Comments on: How Time Changes A Song: Billy Bragg’s “A New England”

By: Karl

Karl — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:56:18 +0000

Interesting read, thanks for putting that together.
To me, what all this really shows, how the song survived and attracted all those variations, is what an ostensibly simple but at its core really, really great and timeless song this is, how ingenious a song-writer Bragg is.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:13:45 +0000

Love the original, but I also love the Kirsty MacColl version too… bit harsh to call it cheesy, I think!

By: Pol x

Pol x — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:22:08 +0000

Oh yeah it is a deliberate lift from S&G.

None to respectful.

Love Billy.

If you are going on a mr bragg outing, try the fabulous St Swithins day which could leave a tear in a glass eye, or Greetings to the New Brunette

By: mungley

mungley — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:34:02 +0000

Great article. Next Please try “The Great Leap Forwards” by Billy Bragg. Those lyrics tend to change with each performance.

Actually Billy Bragg makes topical changes to the lyrics of many of his songs. Keeps it fresh.

Yes, he did, Jake. (Or one can only assume that he did. It’s too coincidental not to be the same set of words)

By: Jake Le Master

Jake Le Master — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:17:00 +0000

Does anyone know if he ripped off the opening lyrics from Simon and Garfunkel’s “Leaves That Are Green?”

“I was twenty-one years when I wrote this song.
I’m twenty-two now but I won’t be for long
Time hurries on.
And the leaves that are green turn to brown,
And they wither with the wind,
And they crumble in your hand.”