The The - Heartland (Official Video)

[@jonridley]

the 'real' national anthem

[@johndoe-vc1we]

Blur's Parklife has that one thanks 😊

[@TheIronweed-vx5lg]

We'll take you, but you gotta clean up your water. (Il Yankee)

[@DaveAndBeth1978]

@johndoe-vc1we would go with The The over Blur anytime 😊

[@caveman385]

...Of England???? Not Scotland. Then again could be Scotland too as we are held against our will constantly into this UK bollocks.

[@annaelizabethwade1660]

Bought this when it first came out, as well as the album. Listened to it again after 10 years and nothing had changed, and then after 20 and then 30, and it's just as relevant now as it was then. Very few songs can do that and this one that should be passed down and treasured forever...

[@asdfsdfdf100]

I hear you girl!

[@randyhaberek5312]

You nailed it Anna. Last night I pulled out my copy of the Singles. And this particular song hit me. And you’re right. Nothing has changed. Depressing. And we should all be rioting in the streets.

[@markallgood7980]

Dec 2019. Tories win a big majority. As relevant as ever.

[@georgesmiley4680]

Absolutely code!

[@georgesmiley4680]

Comrade

[@Lerequindemort]

I started listening to the the in about 1985/86 and I've never stopped loving it. Jan 2024 and this song is more relevant than ever. Maybe not in the way Matt intended but relevant nonetheless. Especially the bit about "so many people can't express what's on their mind, nobody knows them nobody ever will until their backs are broken, their dreams are stolen and they can't get want and then they're gonna get angry". That's the Brits he's talking about right there.

[@chrisChris6969]

Same here , Infected was and still is The bollox ❤

[@CathyKitson]

I think it WAS the what Matt intended. Urban decay, violence, official neglect, while the poor and aged are at the bottom of the scrap heap. What was true in 1985 is still true in 2024, nearly 40 years later. "Nothing ever changes". Indeed. We had dreams when we came out of WWII, a welfare state, a NHS, housing for all, etc. But a lot of it's turned into a nightmare.

[@MrShiffard]

Just checking in. 2024 & nothing's changed.

[@kenchisholm566]

its heart-breaking

[@WinstonGulag84]

It’s got worse 🤦🏻‍♂️this song was so far of its time Matt Johnson genius

[@epicgamer-oe8wt]

Yes agreed but we get a new album and tour this year , 2024 suddenly looking good

[@jamesdavid6981]

True

[@steveburton12]

And the pensioners are still getting rape and their hearts are still being cut from the welfare state !😢

[@rovercoupe120]

has to be the most underrated band, so relevant and accurate lyrics then and now all the years later, i am so glad to have grown up listening to quality like this, Matt was spot on.

[@PinkMoonisGonnaGetYou]

Shut the f up. Nobody cares about your A-hole opinion.

[@kazzj62]

This is now the Uk's new national anthem! prophetic genius!

[@suzannewilkinson3368]

Kbax Bax I know 😞

[@jamiemonson7806]

Fuck off tories

[@mizofan]

NHS soon to belong to USA :(

[@lidder1973]

Fucking too right mate

[@steelyman08]

The 51st state of the USA....too right! He wrote this long before it became blatantly obvious. Impressive.

[@jarvis400]

Still fresh and relevant, unbelievable. Many thanks!

[@tonyb1184]

I was 16 when this was released and now at 51 it's just as brilliant

[@paulmajor8865]

I was nearly 3 years old

[@nielshansen193]

I'm 50. 1972

[@NormAppleton]

I'm 58, came to it earlier. Saw The The earlier this week, great great concert.

[@DaveAndBeth1978]

"The ammunition's been passed, and the lord's been praised, but the wars on the television will never be explained" Best social commentary lyric ever

[@CathyKitson]

Ukraine, Israel, the violence never changes, does it? War, war and more war. "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition" came from Pearl Harbor, a sick, twisted interpretation of Christianity.

[@keithhill9047]

I was lucky enough in about 1988? To see them do this live at rock city, and seen Matt ,couple times over the years....and in 2024, its sadly even more true 💔😭

[@chilly856]

I was 19 years old, a long time ago. Trudging across the Tundra in the NWT Canada taking samples for a Diamond Company. Was late August, the sun was setting and I was singing this song, in the middle of nowhere, a land of lakes, tundra, big rocks, bears, wolves and no humans. Was absolutely terrifying and amazing. I remember that late afternoon 30 years ago.

[@davewilson9738]

"This is the land where nothing changes", is such a true line as we approach 35 years since its release. Matt is undervalued except by those lucky enough to have found him; let us mourn for those who have not.

[@geraldcummiskey6721]

So true

[@mrbenn1489]

Apart from demographically of course.😕

[@alfredrutz7830]

You must be blind or willingly ignorant: Have you taken a look at the UK lately ???

[@petermariner6323]

"This is the land where nothing changes". Welcome to 2022.

[@BattleMatt]

It's 2022 in the UK and you are relevant again Matt.

[@baconsandwich2007]

32 years later and not a lot has changed.

[@garycowie8648]

Mike Paull Not a lot has changed r u fucking mad ware have u been the moon u fucking nut case

[@newaccount90356]

Gary Cowie where*

[@DanielSwan]

I like how that was the least of your concerns with that sentence :D Clearly hadn't bothered to listen to the lyrics though..

[@garycowie8648]

@@DanielSwan I've listened to lyrics must admit not much has changed to poor pensioners + social scroungers but if you work hard to better yourself you can change your lifestyle instead of smoking pot + drinking cheap alcohol all day + blaming other people for your misfortunes

[@tradewinds2319]

I get your point

[@markbrandon5408]

Remains one of my favourite albums of all time, and this song still sends shivers down my spine. Beautiful, chilling, prophetic, 33 years later and this country is still sick, sad and confused....

[@jasonmussett2129]

More so than ever

[@rerenaissance7487]

Hello from 2020 - you want to see sick...?

[@georgesteers9368]

37 yrs later and the world is still sick,sad and confused;more so than ever.

[@stephenlondon244]

My introduction to The The was their stencilled graffiti logo on all the main junction exit signs from Maidenhead into London on the M4…capturing my imagination & Matt Johnson’s rhythmic songs & prophetic lyrics have lived with me ever since…plus the image of Neneh Cherry writhing whilst tied to a train track by a tunnel singing on a great video…

[@christo792]

36 years later and Britain has a US-born Prime Minister. Who'da thunk it?

[@paulcurrant8177]

I have listened to this song for over 30 years and I am now quite confident in saying this is the best song ever recorded.

[@jimcypher]

VHS taped this off of MTV's 120 Minutes so we could watch it whenever we needed to. 🎶

[@dr.ligmahnutts2993]

Yes it’s relevant because the issues back then were never solved...so they still exist

[@steelyman08]

"As the pound in our pocket turns into a dollar ...." It wasn't nearly as obvious to most in 1986. It should be now! Prophetic stuff indeed. Quite brilliant.

[@auldlang1751]

Nice sentiment, but in reality, that's absolute bollocks. Yer welcome.

[@BattleMatt]

Actually it was more obvious in '86 with Reagan in the Whitehouse and we were housing their nuclear weapons.

[@domoreilly3887]

@@auldlang1751 Let's wait for the much trumpeted UK-US post-Brexit deal.

[@CathyKitson]

@@BattleMatt I think it meant that we're kind of under America's thumb culturally. They're bigger and stronger and they tend to throw their weight around. Culturally and commercially their influence extends across the world. It sometimes feels like we ARE "the fifty-first state".

[@steelyman08]

@@CathyKitson You nailed it. Now they own a good chunk of the EPL as well (and god knows what else).

[@harristonmiller4399]

One of the great protest songs of the 1980s. A song that is revelant today as it was on its original release in 1986 of the decline of Britain's industrial heartlands and the incompetence of public and private leaders to halt this descent into a country which is now reliant on service industries.

[@rjjcms1]

It captured the darker side of what was going on then so well,and much of it still fits the state of this country now. Brilliantly gloomy and pessimistic.

[@Lisa-pw2he]

Same occurred in the U.S.

[@Itstinner]

Couldnt put it any better myself

[@michaelperkins4854]

33 years old, and never more relevant than now. And I really wish it wasn't. I wish we could just listen to this and enjoy it as a great song.

[@briansilver6196]

Iv been listening to this album for 30 something years ,it's as good today as it was yesterday

[@samanthajones3569]

Heard this in 1985 when I was 13. Am 50 now and it is still relevant

[@plump688]

Quality inteligent music like this is today lost in the jungle of sponsored radio pop music. Our kids will not know music llike this unless they have parents that play it for them. Its a tragedy that generations are not listening to quality music like The The and others and instead listen to mp3 compressed music on airpods.

