A New England By Billy Bragg (Number 7 in 1983) on John Peel's festive fifty

[Oldrottenhead]

this song used to make me cry,

well the version by Kirsty Maccoll did.

The song always struck a chord with me, so here i present my version.

an absolute mess as this song still resonates with  me today and gets me all emulsional still.

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

a new england

w/m
billy bragg
oldrottenhead on
electro acoustic
bass guitar
juno di
and
warbling

[Damián]

Great song and very special cover Jim

[Groundy]

Great cover james, not heard this for a while, Thanks for sharing..Alex

[Redler]

Great version, James! Loved this low tempo and ethereal take! Just fantastic job!

[chunk]

Good stuff James . One of my favourite Bragg songs along with St.Swithuns Day

[Gnasty]

I don`t know the song but really excellent!! Love the dual vocals!! BRAW!

[Geir]

Beautiful James!

BRAW!

[Farrell Jackson]

A real pretty and sad song ORH. I can hear why it pulls at your emotions. Well done!

Farrell

[cuthbert]

I do love a melancholy and reflective tune, and you really did this one justice, James. Haven't heard the Billy Bragg version before, but I'm digging your version.