Billy Bragg - “Upfield” (3.76MB mp3 file)
I saw my boy Billy Bragg play another show tonight, and it was an especially interesting one. He shared the stage with Mavis Staples, co-headlining with the gospel legend on a tour put together by their shared label, Anti Records. Because of this setup, the audience was split evenly between Bragg fans and Staple Singers devotees, and it was fun to watch him win over and even inspire the uninitiated.
I watched the faces of the people around me for the duration of his set, and I enjoyed seeing the expressions morph from confusion to acceptance to joy. During his raps in between songs, I saw a nod here and there, but when he got to “Upfield” — explaining the “socialism of the heart” chorus prior to playing the tune as an interpretation of his idea that “socialism is just organized compassion” — it clicked with almost everyone. “I like what he’s saying,” said an older woman behind me to her friend. I turned to Chip and smiled.
Songs That Saved Your Life
don't forget the songs
that made you cry
and the songs that saved your life
yes, you're older now
and you're a clever swine
but they were the only ones who ever stood by you
I'm April. I like music.
I post a song
Twitter.com/Apey
aprilmarie @ gmail
(The mp3 links to these songs are here in the hopes that you will enjoy them and purchase the works of the artists.)
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