Billy Bragg has updated the lyrics to his 1991 single “Sexuality” to allow the message of respect to resonate with another generation of listeners and support trans rights, as opposed to the songs original meaning in support of homosexuality. Currently, on tour in the UK, punters have begun to notice a slight change in the lyrics to the single, initially proclaiming “Just because you’re gay, I won’t turn you away. If you stick around, I’m sure that we can find some common ground”. Bragg has decided to update the song so now he sings, “Just because you’re they, I won’t turn you away. If you stick around, I’m sure that we can find the right pronoun”. Watch some fan footage from a show on the current UK tour below.
Bragg went on to explain the meaning behind his adjustments on Twitter, “Times changed. Anyone born since the song was released would wonder why it’s a big deal to find common ground with a gay man. The front line now is trans rights.”. The song has quite obviously always been about highlighting mutual respect amongst everybody. Stating that everyone should be entitled to owning their own sexuality, no matter in what form. When queried on what trans right Bragg was actually in support of, he simply replied, “[the right to] exist.”.
Sexuality is a song about learning to respect difference. In 1991, the LG community were marginalised by AIDS and Section 28. Now that we have gay marriage etc the song needs updating and today, it’s the trans community who are marginalised and need our allyship
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) November 11, 2021
Bragg doubled down when fans began to push back on his decisions to change the lyrics. Stating that pronouns are, “a simple way of showing respect. Nothing compels you to use them, just as nothing compels you not to call a person of Pakistani heritage the P word.”.
As well as these changes, “Sexuality (2021)” also has a new moment dedicated to former Smiths frontman Morrisey. After he was condemned by Bragg in 2019 in an interview with NME, for spreading far-right ideals. Bragg quips, “Don’t threaten me with Morrissey, whatever happened to that guy?”. He previously stated that he no longer enjoys listening to Morrisey’s solo albums, but this isn’t much of a burden because, as he told NME, “I wasn’t much of a fan of those anyway.”
All of the information we have on Bragg’s lyric changes have come to light from his current tour of the UK. See below the remaining dates. Order tickets here.
16/11/2021 – G Live – Guildford
18/11 – Corn Exchange – Cambridge
19/11 – Rock City – Nottingham
20/11 – Albert Hall – Manchester
21/11 – City Hall – Sheffield
23/11 – Dome – Brighton
25/11 – Cliffs Pavilion – Southend-On-Sea
26/11 – Leas Cliff Hall – Folkestone
27/11 – Roundhouse – London
