A New Chapter is a song written by Mike Peters and was one of the songs that was in the live set from the outset of the return of Mike Peters to the live stage in July 1992 with The Poets Of Justice.
I wanted this song as the final track of the album as I feel I have now put all the uncertainty of the past few years behind me. recording the album has allowed me to come to terms with my past and my future. I look forward to the days ahead. Breathe the air. – Mike Peters talking about inclusion of A New Chapter [Reprise] on Breathe Album
A version was recorded with the original Poets Of Justice line up at Abbey Road Studio session in 1992, but the version that appeared on Back Into The System single and Breathe were recorded with the later line up of The Poets
1993 Sain Studios, Back Into The System single recording
Running length 5:33
Written by Mike Peters
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Chris Lewis – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Brychan Llŷr – Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Backing Vocals
Emyr Penlan – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jules Jones Peters – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Owen Thomas – Drums, Backing Vocals
Recorded at Sain Studios, Llandwrog, Wales
Produced by Alan Shacklock and Mike Peters
Co-produced by Dick Meaney
Engineered by Eryl B Davies and Gethyn Evans
Fan comments – Johan Erikson – Imho one of the very best songs from the Poets era
Fan comments – Steve Fulton – Great song. This and 21st Century were the heart of something new
Alternative studio recordings
7.9.1992 ~ Abbey Road Sessions Recorded Live 7.9.1992
1994 Breathe Album Reprise
2008 Breathe Deluxe Remasters
2020 Big Night In Session
(v) 7th September 1992 – Abbey Road Sessions Recorded live 7.9.1992
Running length 4:20
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Voice, Acoustic Guitar
Ethan Johns – Electric Guitar
Jules Jones – Piano, Hammond Organ, Backing Vocals
David Watkins-Clarke – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Martyn Barker – Drums
Steve Bell – Percussion
Produced by Michael Peters
Engineered by Mike Jarratt
Assistant Engineering by Darren Godwin
Mixed by Andy Taylor
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London NW8, England on 7.9.1992 – Evening session (with audience)
Appears on Mike Peters and The Poets Of Justice – Abbey Road Sessions Recorded Live 7.9.1992 released in March 1997
1993 Sain Studios Breathe album reprise version
Running length 2:14
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Chris Lewis – Guitar
Jules Jones-Peters – Keyboards
Recorded at Sain Studios, Llandrog, Wales
Produced by Alan Shacklock and Mike Peters
Co-produced by Dick Meaney
Engineered by Eryl B Davies and Gethyn Evans
Appears on Mike Peters and the Poets of Justice – Breathe released 10th October 1994
1993 Sain Studios Breath album reprise version remastered 2008
Running length 2.14
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Chris Lewis – Guitar
Jules Jones-Peters – Keyboards
Recorded at Sain Studios, Llandrog, Wales
Produced by Alan Shacklock and Mike Peters
Co-produced by Dick Meaney
Engineered by Eryl B Davies and Gethyn Evans
Remastered by Martin Wilding, Mike Peters, Oli Powell
Appears on Mike Peters & The Poets – Breathe (Deluxe Edition) released in 2008
1993 Sain Studios, Back Into The System single recording remastered
Running length 5.33
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Chris Lewis – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Brychan Llŷr – Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Backing Vocals
Emyr Penlan – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jules Jones Peters – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Owen Thomas – Drums
Recorded at Sain Studios, Llandrog, Wales
Produced by Alan Shacklock and Mike Peters
Co-produced by Dick Meaney
Engineered by Eryl B Davies and Gethyn Evans
Remastered by Martin Wilding, Mike Peters, Oli Powell
Appears on Mike Peters & The Poets – Breathe (Deluxe Edition) released in 2008
6th June 2020. Broadcast for Season 1 Episode 12 of the Big Night In livestream broadcast
Running Length 1:57
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Appears on The Alarm Music Will Keep Us Strong -Disc 4 released in 2020
Album appearances and discography of studio / multi-media / session recordings
The following are Worldwide releases unless stated
10th October 1994 : Mike Peters and the Poets of Justice – Breathe
Released on CD by Crai records, catalogue number CRAI 47CD
Released on double vinyl LP by Crai records, catalogue number CRAI 47LP
1993 Sain Studios, Llandwrog, Wales Breathe album reprise version
(v) March 1997 : Mike Peters and The Poets Of Justice – Abbey Road Sessions Recorded Live 7.9.1992
Released on CD by the Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C003
1992 Abbey Road Sessions Recorded live 7.9.1992 Non audience session recording
10th July 2001 : Mike Peters – Collected Works
Released on CD by the Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C021
Edit of the 1993 Sain Studios, Llandwrog, Wales, Back Into The System single recording
2008 : Mike Peters & The Poets – Breathe (Deluxe Edition)
Released on 2CD + DVD box set, disc 1 by the Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C046
1993 Sain Studios, Llandwrog, Wales Breathe album reprise version remastered
2008 : Mike Peters & The Poets – Breathe (Deluxe Edition)
Released on 2CD + DVD box set, disc 2 by the Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C046
1993 Sain Studios, Llandwrog, Wales, Back Into The System single full version recording remastered
27th February 2014 : Mike Peters – The Dressing Room Sessions
Recorded backstage at The Flowerpot, Derby, England
Downloadable stream via a special code handed out at the gig
2020 : Mike Peters – The Alarm – Music Will Keep Us Strong
Released on 4 CD box set by the Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C118
Season 1 Episode 12 of the Big Night In livestream broadcast recorded 6th June 2020
July 2021 : The Alarm – History Repeating 1981-2021
Released on CD by the Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C129
Special CD release for Staycation 2021 guests
Single appearance and discography
UK Release
17th January 1994 : 12″ vinyl single – Mike Peters And The Poets – Back Into The System
Track listing : Back Into The System (edit) / A New Chapter / 21st Century (Demo Version) / Back Into The System
Released by CRAI Records, catalogue number Crai 40T
1993 Sain Studios, Llandwrog, Wales edit and full recording
17th January 1994 : CD – Back Into The System
Track listing : Back Into The System (Edit) / A New Chapter / 21st Century (Demo Version) / Back Into The System
Released by Crai Records, catalogue number CRAI 40CD
1993 Sain Studios, Llandwrog, Wales recording
17th January 1994 : Cassette Single – Mike Peters And The Poets – Back Into The System
Track listing : Back Into The System – Track listing : Back Into The System (Edit) / A New Chapter / Nol I Mewn I’r System / Canrif 21 (Fersiwn Demo)
Released by Crai Records, catalogue number CRAI 40C
1993 Sain Studios, Llandwrog, Wales edit recording 
Officially released live recordings ~ Audio
All are Worldwide releases by the Twenty First Century Recording Company
24th August 2003. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running Length 2:45
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2003 on Alarmstock Volume 5 – The Dirt And The Glory
28th August 2004. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running Length 2:47
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2004 on Alarmstock 2 Volume 3 – A Door Opens As Another One Closes 
6th August 2005. Recorded at Abbey Road Studio 2, London NW8, England
Running Length 4:26
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2005 on Alarmstock III London Set 2 – Scattered Across This Land
Officially released live recordings ~ DVD
All are Worldwide releases unless where stated
2008 : Mike Peters & The Poets – Breathe (Deluxe Edition) – Breathe On Film
Released on 2CD + DVD box set by the Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C046
DVD Special Feature – TV Appearances
Lyrics ~ Abbey Road Session 7.9.1992 version
Sunrise washing over me
Daylight cleansing my soul
Freedom so crystal clear
A new chapter in the book of my life
A new song in a different key
Walk on in a new direction
A new chapter in the book of my life
Morning has broken free
Silence beautiful cry
Time is eternity
A new chapter in the book of my life
A new song in a different key
Walk on in a new direction
A new chapter in the book of my life
Woh ooh oh
Woh ooh oh
In the book of my life
Woh ooh oh
Woh ooh oh
In the book of my life
Lyrics ~ Back Into The System single version
Sunrise washing over me
Daylight cleansing my soul
Freedom so crystal clear
A new chapter in the book of my life
A new song in a different key
Walk on in a new direction
A new chapter in the book of my life
Morning has broken free
Silence beautiful cry
Time is eternity
A new chapter in the book of my life
A new song in a different key
Walk on in a new direction
A new chapter in the book of my life
huhuhu ooh oh
huhuhu ooh oh
In the book of my life
huhuhu ooh oh
huhuhu ooh oh
In the book of my life
Lyrics ~ Breathe album Reprise version
Sunrise washing over me
Daylight cleansing my soul
Freedom so crystal clear
A new chapter in the book of my life
A new song in a different key
Walk on in a new direction
A new chapter in the book of my life
Morning has broken free
Silence beautiful cry
Time is eternity
A new chapter in the book of my life
A new song in a different key
Walk on in a new direction
A new chapter in the book of my life
Audio & Visual Sources 
Click on image for video of Mike Peters and The Poets The Mal Pope TV Show performance 1994
Click on image for video of Mike Peters live at Wrexham Central Station 1st November 2012 – Audience recording
Click on image for audio of Mike Peters and The Poets of Justice Abbey Road Sessions recording 7th September 1992
(Page updated 10/03/2026)