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Billy Bragg

by Nicholas Markos

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about

A song about Billy Bragg, performed in the style of Billy Bragg; it's called "Billy Bragg."
And yeah, I know, "it's a little pitchy, dawg."

This song is a true story, as told to me by BA:

In the late 80s/early 90s, Billy Bragg was playing in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois--a show produced by the university's student-run concert-promotion committee. Per tradition, there was an after-show party at the residence of one of the student committee members. Billy Bragg attended the party, arriving with a bottle of booze in a paper bag, from which he drank. At one point, Billy Bragg lit up a cigarette, and the party's host politely informed him that smoking wasn't allowed inside the house and asked him to finish his cigarette outside on the front porch. Billy Bragg made no move to go outside and continued smoking his cigarette indoors. The host again stated that he didn't allow smoking inside, and asked Billy Bragg to please step outside to smoke his cigarette; again, no move from Billy Bragg. When the host began to reiterate his message, Billy Bragg abruptly turned and extinguished his cigarette on the nearest available surface (a computer keyboard on a nearby desk), then--paper bag/booze bottle in hand--hustled out the front door of the house and ran off down the street into the night, never to rejoin the party.

lyrics

Billy Bragg, Billy Bragg
You’ve got your whiskey in your hand
Billy Bragg, Billy Bragg
Don't come back to Champaign-Urbana

Post-show party, beatnik house
You won't put your ciggie out

Asked you please to take your torch
And light one up out on the porch

Billy Bragg, Billy Bragg
Lighting up and talking slag
Billy Bragg, Billy Bragg
Why won't you put out your fag?

Asked you once, asked you twice
Tried and tried to be nice

Grind the butt out on the keyboard
Run your butt out of the front door

Billy Bragg, Billy Bragg
Your impoliteness makes me gag
Billy Bragg, Billy Bragg
Run away, with your paper bag

Escaped on foot, without a lorry
Didn't stop to say, "I'm sorry"

Billy Bragg, Billy Bragg
The burn Marx ist still there
Billy Bragg, Billy Bragg
Running away through the Champaign air

credits

released July 1, 2015
mastered by Marcos Suiero at MasterDisk in NYC.

Special thanks to BA and Marcos for their encouragement.
Coach, without you, I would not have this song; or many others.

license

all rights reserved

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about

Nicholas Markos image

Nicholas Markos Chicago, Illinois

Nicholas Markos has been a solo opening act for Bob Dylan, Violent Femmes, Melissa Etheridge, et al; scored documentary films; written music for commercials (e.g., Chicago White Sox, Wrigley); worked with members of Journey and REO Speedwagon; been embroiled in a rock-&-roll soap opera with a Factory Records artist and a member of Big Black; and had his ass kicked out of numerous bands. ... more

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