My best friend, who's been in out of mental institutions for decades, always has this song in mind when we meet up. Whenever we get together we sing it loud and proud, word for word, note for note - including Dave Woodhead's trumpet solo.
@@svejkfan2220 He attended a drama course in the late 70's and was besotted by a girl called Kim, the Theatre is less than 3 miles from my home and wrote this masterpiece!!!
Absolutely - beautiful lyrics that anyone with teenage memories, especially lads, can relate to. A Lover Sings, Greetings to the New Brunette and Levi’s Stubbs Tears are on a similar par in my humble opinion. Stunning songs.
This remains one of my favorite songs after all these years. I can still feel that melancholy every time I hear this. I love "unrequited". My other favorite word is "Hiraeth". Such a beautiful song.
It's sad how many misconstrue this song!? It just reminds me of all those(mostly failed) attempts at love when I was in single figures/moving on to the early double digits. So painful but, looking back, so amazingly beautiful ❤️❤️
"The people from your church agree, That it's not much of a career, Trying the handles of parked cars, Whoops there goes another year, Whoops there goes another pint of beer
I'll never forget the first day I met her That September morning was clear and fresh The way she spoke and laughed at my jokes And the way she rubbed herself Against the edge of my desk She became a magic mystery to me And we'd sit together in double History twice a week And some days we'd walk the same way home And it's surprising how quick A little rain can clear the streets We dreamed of her and compared our dreams But that was all that I ever tasted She lied to me with her body you see I lied to myself 'bout the chances I'd wasted The times we were close Were far and few between In the darkness at the dances in the school canteen Did she close her eyes like I did As we held each other tight And la la la la la la la la means I love you She danced with me and I still hold that memory Soft and sweet And I stare up at her window As I walk down her street But I never made the first team, I just made the first team laugh And she never came to the phone She was always in the bath I had to look in the dictionary To find out the meaning of unrequited While she was giving herself for free At a party to which I was never invited I never understood my failings then And I hide my humble hopes now Thinking back she made us want her A girl not old enough to shave her legs
Fanx. My cats are dicks like this. I miss those years, and I own the vinyl and cd of this song, and all the rest of them. Old folks can't find stuff in a hurry. lol
Brilliant. From here on out I'm only listening to artist's who do solo performances, with the exception of an auxiliary French Horn accompaniment. That means I have two songs to listen to...
I absolutely agree that "I never made the first team - I only made the first team laugh" is a brilliant poetic couplet and it made me laugh out loud when I first heard it, but "between Marx and marzipan in the dictionary, there was Mary" from Billy's "The Short Answer" off Workers Paradise is IMO the best single line ever in any song - it makes you think ..and then the joke hits .. a true bard from Barking.
I remember this song struck out a chord from the rest of the album (brewing up) when i was experiencing pretty much the same thing. Wonder what songs the pimply kids of today identify with..
Bill's known for politics and current affairs . . .but *no-one does love songs like Bragg. I *was/still am that Saturday Boy 30 years on . ..married 18yrs, 2 wonderful children . . .but this tune takes me back to being gangly unsure dopey(virginal ) 14y/o.
You can put me on that list as well. I'm still considering getting Unrequited tattooed on my forearm. Billy nailed that feeling. 'In the darkkness at the dances in the school canteen...' perfect.
In the end it took me a dictionary To find out the meaning of unrequited While she was giving herself for free At a party to which I was never invited We’ve all been there Billy.
My best friend, who's been in out of mental institutions for decades, always has this song in mind when we meet up. Whenever we get together we sing it loud and proud, word for word, note for note - including Dave Woodhead's trumpet solo.
French horn I believe, great brass, great song. I hope your friend is well.
Thats nice.
He needs to seriously move on. Great tune though
"I never made the first team, I just made the first team laugh" probably the greatest ever song about first love!
I know. Pretty much every line is perfect.
@@svejkfan2220 He attended a drama course in the late 70's and was besotted by a girl called Kim, the Theatre is less than 3 miles from my home and wrote this masterpiece!!!
He's possibly the most brilliant lyricist I've ever heard on many topics.
unless it isn't
And the genesis of this song happened three miles from where I am now living!!
