I'm trying to make a case for those people who don't have a sense of belonging that they should have, that there is something really worthwhile in having a sense of belonging, and recasting and looking at our modern history.

Quote by Billy Bragg

Topics: Billy Bragg Quotes

We read our own political content into The Clash, and they accepted it.

We read our own political content into The Clash, and they accepted it.

I've had songs written during the Falklands war, and during the first Gulf war I...

I've had songs written during the Falklands war, and during the first Gulf war I...

An isolationist America is no bloody use to anyone.

An isolationist America is no bloody use to anyone.

My upbringing was very straightforward suburban working class upbringing.

My upbringing was very straightforward suburban working class upbringing.

That taught me one lesson which is that you're naive to believe that bands can...

That taught me one lesson which is that you're naive to believe that bands can...

The most important thing for anyone, I think, is to be engaged, whether you're an...

The most important thing for anyone, I think, is to be engaged, whether you're an...

But, in the end, even a song that's as politically bland as Blowin in the...

But, in the end, even a song that's as politically bland as Blowin in the...

There are quite a few honest songwriters out there writing about relationships and their own...

There are quite a few honest songwriters out there writing about relationships and their own...

Were it not for the Clash, punk would have been just a sneer, a safety...

Were it not for the Clash, punk would have been just a sneer, a safety...

My theory is this; I'm not a political songwriter. I'm an honest songwriter.

My theory is this; I'm not a political songwriter. I'm an honest songwriter.

Being spokesman for a generation is the worst job I ever had.

Being spokesman for a generation is the worst job I ever had.

So, in some ways, the political songs tend to be a bit more like reportage,...

So, in some ways, the political songs tend to be a bit more like reportage,...

All musicians start out with ideals but hanging on to them in the face of...

All musicians start out with ideals but hanging on to them in the face of...

In that sense, I became politicized because the people in the coal mining villages who...

In that sense, I became politicized because the people in the coal mining villages who...

I came into this whole business by going to see Rock Against Racism gigs with...

I came into this whole business by going to see Rock Against Racism gigs with...

By the time I was 19, punk had occurred. It had a completely different cultural...

By the time I was 19, punk had occurred. It had a completely different cultural...

Even with politics, stuff comes around again. Woody Guthrie would recognize America today.

Even with politics, stuff comes around again. Woody Guthrie would recognize America today.

It's not a very popular subject amongst my audience, who are by nature more internationalist,...

It's not a very popular subject amongst my audience, who are by nature more internationalist,...

I'm still batting away on my politics for the Labour Party. I'm much further to...

I'm still batting away on my politics for the Labour Party. I'm much further to...

Most of the people that I went to school with - I went to secondary...

Most of the people that I went to school with - I went to secondary...