The track was released as a single through EMI and reached number 71 on the UK Singles Chart,[3] spending just two weeks in the listing. It was the band's fourth appearance on that chart.
Originally this song was written by Ashley Cartwright and performed by his band called The Shakes, from whom New Model Army took the song after The Shakes broke up in 1983.[4]
^Cartwright, Ashley (1986). "51st State". newmodelarmy.org. New Model Army. Archived from the original on 2020-09-22. 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