Waiting For the Great Leap Forward

Billy Bragg

Growing up…David Letterman hosted my favorite show called LATE NIGHT. I would program it to record at 11:30 on VHS each night and watch the next day.

I did this for years.

There was a loose, absurd feel to the comedy. Often it felt off the cuff and unscripted. Dave would wander off script and it was his delivery that was funny. HE was funny. Even when the joke bombed. All his banter with Paul.

The other thing I loved was his guests — whether it was Andy Kauffman or Crispen Glover or Chris Elliot or Flunky the Clown. You never knew what was going to happen. None of it ever really felt like press junket material either — it was just a chance for a celebrity to interact with Dave.

And how many great artists had their network television debut on LATE NIGHT? I’m sure there is a list somewhere, but this one is a favorite of mine. Watch 30 year-old Billy Bragg here sing this great song he wrote — backed by the World’s Most Dangerous Band. Somehow Bragg could combine politics and emotion and write songs this good. When people call a song a BANGER — this is the kind of song I personally think of. A song that rouses my spirit and makes me feel something human, emotional. A song with lyrics that make me want to change the world. Watch the performance and the interview after!

Well, here comes the future and you can't run from it
If you've got a blacklist I want to be on it
Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards

It's a mighty long way down rock 'n roll
From Top of the Pops to drawing the dole
Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards

If no one seems to understand
You, start your own revolution and cut out the middleman
Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards

In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
But this is reality so give me some room
Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards

So join the struggle while you may
The Revolution is just a T-shirt away
Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards

Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards
Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards
Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards
Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards