A New Chapter 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 on the final track of the album as I feel I have now put all the certainty 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 versions that appeared on Back Into The System single and Breathe were recorded with the later line up of The Poets
1994 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
Owen Thomas – Drums
Jules Jones Peters – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
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
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
Abbey Road Sessions Recorded Live 7.9.1992 ~ 1994 Breathe Album Reprise
(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)
1994 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
Album appearances and discography of studio recordings
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
10th October 1994 : Mike Peters and the Poets of Justice – Breathe
Crai records, catalogue number CRAI 47LP (Double vinyl LP), CRAI 47CD (CD)
1994 Reprise version
(v) 1995 : Mike Peters – Breathe The Acoustic Sessions
Released on CD by The Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C001
Summer 1994 Wales acoustic recording
(v) March 1997 : Mike Peters and The Poets Of Justice – Abbey Road Sessions Recorded Live 7.9.1992
Released on CD by Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C003
1992 Abbey Road Non audience session recording
2001 : Mike Peters – Collected Works
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C021
Edit of the 1994 full recording.
2008 : Mike Peters & The Poets – Breathe (Deluxe Edition)
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C046 (2CD + DVD box set)
1994 Reprise version recording
2008 : Mike Peters & The Poets – Breathe (Deluxe Edition)
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C046 (2CD + DVD box set)
1994 Full version recording
July 2021 : The Alarm – History Repeating 1981-2021
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C129 (CD)
Special CD release for Staycation 2021 guests
Single appearance and discography
17th January 1994 : 12″ vinyl single – Back Into The System
Track listing : Back Into The System (edit) / A New Chapter / 21st Century (Demo Version) / Back Into The System
Crai Records, catalogue number CRAI 40T
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
Crai Records, catalogue number CRAI 40CD
17th January 1994 : Cassette Single – Back Into The System
Track listing : Back Into The System (Edit) / A New Chapter / Nol I Mewn I’r System / Canrif 21 (Fersiwn Demo)
Crai Records, catalogue number CRAI 40C
Officially released live recordings ~ Audio
All are Worldwide Releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
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 on except where stated
2008 : Mike Peters & The Poets – Breathe (Deluxe Edition) – Breathe On Film
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C046 (2CD + DVD box set)
Special Feature – TV Appearances
Sessions, TV Appearances, Podcast and online Multi-media
(All Images right click to open larger in new window)
27th February 2014 – Mike Peters – The Dressing Room Sessions live at The Flowerpot, Derby, England
Downloadable stream via a special code handed out at the gig
6th June 2020. First broadcast for Season 1 Episode 12 of the Big Night In live stream broadcast from The Peters House, Dyserth, Wales
Running Length 1:57
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2020 as The Alarm Music Will Keep Us Strong – Disc 4
Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C118
The Big Night In Season 1 Episode 12 can be viewed in full on the video section of Alarm Central
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
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
Audio & Visual Sources ~ 2 x Video link, 1 x Audio link
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
Audio Link – Mike Peters and The Poets of Justice Abbey Road Sessions recording 7th September 1992
(Page updated 21/04/2024)