"I've had songs written during the Falklands war, and during the first Gulf war I got letters from soldiers saying they were listening to these songs, like Island of no return"
- Billy Bragg
About this Quote
Billy Bragg's quote speaks with the power of music to bring people together, even in times of dispute. His tunes, composed during the Falklands War and the first Gulf War, provided comfort and connection for soldiers on the cutting edge. The letters he received from soldiers revealed that his music provided solace and hope in a time of fear and uncertainty. His tune "Island of No Return" was especially meaningful to those soldiers, as it spoke to the yearning for home and the desire to go back to a location of safety. The quote also speaks to the universality of music, as it goes beyond boundaries and brings individuals together, even in times of war. Music can be a powerful tool for recovery and linking individuals, and Billy Bragg's quote is a testimony to that.
"Diplomats are just as essential to starting a war as soldiers are for finishing it... You take diplomacy out of war, and the thing would fall flat in a week"