Still so good.

He's only 50? Time hasn't been good to him. On his BBC special recently he looked at least 65.

Kiss me goodnight and say my prayers
Leave the light on at the top of the stairs
Tell me the names of the stars up in the sky
A tree taps on the window pane
That feeling smothers me again
Daddy is it true that we all have to die

The only song of his that didn't get on my nerves for
being so self-righteous was NEW ENGLAND.

God bless ya Billy. I'll be sure to drink a pint for you today.

/if you don't have the song St. Swithin's Day, download it now

I'm going to fileshare his entire catalog. He won't mind. Property is theft, you know.

He's one of my musical idols.

/Rev. Skarekroe: I don't think he would mind

I have a signed T-shirt from about 1985 that I won't let my wife throw out. He always used to come out into the audience after the show for a chat.

We could use a few more musicians like him.

kidsizedcoffin: He's only 50? Time hasn't been good to him.

I was thinking the same thing. He always seemed older to me.

Wow, not sure how all this relates, but there's something going on...

Billy turns 50 today. Shane MacGowan turns 50 on Christmas day. Shane's song Fairytale of New York gets censored by BBC Radio, then un-censored, and the other day was the 7th anniversary of Kristy MacColl, who worked with both of them, was murdered by a Mexican supermarket billionaire's speed boat.

It's time for a pint or two I think.

DjangoStonereaver: The only song of his that didn't get on my nerves for being so self-righteous was NEW ENGLAND.

"A New England."

/pedant
//Also, you're missing "Greetings to the New Brunette." You get to yell out "Shir-LEY!" over and over again.

Ah, Billy. I'm celebrating my love for you with a pint of beer and a new tattoo.

Which side are you on boys?

DjangoStonereaver: The only song of his that didn't get on my nerves for being so self-righteous was NEW ENGLAND.

I don't really like much of his political rantings, but could have the other stuff on repeat all day long. (Levi Stubbs Tears, Valentines Day is Over, Little Time Bomb, etc).

Mermaid Avenue with Billy Bragg and Wilco doing songs Woody Guthrie wrote is outstanding. Do yourself a favor.

whatshisname: He always used to come out into the audience after the show for a chat.

Still does. He's a class act.

"No amount of poetry can mend a broken heart,
But you can put the hoover round if you want to make a start."

DaMacGuy:

Wow, not sure how all this relates, but there's something going on...

Billy turns 50 today. Shane MacGowan turns 50 on Christmas day. Shane's song Fairytale of New York gets censored by BBC Radio, then un-censored, and the other day was the 7th anniversary of Kristy MacColl, who worked with both of them, was murdered by a Mexican supermarket billionaire's speed boat.

It's time for a pint or two three I think.

One for each of them. Right there with you.


Nestea Plunge: I've had relations, with girls from many nations.

Always loved that one. And the goofy video is filled with bonus Kirsty MacColl goodness looking most very beautiful.

The DVD on the making of Mermaid Avenue was pretty interesting. That's a CD someone "borrowed" which I need to replace.

spoonflipper: Mermaid Avenue with Billy Bragg and Wilco doing songs Woody Guthrie wrote is outstanding. Do yourself a favor.

Came here to say the same thing. "Airline to Heaven" FTW, among others.

Yup yup, saw him on tour with Jonathan Richman, where Billy just blew him off the stage(Richman didn't play "Roadrunner" or "Baloonman"-WTF?)...friends who toured ran into him in a hotel pub in England & said he's a great drinkin' buddy

puckhead:

I don't really like much of his political rantings, but could have the other stuff on repeat all day long. (Levi Stubbs Tears, Valentines Day is Over, Little Time Bomb, etc).


"Rantings"??? Disagree with his politics, fine, but I don't recall ever seeing or hearing him "rant."

...making the world safe for capitalism.

Talk about a songwriter who can reach in and grab you by the heart. "Little Time Bomb," "Mother Of The Bride," "The Saturday Boy"...if you've ever been heartbroken, you should get to know Billy Bragg. Happy birthday, and thanks!

Greetings to the old brunette!

Salutations, comrade.

I caught him about a year ago near DC. He puts on a great show. The guy is really kinda funny on stage. He's also written an amazing number of nonpolitical love songs, yet he usually gets typed as a political singer.

/Shir-LEY!

Happy Birthday, Billy!

I love this guy, catchy/thoughtful lyrics and he has a good voice.