Billy Bragg - Levi Stubbs' Tears

[perrystownTV]

though they stiched her back together , they left her heart in pieces on the floor....

[HenryWaltonJonesII]

Russell Crowes favourite song!I know,he's a wanker but he's got great taste in music!!!Genius!!Not Russell,BILLY!!

[dublinpeter1]

billy bragg new england. hope he is enjoying it. his politics stinks. hope hes battered by a gang of muslims and left black and blue. and then go and live next door to them. fucking wanker.

[MrSiddeney]

@dublinpeter1 God forbid some irish people do that to him too.....

[brucebut1]

seen a million guys do this kind of thing,&die on their arses! mr bragg can do it because of his connections,surely!

[csavronsk]

can actually explain me somebody what the song is about? why levi stubbs tears? what has he to do with the song?

[7gazzad]

@csavronsk This is what I was lead to believe, I stand to be corrected. Levi Stubbs was the front man of the Four Tops (Motown band), who sometimes whilst singing shed tears. The lady in Billy's song saw them in concert and that moment was one of the most special moment in her life. Hope I'm right.

[Infecti0nrock]

When the world falls apart, Billy Bragg will still be standing in place. Probably singing the songs we need to hear to put it back together again.

[jayfookinkay]

'when they stitched her back together... they left her heart in pieces on the floor'.... if you consider how old bragg was when he wrote this, and the wonderfully insightful and (female) empathy of the lyrics, i can't understand why he is not more broadly recognised for the utter genius that he clearly is. billy has enriched my life in many ways. god bless him.

[iancanoe1]

Fantastic Lyrics, voice, execution.

[gregdonald74]

Am I the only one who thinks that, politics aside, Billy writes great tunes.

[ppattley]

"Put a hole in her body where no hole should be" is probably one of the most haunting lines i've ever heard in a song.

[MrScottbarker]

@ppattley I was just thinking that exact thing. That part gives me chills everytime I hear it.

[mrwibbles1]

Can someone tell me who the trumpet player is? I have a recording of this song which someone gave me, but it is from a different venue. Billy shouts out the guy's name (Dave I think), but I can't make it out. He also plays on Valentine's Day is Over.

I think his trumpet playing is so soulful. If someone could tell me who is he is, I would truly appreciate it.

Cheers!

[svendemandt]

@mrwibbles1

The trumpet player's name is Dave Woodhead.

[mrwibbles1]

@svendemandt Thanks for taking the time to let me know.

Something about the trumpet. I'm just really appreciating and noticing the trumpet way more these days. Like those coronet players with Calexico, they just blow me away sometimes.

[zeffpoo]

pandacyied,,,moiuumv,,mmjd..ka­zamkkstan,,mmmm..goed,,thenmkz­

[psychoteacher101]

28 dislikes???? How the hell can someone dislike this piece of genius!!!!

[poohkiloo]

This song makes me want to cry... I love it so much <3

[mrwibbles1]

This song gives me goosebumps.

[RickFortune]

Proof that you dont need to have autotune, 400 overdubs and a 5 minute guitar solo to make one of the best songs ever written... (not that 5 minutes of guitar solos arent good sometimes... ;) )

[mkloki66]

hanggggg on ,,,,,,,billl,,,,sh battries rnn out and fishr bitn,,,lv u

[digitaltrain]

''the kind bloke who only laughs at his own jokes''.a line i have used to explain so many men over the years.you still continue to inspire.keep up the good work and thanks for the great music.

[stumbleuk]

What a f~*+~*g finish!!

Dah, dah, dah, Dah dah. OI! :-)))))

Didn't know you couldn't swear on this site, (tried posting this comment twice) but it's the first time i've ever been bothered to.

[BurntBreed]

brill the hoff for president

[Gool349]

fits perfect to the moment right now

[sozz1956]

billy sings from the heart and means every word could you ask any more

[965hplc]

amazing

[deljzc]

It's been 20 years since I went through my idealistic "Billy Bragg" stage.  And I saw him in concert in NYC too. But his songs still ring true not as ideals, but as emotions. There is love, anger, happiness and frustration in many of his songs that still resonates with today's youth, even if Bill's politics don't.

[villafan666]

@deljzc I'm 17 and Billy's politics resonate with me and plenty of the rest of "today's youth"!

[TheRazada]

@villafan666 I am going to second your thesis, I am 19 and Billy's politics still resonate with me.

[purplesparks1]

@deljzc I'm 17 and Billy's politics, integrity and plain, impassioned speech resonates with me and many other members of "today's youth", probably more so for those of us who know his work than his original audience in some cases - simply because we've grown up in a fast-paced, flashing lights world where advertisers have shoveled bullshit down our throats from the moment we could open our mouths. Bragg's character & politics are refreshing because his open attitude is what is so lacking today!

[nosnilor]

Billy's strength is he's a bit self-effacing, not too serious. Makes the message more serious than say the Redskins and their more dogmatic approach.

I'm sure Billy's song "dont but the Sun" will do well.

[MrHicksmooth]

In reference to what this track is about..its about how many various women find solace in Levi Stubbs and motown and music when there worlds fall apart!

[johnnybriggs118]

All you fascists are bound to lose, put up someone who can write a song like Billy Bragg, full of sadness, love and hope. All you fascists are bound to lose.Now i'm going to listen to Saturday Boy because its funny.

[ANTIMACHAVELLI]

A healing song and insightful, who says cockneys are flash, great message kidder, no wonder John Peel said you are from Liverpool, but the docks, kept us in the same mind set, to challenge the norm, Top Man

[thebigdontargue]

I keep wanting to click 'like' again. As gorgeous as the day I first heard it 20-odd years ago.

[GreenPylix]

I heard this song a couple of times 25 years ago on MTV. I never knew who sang it or what the song was called, but the clip and the tune was in my head all these years. Finally I found it. Great song!

[hisohel1]

Nice video

[TheMakemFolksinger]

Brillant great poet of our time, check my Makem songs out, cheers Ther Makem Folk Singer

[Banksy100]

@Kantorek I think it's about an abusive relationship where the woman takes the beatings cos she loves the man despite all he does. And she takes solace in her motown records(Holland/Dozier/Holland is what you'll see in the credits for a lot of Motown songs. It's about loneliness and taking loads of shit cos at the end of it you get some kinda love. But mainly it's about being lonely and believing in love(like it is described in your favourite songs).

[KantorekBaumerB14]

@Banksy100 thank you very much, i always got the references but not the story if you know what i mean :)

[KantorekBaumerB14]

so what exactly is this song about and why is levi stubbs mentioned? I've always loved this song but never really understood its message :(

[rohanhaggart]

Billy Bragg's finest moment

[JosephHallenbeck]

Is there any album with this version?

[dommywaddle]

Few modern pop musicians make such good use of a trumpet.

[DuramaterOZ]

Song resonates with me. Topsy you did the best version...

[kjmacphee]

@GrimlyNorthern ... Faith Brothers, Spear of Destiny, BB, R.E.M., Ramones and U2. My first gig. Still got the dilapidated t-shirt! BB played the opening riff to Smoke on the Water in honour of Knebworth going on up the road.

[RobbieLAMF]

epic

[TheRoisinBan]

SO SO F*%KING GOOD...........

[SkeebWilcox]

Greatest opening line of any rock song ever...

[m30scs69]

the man is a genius (not a tag i'd give lightly)

had the pleasure of his company for a day, one of my greatest days

[littlemoresUK]

one of my favourite songs.

if your into our bill have a listen to 'for the lads' on our channel

ta x

[97North]

Scotland? i'd like more info on the sing/band. Fucking epic.

[rogerdoger1488]

this sucks

[FENNYMAN]

A great songwriter and performer. Nothing else to say....

[thom2805]

kann mir das mal jemand übersetzen?

[arbab44]

wow..one man, his guitar and his poetry..a booming voice..awesome

[LizzyC725]

There is just no one like him , haunting.

[accadoza]

dont make songs like this anymore,remember seeing billy at milton keyenes bowl in 84(i think)u2 unforgettable fire tour.

[nashty31113]

@accadoza should give frank turner a try

[GrimlyNorthern]

@accadoza God I was there! 85, billed as 'The Longest Day' concert. REM, Ramones too - and another band I can't recall...

[killyrboyfriend]

@accadoza Oh my so epic. I envy you and I am happy to hear your report. I am glad your still here with us newer Bragg fans relating stories. Thanks to you!

[hagakure6410]

Best Bragg song. Evah.

[pitty689]

this is music at its best raw simple with meaning

[mupoman]

what did he say at the start?

[TIMOTHYSAARINEN]

@murph1973, You said, "god-awful, untalented tool". Is that anyway to talk about yourself? Time to pull your head out of your arse, or maybe you just like the view.

[FullersDuck]

@TIMOTHYSAARINEN One of the funniest put downs I've heard in a long time.

[MrHicksmooth]

total class

[2porangi]

Its obvious this music doe,s not appeal to the simple folk, I would suggest you people listen to Justin Beiber.

[TheRaulip]

@murph1973 how can you say that, its different in a good way and if you listen to the words its so clever and meaningfull but idiots like you wouldnt understand that

[caseyliveknight]

Billy Bragg is god.

[soadthedude]

I love this song. And love how the Trumpet played just seems to come out of nowhere in the video XD

[nickgaybear]

if i had a tiny amount of billy bragg's integrity, i'd be a better person than i am

[batfrend]

@nickgaybear Same here. I'd feel so much braver....

[danthropomorph]

@murph1973 Don't be so hard on yourself

[hottunes007]

@ peterrabbity you don't need to under stand it ,, ya just listen , and enjoy it !!!

[dvh01]

Let us hope that the trolls find something to love and cherish. You don't need brains or intelligence to love, just heart.

[hernhillrebel]

Unglamourous, uneddifying, boring nonsense. In the age of hilarious fashions, great pop videos Bragg prouduced a pile of almost unintelligible drivel like this. What a terrible waste. To have been one of the lucky generation who had their youth in the 80's and to have wasted it. No wonder he always seems angry.

[hernhillrebel]

Unglamourous, uneddifying, boring nonsense. In the age of hilarious fashions, great pop videos Bragg prouduced a pile of almost unintelligible drivel like this. What a terrible waste. To have been one of the lucky generation who had their youth in the 80's and to have wasted it. No wonder he always seems angry.

[shakypam]

I especially love the daggy clothes (high waisted denim jeans??). Its all about the message innit. And a great message it is.

[EponymousWolf]

He's a truly appalling lefty berk with an ugly mouth.

[judykind]

3 minutes of blissss

[thekingoffunnyfaces]

I was at an Aretha Franklin concert on October 17, 2008, the day that Levi Stubbs died. She led a moment of silence for him in Morristown, New Jersey, the place of my birth, and I was there.

[ivarela]

A true working-class poet. Love the simplicity of this song--it gets me every time...

[Humaneering]

love it from robotruss

[bosszeroboss]

Awesome.

[bradford66]

"When the world falls apart, some things stay in place" is there anyone who cannot relate to that. Brilliant!

[nilsonwheels123]

The slow stare into the camera at 2:25. Camera pull to reveal the brass soloist.

Haunting stuff. Utterly AMAZING! I'd give my left bollock to be able to write a song like this. Such a talented bloke...Oi!!!!!

[Kinjaffa]

@nilsonwheels123 wtf is a bollock?

[rillz07]

@Kinjaffa a testical

[Kinjaffa]

@rillz07 fuck that shit. i wont give up my nads for nothing.

