"A New England" is a song by Billy Bragg that was successfully covered by Kirsty MacColl in 1984. Produced by her then-husband Steve Lillywhite, the song was her biggest solo hit - reaching #7 in the UK charts and #8 in Ireland.

Bragg's original version of the song, included on his album Life's a Riot with Spy Vs Spy, had only two verses. MacColl thought the song was too short, and so Bragg wrote a further two verses for her, which she consolidated into one. Since MacColl's death, Bragg has included the additional verse in performances of the song as a tribute.

The first two lines of the song are identical to the opening lines "Leaves That Are Green" by Simon & Garfunkel from their album Sounds of Silence

This song was renditioned by Mackenzie Crook and Gemma Arterton in the 2008 film Three and Out whilst walking home together from a Pub in the Lake District after mistaking a satellite for a shooting star in the night sky.

Track listing

1. "A New England" (Billy Bragg)
2. "Patrick" (K. MacColl)
3. "I'm Going Out with an 80 Year Old Millionaire" (K. MacColl)

"I'm Going Out with an 80 Year Old Millionaire" was only included in the 12" release.

References