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A New England
Kirsty MacColl Lyrics


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I was twenty one years when I wrote this song
I'm twenty two now, but I won't be for long
People ask when will you grow up to be a man
But all the girls I loved at school
Are already pushing prams

I loved you then as I love you still
Tho I put you on a pedestal,
They put you on the pill
I don't feel bad about letting you go
I just feel sad about letting you know

I don't want to change the world
I'm not looking for a new England
I'm just looking for another girl
I don't want to change the world
I'm not looking for a new England
I'm just looking for another girl

I loved the words you wrote to me
But that was bloody yesterday
I can't survive on what you send
Every time you need a friend

I saw two shooting stars last night
I wished on them but they were only satellites
Is it wrong to wish on space hardware
I wish, I wish, I wish you'd care

I don't want to change the world
I'm not looking for a new England
I'm just looking for another girl

Overall Meaning

Kirsty MacColl's song "A New England" features a nostalgic and reflective tone throughout the lyrics. The first verse describes the frustration that many young people experience when being questioned about when they will grow up and become mature adults. The singer reveals that although he is no longer twenty-one years old and is now twenty-two, he still isn't sure when he will feel like a grown-up. He laments that the girls that he fell in love with in school, who he still holds in high regard, are now mothers. This line captures the melancholic sense of time slipping away, a common feeling among young adults.


In the second verse, the singer discusses a former love interest. The lines "I loved you then as I love you still/Tho I put you on a pedestal,/They put you on the pill" suggest that their relationship may have been thwarted by societal pressures or misunderstandings. He then admits that he doesn't feel bad about letting her go, but he does feel sad about letting her know.


Finally, the refrain "I don't want to change the world/I'm not looking for a new England/I'm just looking for another girl" reveals the singer's mindset. He isn't interested in grandiose achievements or sweeping changes, but instead, he wants something simple and attainable. This line conveys a lack of direction or purpose that many young people experience, where they are searching for something, but they aren't entirely sure what it is yet.


Line by Line Meaning

I was twenty one years when I wrote this song
I wrote this song when I was younger and more idealistic


I'm twenty two now, but I won't be for long
I'm getting older and maturing, but still not old enough to be taken seriously as an adult


People ask when will you grow up to be a man
There is societal pressure to grow up and fulfill certain expectations of adulthood


But all the girls I loved at school / Are already pushing prams
The people who I loved and who were my peers are already settled down and raising families, which makes me feel behind or left out


I loved you then as I love you still / Tho I put you on a pedestal, / They put you on the pill / I don't feel bad about letting you go / I just feel sad about letting you know
I still care for you, but the societal expectations and external forces that affected our relationship were too much for us to overcome. I don't regret ending things, but it does make me sad to think about


I don't want to change the world / I'm not looking for a new England / I'm just looking for another girl
I'm not trying to be a revolutionary or change the world. I'm just looking for companionship and love like anyone else


I loved the words you wrote to me / But that was bloody yesterday / I can't survive on what you send / Every time you need a friend
I appreciate the affection you showed me, but I need more than just words to sustain a relationship. I can't be your emotional support whenever you need me and have nothing in return


I saw two shooting stars last night / I wished on them but they were only satellites / Is it wrong to wish on space hardware / I wish, I wish, I wish you'd care
I saw something beautiful and wished for something more, even if it's unrealistic. I wish you would care about me and our relationship like I do




Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Billy Bragg

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@bertie_magoo

2024.....who's still listening to this beautiful song.

@Yorkshire1966

I am.

@2011williamandkate

Yes still listening and the Billy Bragg version

@chrisarcher6972

Me.

@jimkemp2099

Yup

@jonathannorris8992

I’m 60 year old man an still get a tearful every time I watch Kirsty’s videos.
She was what I would have called a β€œpub girl” back in the day.
These were the girls you could have a pint and a laugh with while kind of wishing that perhaps they could be more.
Luckily I married one, I’m a lucky fella but still miss this girl

@nickprica3127

yer when men and woman could have a good time with no predudice

@rampageclover9788

That’s exactly how I was trying to describe her appeal to a friend of mine. Kind of what the Americans would call β€œthe girl next door”.

@tinastaines6536

Love this ❀

@reginaldglover7633

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