Billy Bragg - Levi Stubbs Tears (Official Video)

‘Levi Stubbs Tears’ is the first single released from Bragg's third album Talking with the Taxman about Poetry in 1986. NME ranked the song at number 207 in their list of The 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time in 2014. It’s a typically poignant paean to the power of music in the face of personal adversity beautifully performed here by Billy.
The Million Things That Never Happened' is out now on CD and Digitally. Buy on CD, stream now and pre-order the 12" vinyl LP to get it at the earliest available date BBragg.lnk.to/TMTTNH
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Lyrics:
With the money from her accident
She bought herself a mobile home
So at least she could get some enjoyment
Out of being alone
No one could say that she was left up on the shelf
It's you and me against the World kid she mumbled to herself
When the world falls apart some things stay in place
Levi Stubbs' tears run down his face
She ran away from home on her mother's best coat
She was married before she was even entitled to vote
And her husband was one of those blokes
The sort that only laughs at his own jokes
The sort a war takes away
And when there wasn't a war he left anyway
Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong
Are here to make everything right that's wrong
Holland and Holland and Lamont Dozier too
Are here to make it all okay with you
One dark night he came home from the sea
And put a hole in her body where no hole should be
It hurt her more to see him walking out the door
And though they stitched her back together they left her heart in pieces on the floor
When the world falls apart some things stay in place
She takes off the Four Tops tape and puts it back in its case
When the world falls apart some things stay in place
Levi Stubbs' tears
#BillyBragg #LeviStubbs #TheMillionThingsThatNeverHappened

[@kncisko]

I saw this video once on a telly in 1987, instantly fell in love with it, and then I spent next 6 years trying to find an album with it, which was not an easy task in socialist Yugoslavia. I eventually did find it in Italy in a small record store in Bologna. Now, almost 35 years later, I still love it like the first time I heard it.

[@robotjunkie3764]

What a great story ,thank you xxxxx

[@ErnestTheElephant]

What a great story, my late step dad introduced me to Billy and strengthened my love in punk. I hope you still have the album! What a treat! :)

[@duellingscarguevara]

I saw in on tv in Australia, taped it onto a top loading vcr (the 1/2 hr tape, that came with the recorder, we had just got).

[@kncisko]

@@ErnestTheElephant I do!

[@nickchap]

Good for you. Enjoy pal

[@grahammccready2647]

can we have a moment for just how good billy's playing is.

[@robertrobertson4576]

Spot on. My fave is 'days like these"-people get hurt when free speech is the cover for an opinion held by some,,, who would never date someone with diametrically opposed views. Words matter always!

[@fidget2020]

And about an hour for his song writing…..

[@jasonhorton5464]

he describes himself as a 'average rhythm guitarist'... but I agree with you

[@johnarthur6801]

Oh boy can Billy Bragg play a guitar , acoustic or electric ...so underrated ! Not many out there who can play to lyrics of purpose , Guthrie ? Dylan ? Bragg ... all underrated guitarists who gave space to the lyric

[@nicholasvaughandds2862]

My mum founded and ran what used to be called a battered wives home back in the early 1970's, grew up being sadly aware of what men can do, everything about this song reminds me of the women my mum used to help sadly

[@andypandy8569]

One of the greatest lyrical songs ever

[@paulcallahan3676]

The lyrics are amazing right out of the gate "With the money from her accident. She bought herself a mobile home. So at least she could get some enjoyment. Out of being alone." That opens enough loose ends to write a novel and somehow Billy Bragg ties it together in under 3 minutes.

[@robwosley7314]

I bought 'Talking' as soon as it hit the shops, and this song stunned me, moved me to tears. Here we are, so many years later, and it moves me still.

[@apples091]

This spoke to me as a 15 year old boy growing up in the North East of Ireland in the 80s. I’m 50 now and like to turn the lights out, lie down and let this invade my soul.

[@richarddonovanpapp2587]

Well said

[@eleonoradini2371]

You have no idea what this song meant to me in a small town in Italy when I was 22. It's really amazing how a singer and a song of a distant country could touch my life...

[@loadedorygun]

I know you gotta move on, grow your repertoire, collaborate with folks-but I still cherish these early solo songs the most. Not to flatter you with outrageous praise, but you can acknowledge Dylan’s work with the Band as part of his creative peak…and still recognize that it was those first 3-4 “urban troubadour” records that made him what he was, and what made such a deep impression on music and culture. This is your most impactful work, always will be.

[@DC2Ams]

Agree!

[@dougsmith7083]

The 1st three albums are essential

[@nerom68]

I was lucky enough to get to see him loads in the 80s, pure class x

[@loadedorygun]

@@nerom68 me too! Interviewed him twice.

[@gordononkyo2713]

Yes

[@lfcwilli]

One of the best songs ever written

[@chrisstaats]

Always makes me cry, especially when the trumpet plays.

[@rick_fortune]

You're not alone there, believe me.

[@ruination775]

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE Billy Bragg. Always have, and always will...

[@andrewmcfadyen4506]

If ever a song was made to be turned into a film, it’s this

[@Sean-gu3tq]

What a simple yet complex song …never fails to make the hairs on the back of my head stand up . Thanks Billy for this beautiful song.

[@memorylane9557]

Levi Stubb's would feel proud. The Four Tops were awesome

[@mrrollers]

Brings tears to my eyes every time.

[@travelerx]

I love this song so much. The lyrics are so perfect, such great turns of phrase. “He was one of those blokes that war takes away/when there wasn’t a war, he left anyway”…goosebumps

[@robinlewis-light6874]

The sort that only laughs at his own jokes...

[@seanmadden3620]

OMG Over thirty years ago and it still is as wonderful as ever.

[@bexd9069]

Listening to this repeatedly to try and make myself cry proof before seeing Billy Bragg live this week. Its not working. Over 30 years of listening and it still gets me in the heart.

[@gavinmckenna3166]

You won't be disappointed. Saw him in Belfast last week and he was first class. Sounded magnificent, still relevant and his new songs were spot on.great gig.Hail hail BB

[@penguinuprighter6231]

Fully agree. It is a very accurate mood tester.

[@duduhelenloveskimchi]

Listening to this in New Zealand and crying because tonight Billy was supposed to be performing here - had to be canceled because of covid 😭

[@dosesandmimoses]

It is a tear jerker song for sure

[@ruination775]

Complete Legend. Fantastic Music for Generations to come ❤❤

[@ruination775]

OMG. We liking our own Comments now.... Billy Bragg is the Punk/Alternative Dylan, but better...

[@rachelpeace3032]

Timeless… I loved this as a teenager and love it still.

[@claireevans601]

Did you put it on a oeds

[@paulprac]

I'm playing it at a charity gig for the Blood Bikes charity next week..... not as good as Billy... obviously

[@DaveMoreman]

Absolutely devastating. ❤

[@ba7926]

Love it all, grew up listening to you, 51 and still listening

[@shamrock8123]

RIP Barrett Strong (1941-2023)

[@robertocolanzi]

Exquisitely sad, and timeless.

[@rjjcms1]

Indeed.

[@mach1853]

“a hole in a body where no hole should be“ the song’s sheer directness and raw power slice straight to the heart in a manner few artists can approach…

[@scottmckie7569]

I knew a woman who this happened to.Tears everytime I hear it.

[@DD-ev2dt]

Remember seeing Billy Bragg on legendary Channel 4 music show the TUBE circa 1984 first saw him January 1986 @ Connolly Hall Cork have seen him many times since LEGEND 😎 ...... "Levi Stubbs tears" his tribute to 4 tops legendary singer 👍✌️😎 ........

[@curvyannemarie3691]

Thank you - this song helped me survive my childhood. I'm really sorry that when you played city hall Sheffield in 2008 or so, you opened with The World Turned Upside Down and when you sang you diggers all stand up for glory, stand up now, I didn't 🙈 It was still an amazing gig. And you absolutely saved my life as a teen.

[@dougsmith7083]

Every bit as emotional and powerful as a Four Tops song featuring the lead vocals of the legendary Levi Stubbs himself

[@nickchap]

Thanks for the comment, I'll be listening to that next. I'm young and stupid and don't know real music yet

[@nickchap]

Ive watched Levi 's last performance now. They wheeled him out. He was loving the stage and the appreciation of his work

[@dougsmith7083]

@@nickchap Check this out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJyupGamj7F0hZY Cheers!

[@skeleczar]

I lost my baby a year and a half after I had my human baby. That Billy Bragg song, “When the world falls apart, some things stay in place,” always felt like it was about him. He was my one thing that always stayed in place no matter how bad things got. I miss him so freaking much.