[@stevepettit2064]

everybody should hear and love the talent that is matt johnson pure genius one of my favourite artists ever.

[@davidrhodes5809]

Absolute brilliance! Heartland was my favourite song of the 80s! So prophetic and superb lyrics and a catchy tune too! Matt Johnson was a supreme songwriter! Infected was immense!!

[@claudiopalumbo4200]

Magnifico

[@jasonmussett2129]

I was sixteen when I bought this as a 7 inch single. Every word on that has come true, especially over recent weeks."The way this country is divided to fall" it's starting to happen.

[@olinika71]

And one day the English shouted... More than 30 years ago... The English have made life impossible for many Latinos... As is my case that I am Argentine... But in this song the Kingdom is also left see as another victim... This is so... Of course Matt is an undervalued Talent!!!

[@andymendez7710]

i first heard this song and album when a girl gave me a ride home from university in the late 80s for Christmas break, i think we played it 2-3 times as she only had a couple of tapes in her car. truly an amazing song and album.

[@roamlikekane]

What struck me about this song and album was having cheery-up-tempo music juxtaposed against rather dark social commentary that evoked disturbing imagery throughout. Just brilliant! As it made me smile and wince at the same time. Love all of The The's discography. Brilliant all around! I've heard Matt Johnson was David Bowie's favorite song writer.

[@domoreilly3887]

I listened to the album at a friend's place and loved the tunes and the Jools Holland piano. Then I paid attention to the lyrics and thought exactly as you just said.

[@Lisa-pw2he]

This is how I've always described to people why I love The The so much. Deep and poignant lyrical commentary set on a backdrop of upbeat music. Would love to hear Bowie say that Matt Johnson was his favorite songwriter. That's a serious compliment.

[@roamlikekane]

@@Lisa-pw2he It may have been in an article or an interview in which this was stated, perhaps a Google search could yield a direction. I wish I could recite an exact source. Indeed, coming from him, it would seem so. One thing David Bowie possessed was a sense of humility. He was always supportive of the song writing process. I recall he participated in song writing seminars and contests as a judge stateside.

[@kingelvis1977d]

I remember myself and my friend Paul seeing him in concert in Newport in 1988, one of the best concerts I ever saw . RIP Paul

[@garycowie8648]

Sorry to hear of your sad lose keep your chin up god bless

[@marklowe4463]

Blimey just read this and I was at the gig also ah good memories

[@Itstinner]

I was there too. Remember that a weird dramatic intro played before they came on stage

[@fernandomoricca1652]

Masterpiece, still outstanding.....

[@jonhunter8737]

This album, Infected, is one of those classic moments, where no matter your musical tastes, it becomes a must own. Outstanding misic, outstanding videos too!!! As this was at the heart of the MTV era,.videos were essential,.but in this case, the music stands on its own, only complimented by the vids. Fabulous songwriting and musicianship by all concerned!

[@Lord.Smith.the.first.]

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

[@frankallison8430]

Kane Smith b

[@whk759]

Thank you Kane ! 😉👍

[@steelyman08]

And again from me.

[@stevemac6167]

Seems to sum up today in the UK

[@shivaunt71]

Brilliant stuff. 👍

[@craiglamme7665]

A very underrated and under promoted band!

[@brasjazzchannel]

oggi, 17 novembre 2024, come fosse allora, occhi lucidi per un capolavoro che rimarrà nella storia 💙💙

[@overlord1966]

Everything Matt does is class.

[@jeremyvanblaricum4774]

Came here by accident and don’t regret a second of it!

[@loureed3015]

Mans a genius of word,to rich in lyrics for the pop charts,

[@agereaver]

Holy crap, my copy of this (vinyl) had a skip at the end of the song that I honestly thought was part of the song, but not on this version. Another thing about this awesome album I find out 8000 years later!

[@lostman8990]

My Brother had this on vinyl, around 1986/ 7 I'm guessing. And yes, I remember the skip at the end of the song ! ? Something like " Of the U, U, U " 👍☮️

[@hp67c]

@@lostman8990 The skip is there on CD as well. It's intentional.

