Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards

Billy Bragg

About Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards

"Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards" is a 1988 song by English singer/songwriter Billy Bragg. The song was released as an advance single from the album Workers Playtime on August 22, 1988. Bragg was accompanied on the original recording by Martin Belmont, Bruce Thomas, Cara Tivey, Mickey Waller and Bragg's long-standing roadie Wiggy, with backing vocals by Michelle Shocked and Phill Jupitus among others. The recording was produced by Joe Boyd with Wiggy. The single had two songs on the b-side: a re-recording of Bragg's "Wishing the Days Away" featuring Tivey, and a cover of the Flying Burrito Brothers' "Sin City" featuring Hank Wangford, both produced by John Porter and Kenny Jones. Written after the disillusionment of the 1987 general election, Bragg describes "Great Leap Forwards" as "my way of owning up to the ambiguities of being a political pop star while stating clearly that I still believed in Sam Cooke's promise that a change was gonna come". According to Bragg's biographer Andrew Collins, the song "pulls off the difficult trick of boiling down the whole pop-and-politics-don't-mix argument", one that Bragg, as a left-wing singer/songwriter would often have had. The first two verses mention the "Camelot" of the John F. Kennedy administration, post-revolution Cuba, the Soviet Union and Robert Oppenheimer. The "Cheese Pavilion" where Bragg is interviewed by a fanzine writer in the third and fourth verses is at the Royal Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet, where Bragg had played on 1 February 1987. The remainder of the song describes the day-to-day business of political activism: fundraising, distributing pamphlets, risking unemployment, culminating in the tongue-in-cheek rallying cry of "the revolution is just a t-shirt away!" Collins credits the song as "featuring some of Billy's most memorable lines". The single reached number 52 on the UK singles charts on 10 September 1988. Go! Discs pressed a "DJ edit" promo with the first verse removed without Bragg's prior knowledge and to his subsequent displeasure. As well as the UK release from Go! Discs there were releases in Australia and New Zealand on Liberation Records and in Germany on Line Records. Elektra Records in the USA produced a 12" promo. more »

Year:: 1988
: 4:32
: 571 Views
Playlists:: #1

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Billy Bragg

Stephen William Bragg (born 20 December 1957) — known as Billy Bragg — is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes. His music career has lasted more than thirty years. more »

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Genre »

Rock

Style »

Folk Rock, Indie Rock

10 facts about this song

Songwriter "Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards" was penned by Billy Bragg himself, an English singer-songwriter known for his blend of folk music and punk rock.
Album Appearance The song is the final track on Billy Bragg's 1998 album "Worker's Playtime", which is often considered his most successful record.
Political Tone The song showcases Billy Bragg's political activism, containing lines that critique the politics, culture, and media landscape of Britain during that time.
Song Length Unlike many folk songs, "Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards" has a lengthy running time of nearly 8 minutes.
Music Style In contrast to Bragg's earlier works, which often featured only his voice and guitar, this song introduces more complex instrumentation, including piano and horn sections.
Song's Title The title "Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards" is a reference to China's Great Leap Forward movement from 1958-1962. The Great Leap Forward was an economic and social campaign led by the Communist Party of China, intended to transform the country from an agrarian economy into a socialist society.
Lyrics Interpretation The lyrics "So join the struggle while you may/ The Revolution is just a t-shirt away" was Bragg's sardonic commentary on how social change had been co-opted and commercialized in the late 1980s.
Cover Versions It was covered by several artists, including Birdy and Peter, Paul and Mary. The song is often reinterpreted to fit the political climate of the time of the cover.
Live Performances Billy Bragg often alters the lyrics during live performances to reflect current events, maintaining the song's relevance and reflecting his ongoing political activism.
Music Video The music video for "Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards" was recorded at a live performance, showcasing Bragg's energetic style and ability to engage the audience.

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