Billy Bragg - Tank Park Salute (1991)

[roquefort88888]

Superb.. I had this song on a cassette tape that someone recorded off a John Peel show years ago. It just came back into my head tonight - couldn't even recall the name, but a bit of the lyric + Google + YouTube = Here.

It is even better than I remember.

[diamondsandguns]

I love this song I reminds me of my dad!, he took the hit for me and my brother 22 years in the forces!, and we didn't see him much................August 29th 2011 I became a dad to baby Ethan and I now get the song so much more! its on 2 levels...................abit for the kids and a bit for mum and dad!

[RednBlackFightBack]

Its that time of year again, I think of all the people who became late when I hear this song. It makes me cry too..

[diamondsandguns]

@RednBlackFightBack -FIGHT HARD MY FRIEND!

[ppattley]

It's easy to love his music for Waiting For the Great Leap Forward, but it's his emotional songs that stick with you for all your life. This is a perfect example of that.

[smileatanna]

I bloody love this man, his lyrics, his energy and his passion.

[kcjack50]

A very special song to me and my family, so underated but I like it like that xx

[78RustyNail]

I don't care to admit it, makes me cry every time. 

[MrThechemon]

just love this song so much

[HughDW]

@WorkinMCA I remember sitting in Sheffield City Hall with my dad who had terminal cancer (and died a year later) and a tear forming in my eye when Bragg sang the lyrics "Daddy is it true that we all have to die", knowing what was coming.

[mrwibbles1]

What an amazing song. It just renders you level.

[ladymuck]

Extraordinary how anyone can dislike this... maybe they're thumbs-downing Fuck Off Man?

[XAnimasticX]

this is the song my dad played to grandad yesterday at his funeral. never appreciated this beautiful music until then.

[Jackcreambun]

What's the next song he plays? (song he describes at the end)

[babeeycakes11ily]

this song is amazing

[invisiblebears]

The audience is so sad.

[richardthewriter]

my dad's dying of alzheimer's disease. not sure how long he has left but for now I'm grateful that he's still alive even though he doesn't know me or anyone anymore. I am but my father's son. He raised me right and was the best possible dad.

[cate1967ify]

like isn't strong enough.



[cccustard]

Sublime. Appreciate you father while he is still alive! And then one day....

[johnnybriggs118]

We played this at my dad's funeral, I can't listen to it any more but thankyou Billy.

[rosebaxter1990]

Have been to watch Billy with both of my parents twice now, we love him so much, every time he plays this we're all in floods of tears, and so is everyone around us, one of the most touching songs ever written.

[22sammycat]

@knoskillerr666 xxx ooo x o

[22sammycat]

Read this at my dads funeral - I miss him. I didn't know him. Not really. But damn I wish I did. I really wish he had of let me.

[Annatheprincezz]

I can't listen to this song without crying. I tried, but it's impossible. Bragg has a special place in my heart, because he's the only one who can make me cry for 3 minutes and 28 seconds because of a voice and a guitar.

[nempozpag]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written.

[draemegolan]

so sad

[rippleway123]

A sadder reason for this song now as Billy has just lost his mum. Marie Bragg R.I.P.

[1thess523]

I lost my daddy in 1995, i was 21yrs old and didn't ever think it could happen to me. To all the PARENTS that SMOKE PLEASE STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!! not for yourself but for the sake of your children,grandchildren and wife or husband. I was robbed of a daddy and a grandfather for my children because they need one!! I have great memories with my father as a child but non as a father while he was alive.

[stylishsid]

that face at about 3:00

makes the whole song a bit more real for me <3

[strongpollyannafan]

This song cracks me open like an egg. I lost my father as a 15 year old in 1987.

[mayaevia]

Me too...

[feastmts]

i just read the lyrics in detail and is such a beautiful song, iv haven't saw my dad for 5 years now. This song really just bring home the importance of how special a dad son relationship is .. real eye opener

[leginewol]

We need more Billy Braggs around these days.