[@richardhogg8507]

Same skip on my glorious cassette. Wonder how many people know what those are : )

[@DaveAndBeth1978]

​@richardhogg8507 a good many I would think!

[@lifenotbills]

I had the skip on vinyl. Pretty sure it’s part of the song, unless it’s a Mandela Effect.

[@garydunning9363]

I remember the Saturday morning cinema's that my mam&dad used to love.they were derelict when I was growing up.we loved playing in em when we were kids..Happy day's..

[@soulsearcher57]

Matt Johnson is, was and always will be a true visionary in every sense of the word. From the mid 1980s to today his lyrics stand and prove what a soothsayer he is.

[@gezblair]

This is the land where nothing changes

[@jayjames7055]

not even half a million views? (was expecting 50 million.)

[@craiglamme7665]

My pharmacist turned me on to this in the late 80s. The guy has good musical taste!

[@berndhausmann8346]

Listened to this today by chance - and thought how relevant the song still is...: "Here comes another winter of long shadows and high hopes Here comes another winter waiting for utopia...". I hope that the winter will not be as long as I am afraid it will be...

[@georgeedwardscott8161]

soooooooo relevant still all this time. a true visionary

[@stuartrumbel5222]

Still so relevant, but to the whole world now, not just merry England.

[@lifenotbills]

The City of London is inside the city of London. Hiding in plain sight.

[@gazzamundo734]

I hope I can live to the ripe old age of 56 so I can see this song/lp get the 40 year treatment

[@Jo-yp8wy]

Ha. I'm nearly 60. Still love it.

[@cazb877]

Awesome song, still just as relevant today.

[@musicmadinoz]

a song thats stood the test of time & even more prophetic now than ever in the age of covid

[@michaelbutton1789]

This is the song/video that got me into The The. I remember waching this video repeatedly on MusicBox. Bought the 'Infected' album on the strength of this alone !! I've never looked back.

[@estabanblanco2783]

Amazing how this great song brings us here.

[@svenmoeller1755]

Still relevant since 1986, I keep on listening. The cranes are moving ...

[@pamelamorrison4086]

Absolutely spot on for this day and age too - the tail end of 2019 and the lyrics are spot on, tragically. This song, music, lyrics and vocal speaks volumes for the current predicament - sad but true.

[@micn9366]

Absolutely superb track.

[@SpaceMonster61]

Who’s listening to this gem in 2024

[@williamtallonMadCap1970]

Me! Amazing song...

[@stevemurphy5696]

I saw him recently in Brisbane. Brilliant show and he played this gem

[@SpaceMonster61]

@@stevemurphy5696 awesome. How was it?

[@stevemurphy5696]

@@SpaceMonster61 it was absolutely brilliant sold out concert and he played another sold out concert the next night. I've seen him twice now

[@howareyou857]

Yeah nothing has changed.

[@gazookerman1328]

I bought this when it first came out, because it was sign of the times back then.. Depressing but factual lyrics, giving rise to hope.. 2020, how things have not changed for the better...Orwell, I mean oh well, I will give it another listen, cheers me up no end...Great song...

[@rjjcms1]

Same,and I might still have the single somewhere.

[@grantrobinson354]

The The and The Style Council, great British bands that sing about real world observations set to incomparably good music. All Matt’s albums are every note pure genius over all albums. Thanks bro.

[@goc9508]

35 years later and what’s changed? Genius

[@olinika71]

We are alive and conscious... Let's go The The!!! Matt's message is more relevant than AI...

[@nickdawson9236]

TOTALLY WICKED & EXCELLENT AND SO TRUE THANX SO MUCH FOR THIS NICK x

[@rikwheatley5994]

Someone's just said on F/Book that we're becoming the 51st State of the USA (Bojo/Drumpf/NHS etc), and I immediately thought of Matt & this track, ............ sadly, STILL relevant 30+ years later!

[@kimbergin4392]

The most amazing song, love The The

[@myblueextremes1526]

It's an all time fave for me. Sadly, lyrically it still seems relevant.

[@jonathanphillips5514]

One of the best albums ever made in my humble opinion.

[@MrSirDrew]

Lyrics 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. ...

[@pittsa5919]

Thanks for posting the lyrics!!! A huge statement....

[@tralala4200]

🙏

[@laurentduvergne5031]

Thanks so much !

[@nielshansen193]

We know what he means when he calls it "new side of town

[@sarahhorrey7167]

50

[@extrastype]

Great songs are timeless. Is this the UK's national anthem yet ?

[@martm17]

It very much should be.

[@MegaDeansy]

Wish I'd heard of this at the time, this is quality !

[@ALNIMAL]

2019 and as relevant now as it ever was. I'll tip my hat now to Mr Johnson for his foresight, I'm just sad that it has come to bear for so long for so many.

[@garythompson4041]

As an old school punk, some 58 years old, totally rate this, nearest thing to The Clash.

[@Mr1979flapjack]

This song could not be more topical.

[@poolhalljunkie100]

Bought the vinyl on a hunch, now I have the matching cassette ;)

[@alediazbour2209]

Una de las mejores canciones sin dudas!!! Maravillosa!!!

[@andrewnimmo5618]

Still loving it - saw Matt in concert recently and he's still got it

[@andyrobbins8379]

Jeez! 35 years on, and nothing’s bloody changed….

[@Br1anuk]

As relevant in 2021 as it was in 1986.

[@markgreet3543]

Yeah society still tough kid but it's life

[@rjjcms1]

The shadows are going to get very long indeed for many this coming winter.

[@woodywood5824]

Still one of my favorite songs after 35 years or so.

[@sybersy1]

The The are one of those bands whos music & lyrics are timeless & still feel relevant today. Matt Jonson is a musical genius & this song is definately one of my favourites !

[@stuartbatchelor2707]

Quite the visionary is Mr Johnson

[@arminius4406]

Armageddon days are here....again Visionary indeed.

[@jasonmussett2129]

This guy should have done a lot better, a talented artist, a visionary, yeah without a doubt

[@emjayacorn]

In my top 5 albums..awesome voice and lyrics. Xx

[@chrisChris6969]

Incredible song ,from incredible Album

[@garrymusselwhite5043]

Even after all these years, his songs still ring true! Matt was a visionary. Even after all this time I STILL listen to The-The! The Beat(en) generation...

[@Jo-yp8wy]

Sooo long ago. And nothing changes. Still relevant. 1986. Ffs.

[@CathyKitson]

How insightful and prophetic this was.

[@thanto575]

Pure magic. Would love to repurchase the entire Infected album video movie in HD.

[@vejeta7799]

La primera vez que pise Cemento sonaba este tema ,me voló la cabeza!!!

[@davidwhaite3330]

Amazing song from one of the greatest albums of all time " Infected " .

[@marianmichalski]

Drums are superb ❤

[@ethanroberts2658]

If we ever sell part of the nhs to the us in a trade deal everyone agree to try get this to number 1 in the charts 😂

[@stuartwray6175]

It's already happening. Parts of the NHS are being outsourced to US companies.

[@sotospeak415]

the NHS is such a sacred cow in the UK. So ridiculous

[@sotospeak415]

@GamesMediaPro i'm almost certainly not fro your country(but your country tried their very best to make mine theirs) but thanks for the love

[@Milo-wl2if]

@@sotospeak415 Rather the NHS than left to die on some piss soaked street in the USA.

[@johnprice6735]

@GamesMediaPro go fuck off

[@jcee]

Class single! How great is Tessa Niles on backing vocals too! ❤

[@stevedrane2364]

Brilliant. . 👍

[@MariaRojas-mm1xd]

Cuando tenía quince años o diecisiete ví este vídeo por primera vez y me encantó, en un canal que se llamaba Music 21, la imagen detrás y la chica con la botella de cola. me costó años encontrarlos de vuelta. Forma parte de mi adolescencia.😘

[@silhosblue]

En Argentina, sonaba en una publicidad de shampoo, fines de los 80's.

[@Ookleton]

Love it. Also, I find Leonard Cohen's Everybody Knows to be VERY reminiscent of this track...

[@frannieo1707]

Incredible song that takes me right back. Very evocative of the time.

[@carklimar]

Frankfurt would have been happy if you had come this year...!

[@christineanderson4794]

Can't believe this has only had 17,000-odd views. What's going on people?

[@MrJonno85]

Well if that's true it has had a hell of a lot of views since you wrote that! I wonder why?

[@errolmotau927]

The The is only for connoisseur ears.

[@1969PCP]

Yep Matt nothing changes....great track with sadly timeless lyrics ...