"Sexuality" is the ninth track on Billy Bragg's 1991 album, Don't Try This at Home. The song was released as a single which reached No. 27 on the UK charts and No. 2 on the U.S. alternative charts.
| "Sexuality" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Billy Bragg | ||||
| from the album Don't Try This at Home | ||||
| Released | September 17, 1991 | |||
| Genre | Folk rock | |||
| Length | 3:47 | |||
| Label | Elektra | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Billy Bragg, Johnny Marr | |||
| Producer(s) | Grant Showbiz, Johnny Marr | |||
| Billy Bragg singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Sexuality" (Official Video) on YouTube | ||||
"Sexuality" is an anti-homophobia and generally sex-positive song. It was written by Bragg with Johnny Marr, who also plays guitar on the recording. The music video, which was conceived and directed by comedian Phill Jupitus, features Kirsty MacColl singing backing vocals as well as Jupitus himself.[1]
Jupitus has also performed, with Bragg, a parody version of this song named "Bestiality".[2] In November 2021, Bragg created a re-worded version of the song to reflect support for transgender rights.[3]
Critical reception
editUpon its release, David Quantick of NME described "Sexuality" as "the funniest and most determined record of the week" and noted the "straightforward and spunky melody". He added, "Bragg goes on marvellously with an absurd storm of rhymes, football teams and paeans to doing it with people of all sexes."[4]
Personnel
edit- Billy Bragg – vocals
- Johnny Marr – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Cara Tivey – keyboards
- J. F. T. Hood – drums, percussion
- Amanda Vincent – keyboards
- Jody Linscott – percussion
- Kirsty MacColl – backing vocals
- James Eller – bass
Chart positions
edit| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[5] | 27 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[6] | 2 |
References
edit- ^ Duff, Oliver (14 November 2005). "Phill Jupitus: My Life In Media". The Independent. London. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ Phil Jupitus & Billy Bragg – Bestiality @ The Hammersmith Apollo. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11.
- ^ Moore, Sam (12 November 2021). "Billy Bragg changes lyrics to song in support of transgender people". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-07-09. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ Quantick, David (29 June 1991). "Singles". New Musical Express. p. 18.
- ^ "Billy Bragg: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ "Billy Bragg Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 August 2017.