I Almost Killed You

Billy Bragg · Mr. Love & Justice [2008]

You see a rainbow

I see a dark cloud

You see your new friends

And I see a bad crowd



I almost killed you

Nearly killed you

Almost killed you with my love



I'll put a gun up to my head

If you treat me this way

Is it fake? Is it real?

Are you feeling lucky today?



I almost killed you

Nearly killed you

Almost killed you with my love



Find a gypsy child who wouldn't be christened

You just wouldn't listen

The tune that you dance to is not of my making

I can't countenance the steps that you're taking



I almost killed you

Nearly killed you

Almost killed you

Nearly killed you

I Almost Killed You

Billy Bragg's 'I Almost Killed You' stands as a defining track from his 2008 album *Mr. Love & Justice*, embodying the political punk revival movement that swept the UK during that era. The song utilizes a driving, rhythmic structure characteristic of Bragg's work, blending traditional folk instrumentation with urgent, socially conscious lyrics. It reflects the artist's commitment to addressing contemporary issues through accessible pop-punk melodies, a style he has maintained throughout his prolific discography. The recording captures the energy of the mid-2000s independent music scene, where Bragg continued to champion workers' rights and social justice causes. As a staple of his catalog, the track remains a powerful example of how folk and punk can intersect to deliver a message of solidarity and resistance.