A New England
Billy Bragg Lyrics
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I'm twenty two now, but I won't be for long
People ask me "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
Though 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
I don't want to change the world
I'm not looking for a new England
I'm just looking for another girl
Looking for another girl
Looking for another girl
Looking for another girl
The lyrics to Billy Bragg's "A New England" appear autobiographical, with Bragg reflecting back on his younger self and old relationships. The opening lines set the scene for the song, with Bragg stating that he wrote the song when he was 21 and he's now 22, but won't be for long, indicating that he's aware of how quickly time is passing. The lyric "People ask me 'When will you grow up to be a man?'" shows Bragg's awareness of societal expectations to become an adult but also his defiance toward them. He then reminisces on the past, saying that all the girls he loved in school are now pushing prams, highlighting that he's moved on from the past and the people who were a part of it.
Bragg then addresses an old flame, saying he loved her then as he does now, but he acknowledges that they are no longer together. He mentions that she was put on the pill, a possible reference to how society encourages women to prioritize contraception, furthering the theme of societal expectations. The line "I'm just feel sad about letting you know" suggests that Bragg might be uncertain about how his ex will respond to hearing about his love for her.
In the final verse, Bragg mentions that he has received a letter from the person he is addressing, which he can't survive on, indicating that he needs more from her than just words on a page. The shooting stars he saw were only satellites, mentioning that even the things we wish upon might not be what they seem. The final verse ends with Bragg saying that he's not looking to change the world or find a "new England" (a metaphor for a fresh start) but is simply looking for another girl, continuing the theme of moving on from past relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I was twenty one years when I wrote this song
When I wrote this song, I was 21 years old
I'm twenty two now, but I won't be for long
I am currently 22 years old, but turning 23 soon
People ask me 'When will you grow up to be a man?'
Others often question when I will act like an adult
But all the girls I loved at school Are already pushing prams
The girls I was fond of in school are already mothers
I loved you then as I love you still
My feelings for you have remained constant over time
Though I put you on a pedestal They put you on the pill
I held you in high regard while society put pressure on you to use birth control
I don't feel bad about letting you go I just feel sad about letting you know
I don't regret our separation, but I do feel a sense of sadness in regards to informing you about it
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 have grand ambitions of changing the world, but I am seeking the company of another woman
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 appreciated your past messages to me, but I cannot sustain myself on them and only hearing from you when you require emotional support
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 witnessed two shooting stars, but they turned out to be artificial satellites; I reflect on whether it is foolish to have hope for something unrealistic, and express my desire for you to show that you have empathy for my emotions
Looking for another girl Looking for another girl Looking for another girl
I am in pursuit of finding a new romantic partner
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Billy Bragg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pips
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
Though 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
It's 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
I don't want to change the world
I'm not looking for a new England
I'm just looking for another girl
Looking for another girl
Looking for another girl
Looking for another girl...
D. Palmieri
I was 21 years when I wrote this song
I'm 22 now but I won't be for long
People ask me "when will you grow up to be a man?"
But all the girls I loved in school are already pushing prams
I loved you then as I love you still
Though 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 [x2]
I loved the words you wrote to me
But that was bloody yesterday
I can't survive on what you send
Everytime you need a friend
I saw two shooting stars last night
I wished on them
But they were only satallites
And 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 [x2]
Looking for another girl...
KingdomEnfilade
I was walking to work in central London today. I turned a corner and there was Billy Bragg, playing his guitar in the street. Tourists walked past, bemused, not knowing who he was, but the actual Londoners, they all stopped and watched. There's not many people who can do that. It made my day, he's one of my heroes.
Diana Willemijn Helmich
'I saw two shooting stars last night, I wished on them but they were only satellites, it's wrong to wish on space hardware' might be one of my favourite pieces of lyrics ever.
Walter White
Agreed
Shelley Hartling
100%
Igeeig
same here
The Coyote Speaks
Same
Jonathan McIntyre
@Walter White qqqq
Tim
Billy Bragg is a great folk singer and lyricist. A national treasure.
bum_tickle
I was laying in bed last night and suddenly this song popped into my head after 25 years. I've been singing it all morning ( you know when it's fixed in your head) then finally had to download it. Thanks Billy Bragg for making the 80's bearable. Best wishes from Brizzie, Oz. Please come to Brisbane, You've got lots of fans here. Pls.
Mark Bailey [Cimarron-Memorial HS]
sad that you let 25 years go by.