry 2:31
- 10 Strange Things Happen 2:38
- 11 A Lover Sings 3:54
Disc 4
- 1 It Must Be a River 2:19
- 2 Won't Talk About It 5:06
- 3 Talking Wag Club Blues 2:59
- 4 You Got the Power 3:10
- 5 The Last Time 2:55
- 6 Back to the Old House 2:53
- 7 A Lover Sings (alternative version) 3:58
- 8 Which Side Are You On? 2:34
- 9 It Says Here (alternative version) 2:36
- 10 Between the Wars 2:30
- 11 The World Turned Upside Down 2:35
Disc 5
- 1 Greetings to the New Brunette 3:31
- 2 Train Train 2:12
- 3 The Marriage 2:31
- 4 Ideology 3:27
- 5 Levi Stubbs' Tears 3:31
- 6 Honey I'm a Big Boy Now 4:07
- 7 There Is Power in a Union 2:48
- 8 Help Save the Youth of America 2:48
- 9 Wishing the Days Away 2:29
- 10 The Passion 2:54
- 11 The Warmest Room 3:57
- 12 The Home Front 4:12
Disc 6
- 1 Sin City 3:34
- 2 Deportees 4:03
- 3 There Is Power in a Union (instrumental) 3:16
- 4 The Tracks of My Tears 2:56
- 5 Wishing the Days Away (alternative version) 2:32
- 6 The Clashing of Ideologies (alternative version) 2:52
- 7 Greetings to the New Brunette (demo) 3:57
- 8 A Nurse's Life Is Full of Woe 2:48
- 9 Only Bad Signs 3:10
- 10 Hold the Fort 1:47
Disc 7
- 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
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.