[holkatrol]

zoooppaa ,, no words can justify this masterpiece,,, and i m from I ran.... i fear my xziztns

[77roadhog]

i always like a hearty "oi" at the end of a song...

[prop40]

Still a great song, haven't heard this for so long!

[viewsonic998]

ale odjechana trąbka....uchhhhh

[karlohull]

What a song i loved it that much i created a custom vespa px by the name levi stubbs tears a dedication to the fantastic four tops back in the 80s what an era wish i could go back there long live billy bragg !

[tedtrouble]

fantastic



[accadoza]

great track

[bartboop]

This is one of if not the greatest song of my life!

[allegroboy0]

STUNNING!!!!!! Nuf said.

[LaughatNAZIs]

This man can sing the skin off an orange. And the trumpet is just Sublime.

[RunOutRecords]

Classic clip. We're celebrating the songs of Billy Bragg at the Boogaloo in Highgate on mon 18th Oct. Some great new songwriters play three songs: two of their own and one by the featured artist of the month. Acts include: STEVE WHITE & THE PROTEST FAMILY, THE LUCKY FACE, ACTON BELL, THE SNEEZY T'S, MATTHEW NEEL, MY MATE GEORGE Hosted by NAT THE HAMMER Entry £2 MUSIC STARTS: 8PM THE BOOGLALOO HIGHGATE 312 ARCHWAY ROAD N6 5AT

[RunOutRecords]

Classic clip. We're celebrating the songs of Billy Bragg at the Boogaloo in Highgate on mon 18th Oct. Some great new songwriters play three songs: two of their own and one by the featured artist of the month. Acts include: STEVE WHITE & THE PROTEST FAMILY, THE LUCKY FACE, ACTON BELL, THE SNEEZY T'S, MATTHEW NEEL, MY MATE GEORGE Hosted by NAT THE HAMMER Entry £2 MUSIC STARTS: 8PM THE BOOGLALOO HIGHGATE 312 ARCHWAY ROAD N6 5AT

[HowardZinnForPM]

Not having a trumpet I play the solo on the guitar. Does Billy ever do this? I'd love to see the master....

[TheVladmira]

Billy Bragg is wonderful! I love this song. Ah! I get watery eyed whenever I hear it.

[samlamamma]

What can I say. It's as good as it gets...

[LaughatNAZIs]

Saw BB at the Norwood Town Hall (SA) a few years ago supported by Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes. Great evening. I'll never miss a chance to see/hear him.

[blacksunfish]

One of Billy's best. Elegant DIY power.

[LlamalotStudios]

Just saw Billy three hours ago, he played an amazing set at Bumbershoot, he even took the time out at the end of the show to have a quick chat with me about American soccer. Love you Man!

[gimmeshelter72]

thanks for puttin this up- great raw vid of a top song

[Silshaw]

every days the same, then again there's always alot of conflict, it's how you deal with it that makes it far more interesting....

[nuebe2b]

are you fucking mad or just a member of the english defence shite?

[Kat151]

@savechristianityinuk brother, I totally agree, we should save inanity in the UK. And what a job of it you're doing!

[1924marty]

@savechristianityinuk Lives off her fame? Because she used one of his songs? Complete respect for Kirsty and everything but Bragg's original version of A New England is a million times superior in my opinion. And hates British people? He is British, turdface. The man deserves recognition of his amazing talent on here, not to be called a dog by BNP-loving pricks like you. BOOM.

[seniorclapshishands]

@savechristianityinuk All you fascists are bound to fail. Don't expect an argument, I've said all I want to you know.

This song is perfection by the way

[montyscooter1965]

I saw him in 1987 in Dunedin town hall - awesome!

[Lilycha100]

a true communist!

[fghj153]

saw him live in about the mid '80s, its heartening to know real music is being played.