[@stephenwoodroffe5490]

Sending you love.❤

[@skeleczar]

@@stephenwoodroffe5490 , thank you. I just reread this comment and realized it might not be entirely clear that I’m referencing a cat, my baby, my best friend, my soulmate cat, but a cat, and I thought maybe I should specify. I do appreciate your kindness though. ❤️

[@robtucker8128]

Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong Are here to make everything right that's wrong Holland and Holland and Lamont Dozier too Are here to make it all okay with you..... Brilliance

[@kenchambers3655]

See you in Greensburg PA tomorrow night!

[@hugslove9638]

Billy Bragg Still Braggin after all these years ..Kudos to Billy….he is Greatly admired😍

[@deanharris5136]

Still powerful after all these years - great stuff 👏

[@rjjcms1]

Agreed.

[@melissadavis1034]

One of my all time favorites! Hits me deep in the feels! Like many others, brings me back to my youth, and still adore. Thank you, Billy for sharing your gift and voice with us! ❤️

[@nilbog972]

He will be at the Newport Folk Festival this year!

[@chrisshieldsmusic]

Wow! Great to see Dave Woodhead!! He played on my first two records. Love this Billy!

[@dayvyg]

I saw this video when it first came out. I was immediately blown away by the raw power it had. Great lyrics and a passionate performance. This video also sounds like a live recording. Not sure if it is but it sure seems that way.

[@lezzliea]

This song chokes me up every time I hear it 😪

[@fredphoesh]

Stunning song and the zen-like oneness Billy has with his guitar makes this a truly phenomenal moment in music history. Thanks fella.

[@mightyturkeyneck3498]

One of the first numbers I ever learned on my Daddy's guitar.

[@tb5535]

I was the 1000th like! Can't get enough of early Billy Bragg. "The Saturday Boy" taught me the meaning of unrequited.

[@HeavyMetalNerd]

Recently got his 3rd LP on vinyl , to be exactly a weird east german version only entitled "Billy Bragg". It's just bloody awesome. The former owner probably has not listened to it very often. Still sounds great.

[@ossyable]

This is one of those songs that makes you stop what you’re doing. What can you say about Billy Bragg. Every bit as good as Dylan. I also discovered the Dave Stewart/gaskin cover which is every bit as moving

[@Kapellmann69]

Ich liebe diesen Song auch nach so langer Zeit..... wunderbar...

[@jody-annesullivan4547]

The French horn at the end. I love this

[@adrianchamberlain999]

It didn't get much better for Billy - this is wonderful.

[@ianrawlings2546]

Saw him in a few years ago in Perth, Australia, he played this, awesome!

[@jimmyzbike]

Still has that something special. Thanks for sharing

[@loadedorygun]

Hey Billy, I just saw this on a reaction video! I don’t know what your label(s) think of it but PLEASE let those creators use your videos for their reactions. They really bring music to whole new groups and generations. And I love seeing people discover the music I already love, for the first time. It’s todays tape trading-technically illegal but so good for music culture.

[@eugenemorice8545]

Some records grab you and simply say "Listen" .There are some wonderful yet achingly sad lyrics and as an ex ( and desperately average, ) brass player in my youth I love the trumpet at the end...

[@LA8PVCallingTheWorld]

One of those songs of my youth I will never forget....

[@afcollective]

A classic song in my all time top 20

[@fray008]

Seen billy a good few times over the years and just seen him again at rebellion festival still fucking got it 👍 still relevant in this shit world

[@joannsmart9119]

I don’t know nobody could touch that voice in this day and time. Just ASK THE LONLEY❤❤😢

[@ntleaver29]

👍👍 love it !

[@RoyBlumenthal]

Wow!

[@fredh1720]

Brilliant song

[@brightermedia]

Just brilliant

[@BathoryElizabeth-tv4oi]

So many memories ❤❤

[@tamarayoung9861]

Our Billy ❤

[@marianmurphy8476]

Growing into a beautiful young lady. By your Fathers side and guidance. You will be No 1.Singer.

[@rick_fortune]

One of the best songs ever written. End of story.

[@buzby303]

Legend

[@cjknotty]

Loved hearing this live a couple of days ago at Folkestone Leas. Terrific concert!

[@adamfindlay5719]

one of the best.

[@tothelighthouse9843]

Too good. The whole album is an absolute rocket.

[@AntonySowter-gj7mt]

Billy Bragg,excellent.👍😎🎸

[@jacquelinefaulknall8513]

Stark, and perfect story telling.

[@herbieshine1312]

Only just found this channel. All praise the almighty algorithm! I've kind of forgotten what a fine song writer Billy Bragg is. Wonderful upon joyous

[@justinlouismusic]

Fantastic song. Love trying to play it (badly) on my guitar. Remember seeing him in the Olympia theatre about 30 years ago, great gig. Thanks for the music!

