51st State (song)

51st State (song)

"51st State" is a song performed by New Model Army, which appeared on their 1986 album The Ghost of Cain. It protests against what it claimed was the obedience of the United Kingdom under Margaret Thatcher to United States interests. Its lyrics were written by Ashley Cartwright of The Shakes.

The track was released as a single, on EMI and reached number 71 in the UK Singles Chart, spending just two weeks in the listing. It was the band's fourth hit appearance in that chart.

"Heartland" a song written by Matt Johnson of The The is another strong protest against the Americanisation of the UK. Known more by its chorus 'this is the 51st state of the USA' than its actual title, it was released as a single in 1986 but banned by BBC Radio 1 because of its use of the word piss in the lyric 'past the piss-stinking shopping centers in the new side of town'.