Category: Music & Musicians

While writing the previous post it struck me the 4th of July is independence day in the United States. That’s the day America’s founding fathers declared they were “no longer subject (and subordinate) to” Britain’s George III. Thoughts of America, elections, and independence, made me think “This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.” a lyric from Heartland by The The. First released at an equally febrile time, 1986, Matt Johnson’s words were an indictment of another time the Tories broke Britain. I’d argue they’re as relevant now as they were thirty-eight years ago.

Beneath the old iron bridges, across the Victorian parks
And all the frightened people running home before dark
Past the Saturday morning cinema that lies crumbling to the ground
And the piss-stinking shopping centre in the new side of town
I've come to smell the seasons change, and watch the city as the sun goes down again

Here comes another winter of long shadows and high hopes
Here comes another winter, waitin' for utopia
Waitin' for hell to freeze over

This is the land where nothing changes
The land of red buses and blue-blooded babies
This is the place where pensioners are raped
And their hearts are being cut from the welfare state
Let the poor drink the milk while the rich eat the honey
Let the bums count their blessings while they count their money

So many people can't express what's on their minds
Nobody knows them and nobody ever will
Until their backs are broken and their dreams are stolen
And they can't get what they want, then they're gonna get angry!
Well it ain't written in the papers, but it's written on the walls
The way this country is divided to fall
So the cranes are moving on the skyline
Trying to knock down this town
But the stains on the heartland can never be removed
From this country that's sick, sad, and confused

Here comes another winter of long shadows and high hopes
Here comes another winter, waitin' for utopia
Waitin' for hell to freeze over

The ammunition's been passed and the Lord's been praised
But the wars on the televisions will never be explained
All the bankers gettin' sweaty beneath their white collars
As the pound in our pocket turns into a dollar

This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
This is the 51st state–
Songwriter: Matt Johnson

Heartland lyrics © Complete Music Ltd., John Bettis Music, Figs D Music, Lazarus Limited

Source: Musixmatch