"51st State" is a single by New Model Army, which appeared on their 1986 album The Ghost of Cain. It protests about what it describes as "the obedience of the United Kingdom under Margaret Thatcher to United States interests". Its lyrics were written by Ashley Cartwright of The Shakes. The lyrics to the song were believed to be behind a ban by the American Musician's Union on the band, which prevented them touring the Ghost of Cain album in the United States.