I was introduced to Billy's music in Germany when I was in the U.S. Army back in the mid 80s. I even got to see him in a small joint in Nashville TN and he kept giving me stares and smiles as I was the only one there that had ever heard his music and would scream titles of his songs to play. As an American, I thank Billy for his work on putting old lyrics recently found by the "Guthrie" family of Woodie's to music. Only a musician of his caliber could ever do it.
"The temptation to take the precious things we have apart must be resisted..." - is the some of the best relationship advice ever. This album is the sound of man who was in love deep for the first time but then it all turned to sh*t and now he is in in pain. You can hear it in his voice, completely authentic.
I am amazed this song hasn't been covered more. A wee lyric change here & there, or not, if a woman wants to sing it & this is just a perfect song for anyone to sing. Bravo Billy
It's bad timing and me We find a lot of things out this way And there's you A little black cloud in a dress The temptation To take the precious things we have apart To see how they work Must be resisted for they never fit together again If this is rain let it fall on me and drown me If these are tears let them fall Must I paint you a picture About the way that I feel? You know my love for you is strong, girl You know my love for you is real It took a short walk and a talk To change the rules of engagement While you searched frantically for reverse And them claiming That virtue never tested is no virtue at all And so I lost my ignorance And now the bells across the river chime out your name I look across to them again Must I paint you a picture About the way that I feel? You know my love for you is strong, girl You know my love for you is real All your friends said come down It will never fly And on that imperfect day We threw it all away Crisis after crisis With such intensity This would never happen if we lived by the sea Most important decisions in life Are made between two people in bed I found that out at my expense And when I see you You just turn around and walk away like we never met Oh we used to be so brave I dreamt the world stopped turning as we climbed the hill I dreamt impossible dreams that we were lovers still Must I paint you a picture About the way that I feel? You know my love for you is strong, girl You know my love for you is real [Repeat]
"And now the Bells across the river chime out your name! I look to them again!" Even this big macho guy here gets a bit girlie whenever he hears this song.
That line about the most important decisions in life being made by 2 people in bed is so devastating. I'm not even sure it's true, but it just stops you dead to think about it. Awesome song.
my favorite Billy Bragg song. you can find this song on the Walking and Talking movie soundtrack, it's placed in the perfect spot at the end of the movie ;)
loved this song for a long time, think ive listen to it every day for the last 28years never stopped loving it.Its about me not about love lost I just love it.sitting here listening to this track what can i say the perfect song
Someone reccomended me this song as being very appropriate about a piece I'm writing. I have to say that I agree with him wholeheartedly. Painful and winsome all at the same time.
'Most important decisions in life Are made between two people in bed I found that out at my expense And when i see you You just turn around and walk away like we never met Oh we used to be so brave I dreamt the world stopped turning as we climbed the hill I dreamt impossible dreams that we were lovers still' Fantastic lyrics
Good stuff , no picture necssary , hope my spelling 's o.k. best wishes from the peoples' republick of Lancashire , carry on Bill ! Some people eh ? Upwards & forwards ! ! ! Who is the dutchy of Lancashire anyway , ( answers on a post card no text or Emails .) Best wishes to good music . The 5 th wealthiest country , time for sharing it out , hey friends , NHS .
A little black cloud in a dress... (yep been there)...short walk nd a talk..while we searched frantically for reverse..(.nice if we could..!) this would never happen if we lived by the sea...bring it on MArgate (sorry Southend)...
But it's just the power at be have some sick tryst with Windsor. Didn't have to involve me at all I could of just fought the American invasion of my country.