Nobody does unrequited love and lost love quite like Billy Bragg
The honesty of this song aches as much listening to it now as 30 years ago when I heard it for the first time. Universally true and beautiful.
Heard this when I was 14/15, I'm now 40. Loved it then, love it a bit more now.
im 53 and first heard it in the 80s brought thre cassette and listened to it all of my life
@@edwardcanning5031 Good for you edward
I loved you then and I love you still....cue for another great song
I'm 16 again when I hear this - brilliant take on young life. My love still unrequited !!
Peter Jackson do you miss the times when you were 16? :)
@@aurora-vd3ij still haven't gotten there myself
Billy absolutely NAILED it. I'm getting "Unrequited" tattooed on my forearm. Beautiful, Beautiful song.
Absolutely - beautiful lyrics that anyone with teenage memories, especially lads, can relate to.
A Lover Sings, Greetings to the New Brunette and Levi’s Stubbs Tears are on a similar par in my humble opinion. Stunning songs.
A flugelhorn. Who would have guessed. And what a story-teller! This song is superb.
The greatest song about heartbreak ever recorded
Idinit a little bit bout movin on!
This Song Is Just Amazing, Its A Song You Can Just Play And Play And Play, Which I Have Been Doing For The Last 20 Years!
Dismantling, disturbing, sexy piece of a song from a broken hearted kid who accidentally happens to be a great poet!
This was the first BB song I ever heard. Got it off a mixed tape that a friend of a friend at college made in 1987. Love at first listen.
This remains one of my favorite songs after all these years. I can still feel that melancholy every time I hear this. I love "unrequited". My other favorite word is "Hiraeth". Such a beautiful song.
Been back here, many times.
Again
It is incredible to return to my local lad and my teenage years again. ❤ 😊
Perfect combination of lyrical genius and melancholy melody
Just so cool and so good... a little smile appears on me everytime i listen to this...the trumpet is just an extra big smile....great songwriter x
It's sad how many misconstrue this song!?
It just reminds me of all those(mostly failed) attempts at love when I was in single figures/moving on to the early double digits.
So painful but, looking back, so amazingly beautiful ❤️❤️
But I never made the first team,
I just made the first team laugh
In my opinion still one of the most genius lines ever in a song ....
“a girl not old enough to shave her legs” comes close but how can you choose?. Never has a song been so quotable. Just brilliant.
"Though they stitched her back together, they left her heart in pieces on the floor" will take some beating
"The people from your church agree, That it's not much of a career,
Trying the handles of parked cars,
Whoops there goes another year,
Whoops there goes another pint of beer
Greatest love song ever.
Bash 'em out Bragg's beautiful pean to long lost love.
Spot on take on first love. Simply brilliant.
best song ever
Billy tells OUR story
1993b first hearrd this,. thanks chris close.
a love song for lovely people
My 2nd fav song in the whole world, only beaten by Waiting for the great leap forwards!
That trumpet at 1:34 just kills me.
Is it too much to have a real trumpet?
Between 1971 & 1976,I was Diane Shore's Saturday Boy.
It's just I never had the bottle to ask her for a date.
Ach Shame...as they say in 🇿🇦!.
I'm certain Diane never 'gave herself for free'!.
Great song
Anyone remember learn to play in a day the Billy Bragg way? With pull out record!
yep
Here it is:
ruclips.net/video/88Yo9G_mmCY/видео.html
Thank you
My college roommate had it and played it for me.
pure unrequited love!
This song is me 14,15. Gets me every time. Although I'm happily married, I still think about the girl Billy is singing about. Probably my first love.
I'll never forget the first day I met her
That September morning was clear and fresh
The way she spoke and laughed at my jokes
And the way she rubbed herself
Against the edge of my desk
She became a magic mystery to me
And we'd sit together in double
History twice a week
And some days we'd walk the same way home
And it's surprising how quick
A little rain can clear the streets
We dreamed of her and compared our dreams
But that was all that I ever tasted
She lied to me with her body you see
I lied to myself 'bout the chances I'd wasted
The times we were close
Were far and few between
In the darkness at the dances in the school canteen
Did she close her eyes like I did
As we held each other tight
And la la la la la la la la means I love you
She danced with me and I still hold that memory
Soft and sweet
And I stare up at her window
As I walk down her street
But I never made the first team,
I just made the first team laugh
And she never came to the phone
She was always in the bath
I had to look in the dictionary
To find out the meaning of unrequited
While she was giving herself for free
At a party to which I was never invited
I never understood my failings then
And I hide my humble hopes now
Thinking back she made us want her
A girl not old enough to shave her legs
Beautiful lyrics.