Heartfelt words from a great songwriter,thanks Billy.

[thmetfc]

I cant listen to this song if Im driving because i start crying like a kid. Billy has always been able to put in to words what i feel.

[johnbarry1965]

Dedicated to all people who have lost their Father's.John Reginald Franklyn Hughes 14th July 1941 to 3rd July 1985 was mine, a little boy's lifetime away.

[thundercrash415]

I hear ya brother, I'm your age and it still makes me cry

[jfroggett]

@terryhurley1 I can't get through the first few notes...

[ZLUGGO]

Absolutely brilliant song.

[Annatheprincezz]

I believe this is the most beautiful song ever made.

[FALLASLEEPworld]

Which song is he talking about at the end? And what show is this from?

[WorkinMCA]

My Dad died 30 years ago. I saw Billy play about 2 years ago, and before the show, I asked him to sign these lyrics matted along with photos of me and my Dad. He said he was "honored" to do so. That hangs in our home and I'll treasure it always.

[TheBrummiekerr]

a real song see him next week

[TheBrummiekerr]

a real song

[mozroz]

A real tearjerker.

[ZLUGGO]

Billy rules! Don' t forget to listen to his 1977 punk band Riff Raff. Brilliant stuff.

[bartboop]

This is the perfect song!

[TheBrummiekerr]

he is touring soon

[MrsSeychelles]

My dad died last week - it was his funeral yesterday. I've only just discovered this beautiful song but I'm going to treasure it now.

Dads are so precious. I'll never get over losing mine.

[DC2Ams]

I miss my father every day. Today more than others.

[jagtastic1]

@DC2Ams

sometimes I feel it gets harder as the years go by, not easier.

[killyrboyfriend]

:( Sorry to hear about everyone's loss here. What would we do without Mr Bragg eh? Be well.

[Reluctant6]

The older you get the more emotional you become, right?

Not only does this song still make me cry but the comments from people who are emotionally attached to it thriough their own loss makes me cry too.

One of the most powerful songs ever written, this. I feel honoured to been able to listen to it for nearly twenty years.

Thanks so much Billy. Youre old man left a huge legacy through you and this song to us all.

[no1bfmvfan]

billy bragg is a fag hes wants to be be joe strummer and that all folk massive gay slags pieace of balls

[westsaxon]

Thank you Billy

[ckyfan969696]

I love this song. I grew up with my dad mostly out of my life. He's a pretty shitty person. I kind of feel like this song is what I would rather have had.

[TheSinisterSnowman]

channel of coolness - I buried my father today - mine was 87 and had never heard of BB. All I can say is that your Dad sounded like some fella and it looks like you're following in his image. Goodluck to you old son!

[ggforeigner]

THANK YOU BILLY !!!!

[VicMorrow2010]

I played this song EVERYNIGHT with SPACE RACE IS OVER with my NEW BORN daughter in my arms at night. Rocking her to sleep. A few months later, my Father died suddenly. My daughter 2 and a half months old and life full swing, I buried my dad. Kissed my brothers, mother and family and some days later put this song on and cried for hours.

I honour up to you, this tank park salute.

Thank you billy

[josephgioielli]

I'm 41. lot my mon when I was 32, lost my dad when I was 38.

Proud to be but my father's son.

[johnnymarrplayguitar]

Stunningly beautiful, funny that a brash, left- wing bloke from Barking can do something so beautiful. Hats off to you Bill, "The revolution is only a T-shirt away"

[TheJimbo720]

Wow what a beautiful track almost almost brings a tear to the eye. What a legend.

[cainemac]

@TheJimbo720 - almost ? i am a grown man and I cry a tiny bit every time i hear this. i stay away from this song unless I am alone somewhere and in the mood to get pensive..

[Leneff]

Channelofcoolness,bless you mate.

[SimZepp]

At the end does the heckler shout "Fuck off"? How rude, its a wonderful song and im surprised it's not more famous.

Thanks for uploading.

[ali070568]

3.02 - love to know what he's thinking

[archDeluxxe]

love the kid at 3:02. Pure listening.

[seanhaigh]

Billy Bragg national icon,saw him on the Liverpool Pier Head playing a free concert in the 80,s ,raw,beautiful,sad,angry ,class!.This song says it all about him.!!

[Tommyfazz]

@seanhaigh ... I was at that concert Sean- and he slagged off Bruce Springsteen: I started to view him in a different light- then he became a Lib/Dem 'supporter'- Judas!

[odiumimbues]

his ideas on solos are completely true..

thats why cobains solos ruled anyways.

wasted energy and no emotion on those crazy solos.. absolutely musically not even innovative.

[salty6464]

My father died in 1977 when I was just 12, when I first heard this the tears came like a waterfall, they still do, but somehow it makes me think of the happy times we spent together.

It also made me to cherish each day and to never take anyone or anything for granted.

[rseeleyable]

I'll always think of this song as the song that made me want to be a singer/songwriter. Thanks Bill.

[amanda10444]

Yeah and you know it!

[killyrboyfriend]

no clue what was said except masturbation.

[odiumimbues]

@killyrboyfriend

listen again becuz its truth.

[MrDwarfery]

Gr8 song, just learnt to play it on guitar but it doesnt sound as good without the piano. ;|

[tranmer3]

Sublime, pure & simple.

[mike140460]

First heard this on the radio (spookily) a couple of weeks after my dad died. Was during a 5live (UK radio) interview BB did with Simon Mayo so he explained, as much as he will, the significance of it. Was driving and had to pull over until I stopped crying.

MY son, who's fourteen now, loves the song (and all of Billy's stuff) but refuses to listen to it because it makes him cry.

Have an image of my father that, "You were so tall, how could you fall?" brings up every time. Immensely powerful.

[stuart252034]

@mike140460 Wow me too ! I heard the exact same interview with him explaining the song, I had also recently lost my dad and was driving, the floodgates opened and i fell instantly in love with the song.

[Reluctant5]

One of the most evocative songs I have ever heard.

It brought tears to my eyes in 1991 when I was younger and dafter. Its even harder to listen to now that Ive got three young boys of my own,

[channelofcoolness]

I'm fourteen and I lost my dad last year. He was always obsessed with Billy Bragg and whenever I got in his car there would be about 10 of his cds in the glove compartment. He always said that he wanted this to be played at his funeral and it was. I inherited all his cd's he lost the one with this song on about a month before he died. I haven't listened to this for about 10 months but now can't stop.

Daddy, I offer up to you this tribute, I offer up to you this tank park salute. xx

[sirgazza]

I cried when I bought the LP when it first came out and every time I hear this and I'm now 43.

Respect to your Dad.

[78RustyNail]

@channelofcoolness

God bless you XXX

[demiart]

@channelofcoolness Thats a lovely, touching post.  I am sorry for your loss.

[walkerway18]

@channelofcoolness

God bless you, my friend. You are wise beyond your years. Your dad did good.

[Bennob1969]

@channelofcoolness . Losing your father at such a young age is tough. It will affect you and it will change you. However, it sounds like you have a grip of it. I was 35 when i lost my dad. After all, it is correct and proper that our parents go before us. Your dad wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Be good young man and live your life....the old fella would have wanted you to laugh a lot......

[TheAmysjoy2823]

@channelofcoolness lovely tribute that youngster,i'm sure your dad would be very proud of you and having great musical taste to boot.

[m30scs69]

@channelofcoolness your father was a man a great taste obviously, hope you go on to enjoy billy's tunes and they keep you connected with your dad

best wishes

[lol732]

@channelofcoolness Your dad's memories will always be with you! I believe Billy wrote this song with his father in mind! Many grown men are in tears at gigs when Billy sings this, Must I Paint You a picture : THe Essential Billy Bragg has the song on as does the album Don't Try This at Home! Cherish your memories & don't worry about showing your emotions!

[4243513]

Really beautiful lyrics.