[Aug181video]

I have been a big fan of Billy Bragg for the past 20 years now!! This tune by BB-Levi Stubbs' Tears was the first Bragg tune I learned to play on my Fender Telecaster!!

[annyid8]

whoever said spine tingling lyrics... nailed it

[samwisegamgeese]

Singing into an empty beer bottle pretending I am Billy Bragg. I did that as a spotty 15 year old. Still do that as a 40 year father of 2. Brilliant remains brilliant. Thanks for the joy you have given Billy!

[perspectivehorizon]

Bloody Brilliant!!!

[fredo51]

death decision

[cattycakes64]

An incredible song-beautiful from its bare bones guitar to its rip your heart out lyrics.

[cattycakes64]

A favourite-an absolutely heart wrenching lyric-stripped down to the basre bone like the song. I know there's two types of people in this world those who love Billy Bragg and the others who I could give less of a shit about. A cracker song.

[TIMOTHYSAARINEN]

Billy Bragg is a fucking God!

[magsieboy]

One of Billys best,i remember listening to the album,Talking with the taxman....,when i was 14 my introduction to music and politics, nice one Billy, spin tingling lyrics

[johnnymarrplayguitar]

Great song. "She was married before she was even entitled to vote"

[ggforeigner]

Happy Fete de la Musique Billy .....

[RickFortune]

This song still sends a shiver up my spine 20 years on. Billy Bragg, you are a lyrical genius. End of story.

[nalafud]

Oh! best reason for watching The Tube in days gone by - Billy Bragg is simply brilliant. Thanks for being brave enough to sing about things that matter in a way we can all get. This track - amazing.

[freerunnist]

That saxaphone solo is incredible. As is the song. That is all.

[mollytodd1]

thank billy.live long and keep on educating us x

[THekIDzzGoTsTyLE]

the man is one of the greats!!!

[SpiderJerusalemic]

Billy Bragg is the man! Hands down one of the greatest lyricists of all time. I put him in the ranks of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan.

[mrnedthomas]

this is one of the greatest songs of all time.. big up billy!

[joshualucas]

can anyone identify the guitar he's using in this clip? i need it.

[brianfarren]

@joshualucas i believe this is the guitar he built himself

[joshualucas]

@brianfarren naw its not. just a few days after i asked i found out its a british guitar called a burns steer.

[CCLAY2PLAY]

Interesting lyrics that blended well with only electrick,trumpet an well rounded vocal.I have to say very Impressed.The first song I've heard Billy perform and it was amazing!!!

[bartonim]

What nostalgia! Billy Bragg is petty special.

[Wellfan82]

Cracking song from a cracking songwriter

[bbdandan]

great song. from japan

[3111310]

tolles lied wenigstens mal musik mit tiefgang in zeiten des 3-minuten-songs der vom rest des musikimperiums vermarktet wird

greeting from germany

[simontheboy]

As a Bragg fan I used to hate this song but as time went on it became my favourite.

[annyid8]

Billy Bragg = genius

[daniboix]

I Love this Song!!! :-)))))

[accadoza]

tune!

[TheRanTanWaltz]

just had a review saying our track "England Isn't Mine!" sounds like Billy Bragg... if you could have a listen on our videos and let us know what you think we would really appreciate it. thanks

[nobby1997]

Priceless recording.

[peterrabbity]

I cannot overstate the greatness of this song....

[diesel691]

@peterrabbity ...i could not have put that better myself....saw this guy live in the mid 80's in melbourne aust. awesome ...great memories!!

[jamieball]

sweet song.. love the guitar

[d310434]

Just been intriduced to Billy, and I'm hooked!

[petemor]

truly brilliant .......

[Wellfan82]

What a song. The album (talking about the taxman about poetry) is amazing and Billy's guitar playing and lyrics are very understated on it. I urge you to purchase it. He's doing things that I wish I could with my own ongs. Bravo Billy! lets see a proper upload of Greetings To The New Brunette