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Talking With the Taxman About Poetry

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Talking With the Taxman About Poetry is Billy Bragg's third album and was released in September 1986. Whereas his earlier records consisted almost entirely of himself and a guitar, more musicians play here. John Porter and Kenny Jones produced. Guest appearances come from Kirsty MacColl and Johnny Marr. The title is also that of a poem by Vladimir Mayakovsky, which is printed in the liner notes. The sleeve carries the subtitle The Difficult Third Album.

The songs are political and personal. There Is Power in a Union is based on the song Battle Cry of Freedom. Levi Stubbs' Tears refers to the makers of the Motown hits and to the Four Tops, and became the biggest single. A reviewer at Rolling Stone thought the record as political as The Clash, as clever as Elvis Costello and as melodic as Ray Davies. Ira Robbins spoke of a great leap forward, with subtle accompaniment on the best songs.

Listening

Listening tip. In Levi Stubbs' Tears, listen to how the guitar and the horns support the lyrics without drowning them out.

Track list

CD 1

  1. 1Greetings to the New Brunette3:32Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Train Train2:13Apple Music ↗
  3. 3The Marriage2:32Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Ideology3:28Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Levi Stubbs' Tears3:32Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Honey, I'm a Big Boy Now4:08Apple Music ↗
  7. 7There Is Power in a Union2:49Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Help Save the Youth of America2:49Apple Music ↗
  9. 9Wishing the Days Away2:30Apple Music ↗
  10. 10The Passion2:54Apple Music ↗
  11. 11The Warmest Room3:57Apple Music ↗
  12. 12The Home Front4:12Apple Music ↗

CD 2

  1. 1Sin City3:35Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Deportees4:03Apple Music ↗
  3. 3There Is Power in a Union (Instrumental)3:17Apple Music ↗
  4. 4The Tracks of My Tears2:57Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Wishing the Days Away (Alternative Version)2:33Apple Music ↗
  6. 6The Clashing of Ideologies (Alternative Version)2:52Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Greetings to the New Brunette (Demo)3:57Apple Music ↗
  8. 8A Nurse's Life Is Full of Woe2:49Apple Music ↗
  9. 9Only Bad Signs3:11Apple Music ↗
  10. 10Hold the Fort1:48Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs