Heartland

Album: Infected (1986)
Charted: 29
Play Video
  • 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 center 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 the 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 the 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 being passed and the lords 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.
    ... Writer/s: MATT JOHNSON
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Karl from HereBut it's okay back then in the 1980's that the Soviet Union wanted to expand their empire like in Afghanistan for example. Everyone's allowed to do wrong except for America right?
  • Müllmannlive from Hamburg, GermanyWe are a group of enthusiastic THE THE fans.
    If you're also a fan, then join us and exchange your ideas.
    Perhaps a growing fan base is a small step to experience THE THE "live on stage" someday!
  • Paul from Montrose, ScotlandThis song was the future and why don't we ever here it anymore???

    Suggestions welcome
  • Dave from Cardiff, WalesThe controversial video for the song was filmed with Matt Johnson singing into a mike in the London sewer system with images flashing up on a video wall behind him
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.