[Motoguzzi750]

Means a lot more to you if you have lost your father....

[jackalopin]

@Motoguzzi750

And it scares me.

[antifapunx]

@Motoguzzi750

or never had one :|

[Anothersatellite]

Why are people posting just to say Ricky Gervais linked them to this? Stop it!

[caterpillar703]

my dad sung this AMAZING song to me as i was growing up, along with brickbat, i have them on my iPod because i sleep best when it plays before i sleep, ;'( x

[whonut]

Billy is one of the greats

[callumAC30s]

Lost my Dad nearly two years ago when I was 17. Everything about this song is relevant to me (and many others.)

RIP Dad.x

[Angelina1east]

oh billy, im choking up here

[MRMUG24]

I wanna see the guitar solo!

[OverheardProductions]

Great but why the hell not snap it off at 3:37????

Talk about a mood-breaker.

[fatty1776]

because the british should not be in North Ireland.

[chipster190568]

beautiful. in tears here

[ivarela]

Just saw him tonight in Edmonton. He was brilliant. I'd never heard this song before--tonight it brought me to tears, as it made me think of my dad, who I lost 10 years ago...

[canuckleheadlimey]

Tomorrow night...Victoria, BC........YES!!

[fookyourmum]

I'm a twenty-something lady and have not listened to Billy Bragg until today. I am now in love.

[baggielee67]

Lost my Dad almost 3 years ago - he would have been 70 today, still cracks me up when I listen to this, such a perfect tribute.

[watthead]

RIP Dad. 04.01.1936 - 14.12.2008

[ggforeigner]

one of the best songs ever written...

nothing less.

[pep2315]

and to think that when I was 20 songs like Tank Park Salute or Trust bored me. I´m glad I´m 40 now.

[josephgioielli]

I know what you mean. When I was younger I like his political stuff. But now I'm 40, both of my parents have passed, and it really does change how you hear the music.

I can't play the song anymore. When I get to the "like a pale moon in the sunny sky...."I have to stop. I get too choked up.

Check out Bruce Cockburn's "Pacing the cage." He is much like Bragg. famous for the political stuff, but so much more.

[Geraldon1]

Fuck. I needed that.

[stinkie19]

Wow, this has me crying. I lost my dad just 21 days ago. What a beautiful song.

[Teessider1990]

Excellent lyrics, makes me want to ring my dad every time i hear it.

[melbournesam1]

Easily one of my favourite Billy Bragg songs.

[brobson81]

compare this with the manafactured crap around today. thanks billy.

[Nickubus99]

badtown88 said that My Chemical Romance covered this song..............

[flyonwall81]

i love/hate this song right now..

got the call this afternoon my dad was diagnosed with cancer. before i'd hung up this started going through my head.

[terryhurley1]

I can't get through the whole song without crying.

I'm a 47 year old bloke

[leufious]

I love it.. But almost every time I listen to it I begin to tear up.

[MyTaffie]

@terryhurley1 My dad is not dad yet, but he's elderly, and he means the world to me...my mother died a long time ago, and I was never close to her...I'm very worried about how I will be able to handle my father's death...I dread even thinking about it....this song has always moved me to tears...and when the time comes, it WILL be played at my father's funeral, come hell or high water...

[agr42fontana]

me too - 36 years

[benowa4215]

@terryhurley1 I'm the same mate

[romney73]

@terryhurley1 what, cause of the terrible 'singing'?

[aje2103]

all us big bluff blokes , who never show our feelings , especially towards our dads .. this makes us crumble and weep ! tell him you love him before its too late .... we won't , but we do !

[luckystrike1]

well said.

[stevenello]

reminds me of my dad too r.i.p

[olliebyrd]

such atmosphere! with such a minimal approach.  Billy Bragg is the man!

[justlikethat33]

to be fair you could make a double cd of billy's songs and call them the most unappreciated ballad songs of the past 20 years, or else just change the title of can i paint you a picture

[royalrobbins]

must i paint you...

otherwise, i'm with you a 100%

[badtown88]

beautiful song. My Chemical Romance ripped it off.

[awyren]

no upload of the trust song??? thats a big ball of wrong :)

[gingerbill128]

yea ricky sent me here too :) , although i've liked some off billy bragg songs from years ago.

very moving song

[andyinoregon]

Is this the most under-appreciated ballad of the past 20 years? I saw Billy perform this on one of the late-night talk shows and bought the album the next day. One of the best guitar/keyboard arrangements ever.

[crw90]

anyone get the feeling we are ricky's sheep?

what a great song though

[Nickubus99]

We don't HAVE to click on rickys links. Im often quite stoked when I do though. Love this song. Had not even heard of Billy Bragg up to then, cheers Rick

[walkerandwilliam]

yes

[arbeitsscheuer]

Who the fuck is Ricky?!

[duncan2323]

Fuck OFF.........."one of the great heckles of our time".....what a come back....ledgend

[luckystrike1]

Played this about 20 times, wasn't a fan the first listen. Glad Ricky sent me this way!

[rossadamson]

this is beauty in music form, thanks Gervis

[terryfez]

ricky sent me

[ripsterwoo]

Ricky led me here, thanks Ricky, this was great! :)

[PoppaPapaPop]

Gervais.

[georgepowell72]

Ricky Gervais sent me here!

[thebigbadjohnsmith]

Yeah, cheers Ricky!

[TheUghman]

bragg is a genius... i was crying like a baby and then he left me laughing! great post!

[aliofly]

how could anyone heckle Billy after THAT!!

[komic06]

nice one rick. beautiful song

[cyberlama]

Thank you Ricky.

[luckystrike1]

Thank you Ricky.

[fineexcuses]

Yep, another passed on through Gervais' blog - beautiful song, never heard it before. Actually gave a lump in my throat at the thought that one day, my dad won't be around anymore either.

[inbloom77]

I always loved this song but it's never made me bawl my eyes out until now. I was looking at some old photos of when I was a kid, getting all nostalgic and it's made one hell of a combination.

Can't explain it, it's not sadness and I still see my dad all the time. just an incredible song really. Never heard a live version so cheers gervais and colonslappy!!

[AndyRYoung]

cheers gervais xx

[vangeldercj]

Thanks Ricky Gervais & colonslappy!

[jaday89]

ricky sent me here!

[marrowsbeard]

lol same here good to see gervais has a good taste in music

[Skatch42]

another ricky sendee here

[OnlineFilmReviews]

Ricky sent me here.

[xxanutterxx]

billy bragg sings deep and some how it allways brings out feelings deep inside of you staight out when you may never even know they are there big bragg fan =]

[mukkaspec]

One of my all time killer songs. How does it bring a grown man to tears ?. Brings out feelings you never knew you had. Fabulous !

[Northseafool]

When I first heard this it made me cry as it made me think how it's going to rip me open when my dad dies...the tank park salute thing may be about his dad in the army? as they have a tank park, where they keep the tanks and I have pics of my dad in a parade of the tanks saluting from the turret as they drive past the queen years ago...

[andysc100]

the most beautiful song ive ever heard, makes me cry every time i hear it! Ive been a fan of billy for years and it always makes me think of my grandad.

[bradvolk3]

First time I've heard this... beautiful. Simply amazing.

WORD on that finger tapping shit!

[UKvsUS]

this song reminds me off my friend who passed away for some weeks ago...

[cherylnes]

23rd January 1975. The saddest day of my life.

Miss you Dad.

Sam

[wirethecko]

One of the most wonderful and moving songs I've ever heard - thanks for the genius, Billy.

[baggielee67]

18th December 2006. The saddest day of my life .

Miss you Dad

XXX

[thejoebobaggins]

Amazing song.

Moving performance!

[cladok]

"- Fuck off!

- Thank you. That's very good sir. One of (?) the great heckles of our time."

Haha!

[bmwlegend2000]

Dickhead!