Talking With the Taxman About Poetry

Talking with the Taxman About Poetry, released in 1986, represents Billy Bragg's commercial and artistic peak during the mid-80s. While his previous records were strictly solo electric affairs, this album introduced subtle 'difficult third album' ambitions by incorporating guest musicians like Johnny Marr and Kirsty MacColl. Despite the expanded palette, it retains the 'folk punk' ethos, blending the tradition of Woody Guthrie with the energy of The Clash. The album's title is taken from a poem by Vladimir Mayakovsky, signaling Bragg's intent to elevate the status of the protest singer to that of a serious literary figure. It is famously remembered for 'There Is Power in a Union,' which became a definitive anthem for the UK miners' strike and subsequent labor movements. Critically, it is lauded for its 'kitchen sink' lyrical style, capturing the mundane details of British working-class life while tackling global themes of ideology and empathy.