51st State
New Model Army Lyrics


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Look out of your windows, watch the skies
Read all the instructions with bright blue eyes
We're W.A.S.Ps, proud American sons
We know how to clean our teeth and how to strip down a gun

We're the 51st state of America

Our star-spangled Union Jack flutters so proud
Over the dancing heads of the merry patriotic crowd
Tip your hat to the Yankee conqueror
We've got no reds under the bed with guns under our pillows

We're the 51st state of America

Here in the land of opportunity, watch us revel in our liberty
You can say what you like but it doesn't change anything
Because the corridors of power are an ocean away





We're the 51st state of America

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "51st State" by New Model Army offer a commentary on America's global influence and the globalized American culture. The first two lines encourage the listener to be vigilant and aware, as there is a sense of subjugation beneath the land of the free. The reference to W.A.S.Ps indicates the privileged status of American society, with the acronym standing for "White, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant". The pride of this identity then becomes apparent, as the lyrics detail the skills and knowledge of the "American sons". However, the song also suggests violence is inherent in this patriotism, with the reference to stripping guns pointing to the country's love affair with firearms.


The chorus sets the scene, as the Union Jack waving in America becomes a symbol for how America has secured its place as the master of Britain's former colonies. The reference to the "merry patriotic crowd" shows how American culture has spread beyond its borders and has been accepted by other countries. However, there is a note of resignation in the lines "tip your hat to the Yankee conqueror", as if there is a begrudging acceptance of America's dominance. The final lines emphasize the threat of opposition while celebrating the security offered by America, painting a picture of a paranoia-fueled society that values protection over individual rights.


Line by Line Meaning

Look out of your windows, watch the skies
Be alert and vigilant, keeping an eye out for any dangers or threats.


Read all the instructions with bright blue eyes
Pay careful attention and follow instructions closely, with great focus and clarity.


We're W.A.S.Ps, proud American sons
We are white Anglo-Saxon Protestants, and we take pride in our identity as Americans.


We know how to clean our teeth and how to strip down a gun
We have the skills and knowledge to take care of both our personal hygiene and our weapons.


We're the 51st state of America
We, as a nation, have become so closely aligned with the United States that we are effectively a part of it.


Our star-spangled Union Jack flutters so proud
Our flag, which combines elements of both the American and British flags, stands as a symbol of our allegiance to both countries.


Over the dancing heads of the merry patriotic crowd
Above the celebratory and enthusiastic group of people who share our sense of pride and loyalty towards America and Britain.


Tip your hat to the Yankee conqueror
Respect and acknowledge the power and influence of the United States, which has effectively taken over our country.


We've got no reds under the bed with guns under our pillows
Unlike some other countries, we have no hidden or secret Communist sympathizers planning to overthrow the government - but we are armed and ready to defend ourselves.


Here in the land of opportunity, watch us revel in our liberty
As citizens of America's 51st state, we take great pleasure in the freedoms and opportunities that this country offers us.


You can say what you like but it doesn't change anything
Regardless of any criticism or objections levelled against us, our situation as America's 51st state remains unchanged and unchallenged.


Because the corridors of power are an ocean away
Ultimately, the true source of control and authority over our country lies far beyond our borders, in the halls of power of the United States government.


We're the 51st state of America
As a concluding reminder, we reiterate our position as a de facto state of the United States of America.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ASHLEY CARTWRIGHT, JASON HARRIS, JASON JAMES HARRIS, JUSTIN SULLIVAN, JUSTIN EDWARD SULLIVAN, ROBERT HEATON, ROBERT CHARLES HEATON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@pestorer

Look out of your windows, watch the skies
Read all the instructions with bright blue eyes
We're W.A.S.Ps, proud American sons
We know how to clean our teeth and how to strip down a gun
We're the 51st state of America
Our star-spangled Union Jack flutters so proud
Over the dancing heads of the merry patriotic crowd
Tip your hat to the Yankee conqueror
We've got no reds under the bed with guns under our pillows
We're the 51st state of America
Here in the land of opportunity, watch us revel in our liberty
You can say what you like but it doesn't change anything
Because the corridors of power are an ocean away
We're the 51st state of America



@sonkeclaussen816

Ich denk mir so, warum wird dieser SONG , ein gewisses Statement ,
oder Anders, ein Durchstarter,
nicht auf der aktuellen Tournee in
Deutschland gespielt ???
Ist das nicht AnEcken wollen , oder gab es Ansagen ???
Ich Frage nur , ich richte nicht .
Ich mag diese Band und ihre
Lieder . Und ich habe mich über das
Konzert vor Kurzem gefreut ,
obwohl ich erwartet habe , das Sie
gerade diesen Song spielen!
Letztendlich ist es egal.
Es bestätigt sich damit ,
das wir in Europa nicht einmal der
51 Staat of Amerika sind .
Wir sind nicht einmal das!!!
I think to myself, why is this SONG, a certain statement,
or other view, a go-getter,
not on the current tour in
Germany played ???
Is not want bumps , or gave eIch denk mir so, warum wird dieser SONG , ein gewisses Statement ,
oder Anders, ein Durchstarter,
nicht auf der aktuellen Tournee in
Deutschland gespielt ???
Ist das nicht AnEcken wollen , oder gab es Ansagen ???
Ich Frage nur , ich richte nicht .
Ich mag diese Band und ihre
Lieder . Und ich habe mich über das
Konzert vor Kurzem gefreut ,
obwohl ich erwartet habe , das Sie
gerade diesen Song spielen!
Letztendlich ist es egal.
Es bestätigt sich damit ,
das wir in Europa nicht einmal der
51 Staat of Amerika sind .
Wir sind nicht einmal das!!!
Ich denke mir so, warum wird dieser SONG, ein gewisses Statement,
oder Anders, ein Durchstarter,
nicht auf der aktuellen Tournee in
Deutschland gespielt ???
Ist das nicht AnEcken wollen, oder gab e



All comments from YouTube:

@uncarbonatedmilk_

my dad played this for me as a kid lol, still my favourite song!

@user-hc9mo9rd3t

One of the greatest songs there are to me

@godjihyo

please don’t let this ever be forgotten

@eumaeus

I think this track, a classic from my childhood, is more relevant today than it was in the 80s. We need to make this Christmas number 1

@andrewphippsphillips1455

Never has been, Buddy. Resonates as much now as it did in August 1989 when I caught some of the set they did at Reading Festival

@t-man5196

Too late

@paulbaker3465

godjihyo never ❤️

@malligemange

Never

6 More Replies...

@jimbeckwith5949

I used to make copies of the NMA Ghost of Cain jacket with car paint on the jackets my mates left with me. Used to take me about a week each after work... It was only on jacket no.3 i noticed it was a left hand print. Used to spray the big red area with ford escort mk2 red, then do the snake, could never find the right brush to do the little white diamond dots so used to slightly chew a matchstick, then hone it to a square shape again and dot it on the leather, worked perfect. Handprint was always last, before the Tesla bolts. Yup, but jackets 1 and 2 were wrong. Painted my right hand black and slapped it on. Should have been left.

@drbettinawolff5843

Great songs never die

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