[@peterwaldie4478]

Simply put. FUCKING BRILLIANT

[@akoe1968]

never forget this tune. at a billy bragg concert during this song i kissed the love of my life the first time. ;-) the trumpet-solo is so heartbreaking.

[@glendoherty8734]

Still remember a gig in Halifax in early 2000's .Lady beside me told to stop singing she was trying to understand the song. I just smiled and kept singing. Thank you Billy for being someone I'll always sing with and find beautiful stories between the lines.

[@TheMarkmcintyre]

never stop singing

[@jackmiddleton3200]

Stand free Billy

[@johnwingfield7920]

BILLY!

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

I bought a cassette, travel in Canada, in 1987, at a Record Store “greetings to the new brunette” that had “Levi Stubbs tears” on it. It was suggested by the store staff, in Windsor to be “cool” new music. I bought Midnight Oil’ “diesel and dust” two. I was 18 years, and my mind was changed by the social activism of those two albums.

[@berndgruner8510]

Danke

[@knucklhed]

Top five songs of the 80s for mine

[@ruthdixon7807]

for the short time it gets on the track, that fluegelhorn solo adds so much.

[@drstevie]

FAB :)

[@ingovogel7004]

Das waer eine Offenbarung ein Mann eine Gitarre in der DDR. Grandios

[@henrycastle1]

❤️

[@antidepressant11]

I'm new to Billy Bragg. He's got a unique sound. That's for sure. I especially like the muted bass sound.

[@johnhagan-zr4pm]

Yeah, it's poetry The staccato chords, the trumpet at the end

[@penguinuprighter6231]

Top 5 for me. Thanks Billy. Often wondered if that thing on the floor is the end of the line.

[@souljahshocky]

I would imagine it's the track the camera moves about on

[@michaelflint4159]

His early stuff. Shakespeare with fender and barking accent

[@thomasdungl8493]

So much great song, thank you so much for sharing!

[@justinesorel6325]

Kind of proud I had such good taste in music as a teenager. I loved this song when I was 17. It is beautifully melancholy and just perfection.

[@wimbledan]

Great in Guildford on Tuesday Bill

[@jerma953]

🥺

[@samsuzza2008]

“And when there wasn’t a war he left anyway”

[@Tecky_7]

Done in one take

[@gilermosaavedra4411]

Viva la brigadas Internacionales

[@matthewcoyle5277]

I call billy englands patriot because he fought a war for hearts the love of the English he fought to remind people we’re not just machine

[@Lyndanet]

🫀Best 🦾

[@georgekaplan8942]

Billy Brag est au rock engagé ce que Ken Loach est au cinéma indépendant. On y retrouve la même urgence, le même constat désabusé de la société ou les invisibles sont sacrifiés sur l’autel du capitalisme. La conscience politique de Billy Bragg selon ses dires il la doit à Margaret Tatcher… « C’est elle qui a fait de moi un socialiste. Mon éducation politique date de mars 1984 et la grève des mineurs a servi de révélateur. » Musicalement, Billy Bragg c’est aussi et surtout plus de trente années de carrières et des collaborations prestigieuses avec des artistes comme Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Michelle Shocked, Wilco ou encore R.E.M. A l’écoute de Levi Stubbs' Tears et de ses magnifiques paroles, on se rend à l’évidence que tout seul, juste avec sa guitare il assure comme un dingue et qu'il n'a pas besoin d'artifice pour toucher au coeur. Pour être tout à fait juste on mentionnera aussi la prestation de Dave Woodhead à la trompette qui est de toute beauté. Si vous avez encore des doutes, quand un artiste écrit et chante : « Norman Whitfield and Barratt Strong Are here to make right everything that's wrong Holland and Holland and Lamont Dozier too Are here to make it all okay with you » C’est qu’on a obligatoirement affaire à quelqu’un de bien !

[@MrDiscoseeker]

The most beautiful... love you brother Bragg, despite you becoming a despicable failed hero 🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@user-jn9tv5lv7j]

I love this video, but I can't find anything about who shot it and why they chose it shoot it that way. A great and inspiring single take, but with various framings and changes in lighting--somebody put a LOT of work into it.

[@robertleJaxon4667]

just brilliant. is that a trumpet or a flugelhorn for the outro? either way its great.

[@ryanbuckner2405]

So this guy was the original Frank Turner. Nice!