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Pretty Green
The Jam Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've got a pocket full of pretty green
I'm gonna put it in the fruit machine
I'm gonna put it in the jukebox
It's gonna play all the records in the hit parade

This is the pretty green, this is society
You can't do nothing, unless it's in the pocket
Oh no

I've got a pocket full of pretty green
I'm gonna give it to the man behind the counter
He's gonna give me food and water
I'm gonna eat that and look for more

And they didn't teach me that in school
It's something that I learnt on my own
That power is measured by the pound or the fist
It's as clear as this oh

I've got a pocket full of pretty green!

Overall Meaning

The Jam's "Pretty Green" is a protest song that captures the themes of money and power in society. In the first verse, the singer proudly boasts about his pocket full of money, which he is planning to use in a slot machine or jukebox, revealing how trivial and meaningless money can be reduced to. The line, "It's gonna play all the records in the hit parade," signifies how money can have far-reaching effects and how it can control the popular culture.


The chorus states, "This is the pretty green, this is society. You can't do nothing, unless it's in the pocket." The lyrics depict a society where power is defined by wealth and how it can silence the voices of those who don't have money. The singer conveys that pretty green, i.e., money, is the only tool that can enable social mobility and freedom of expression.


In the final verse, the singer comments on how he learned about the importance of money in society, something that wasn't taught in school. The line, "power is measured by the pound or the fist," demonstrates how the rich wield their power, and it is nearly impossible to challenge without money or physical strength. Thus the chorus, "I've got a pocket full of pretty green," seems to be an ironic take on the idea of freedom and liberty.


Line by Line Meaning

I've got a pocket full of pretty green
I have a lot of money in my pocket


I'm gonna put it in the fruit machine
I will use the money to try my luck in a gambling machine


I'm gonna put it in the jukebox
I will use the money to play some music on a jukebox


It's gonna play all the records in the hit parade
The jukebox will play all the popular songs


This is the pretty green, this is society
Money is power and influence in society


You can't do nothing, unless it's in the pocket
Without money, you have limited options and opportunities


Oh no
Expressing frustration and disappointment in the reality of this fact


I'm gonna give it to the man behind the counter
I will give my money to the shopkeeper


He's gonna give me food and water
In exchange for my money, I will receive basic necessities


I'm gonna eat that and look for more
I will use the basic necessities to survive and then try to make more money


And they didn't teach me that in school
School did not teach me the harsh realities of society and money


It's something that I learnt on my own
I had to learn this lesson through my own experiences, not through education


That power is measured by the pound or the fist
Power and influence can come from wealth or violence


It's as clear as this oh
This is a crystal clear truth of society that cannot be denied




Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul Weller

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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