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: 5

  • Name from PlaceI wonder if he's written any songs about any of the many countries that were subjected to "Anglicisation." Probably not.
  • 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

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Paul Williams

Paul WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

He's a singer and an actor, but as a songwriter Paul helped make Kermit a cultured frog, turned a bank commercial into a huge hit and made love both "exciting and new" and "soft as an easy chair."

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.