Wikipedia page on Unrequited love bring me here
And this song now defines me
This is so me
I feel for you buddy we've all been there. You should only let the things that you do define you, keep your chin up.
My favorite Love Song!
ah Lord Have Mercy...the memories
No every word, awesome.
This is beautiful truly 🙏
Fanx. My cats are dicks like this. I miss those years, and I own the vinyl and cd of this song, and all the rest of them. Old folks can't find stuff in a hurry. lol
Still waiting
It's the last line that's the killer line for me.
quality tune
And lalalalalalalala...
Legend 👋👋
There has never been a better song written about love. Fight me.
Why would I fight you when you are so obviously right? :D
Didnt Benneto ?
He's a Poet and a Storyteller
Brilliant. From here on out I'm only listening to artist's who do solo performances, with the exception of an auxiliary French Horn accompaniment.
That means I have two songs to listen to...
what's the other one? bar this
Kate Bush has a few jaw droppingly good songs with just herself and her piano. Maybe give her a go.
the goddamn Trumpet.
I don't think there's a better description of 90's male loneliness than this song.
Or 1980s.
I disagree, this song still maintains relevance to this day
It’s not relevant to decade, it’s eternal. Billy fan since 1985, absolute legend. I’m 64 now, life is very interesting.
"I never understood my failings then". Wow.
I absolutely agree that "I never made the first team - I only made the first team laugh" is a brilliant poetic couplet and it made me laugh out loud when I first heard it, but "between Marx and marzipan in the dictionary, there was Mary" from Billy's "The Short Answer" off Workers Paradise is IMO the best single line ever in any song - it makes you think ..and then the joke hits .. a true bard from Barking.
I remember this song struck out a chord from the rest of the album (brewing up) when i was experiencing pretty much the same thing. Wonder what songs the pimply kids of today identify with..
There is no love like first love....
Catherine Bird where are you now, I was your Saturday boy.
eddie osgood Awesome... Jennifer Watkins... Where are you now. I was your Saturday boy.
Catherine still waiting lalalalala means i ..........
still waiting
still........................
still........
Bill's known for politics and current affairs . . .but *no-one does love songs like Bragg.
I *was/still am that Saturday Boy 30 years on . ..married 18yrs, 2 wonderful children . . .but this tune takes me back to being gangly unsure dopey(virginal ) 14y/o.
Means I love you
Excelente
Don't agree with his politics but this is poetry.
Fucking sublime. And so true.
😊😊😊😊😊
my life story
My unrequited one was Susan Jagger. I had about as much chance as a teacup in a storm!
7,088 views? Are you fucking joking?
still.......
do people even do double history any more ?
Double and triple anything in a really shit school yes. That’s coming from an outgoing teacher.
no
Not only me a Saturday boy ! phew
'she always came to the phone, she was never in the bath' (my story is always worse)
wasn't this on Talking with the Taxman?
I know it so well it must be....... but am asking thanks
catherine where are you.
Sorry it is actually my life's story...
You can put me on that list as well. I'm still considering getting Unrequited tattooed on my forearm. Billy nailed that feeling. 'In the darkkness at the dances in the school canteen...' perfect.
Happy to read there are at least 3 unrequited persons still living on this planet. lalalalalalalalala.... means I love you!
Eric Zwarts Can't be Eric. It's mine! :-)
a template for levi stubbs
1:34
likewise
In the end it took me a dictionary to find out the meaning of unrequited....
In the end it took me a dictionary
To find out the meaning of unrequited
While she was giving herself for free
At a party to which I was never invited
We’ve all been there Billy.
gonna crash your party....we have come for your children.
A girl not old enough to shave her legs............. n have her belly button pierced
What a shame Billy decided socialism is best moved forward by living as far from the working class as could.
I love this song but this is disgusting - 'while she was giving her self for free!'
Teenage angst. Is there a better interpretation? Doubted.
Been there.
0:53