'A' Bomb In Wardour Street
The Jam Lyrics


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Where the streets are paved with blood
With cataclysmic overtones
Fear and hate linger in the air
A strictly no-go deadly zone
And I don't know what I'm doing here
'Cause it's not my scene at all
There's an 'A' bomb in Wardour Street
They've called in the Army, they've called in the police to

I'm stranded on the vortex floor
My head's been kicked in and blood's started to pour
Through the haze, I can see my girl
Fifteen geezers got her pinned to the door
I try to reach her but fall back to the floor

'A' bomb off in Wardour Street
It's blown up the West End, now it's spreading through the City

'A' bomb in Wardour Street, it's blown up the City
Now it's spreading through the country

Law and order takes a turn for the worst
In the shape of a size-ten boot
Rape and murder throughout the land
And they tell you that you're still a free man
If this is freedom I don't understand
'Cause it seems like madness to me
'A' bomb in Wardour Street
Hate bomb, hate bomb, hate bomb, hate bomb

A Phillistine nation, of degradation




And hate and war there must be more
It's Doctor Martin's A-P-O-C-A-L-Y-P-S-E, Apocalypse!

Overall Meaning

The Jam's 'A' Bomb in Wardour Street is a gripping commentary on the destructive nature of war and its impact on society. The song begins by describing the bleakness of the streets, paved with blood and filled with fear and hate. The singer questions why they are even there because it's not a scene they identify with. The chorus reveals that the chaos is the result of an 'A' bomb in Wardour Street that has spread beyond the West End and is now spreading through the city and the country.


The second verse takes us deeper into the chaos as the singer finds themselves on the floor with a kicked-in head and blood pouring out. They spot their girl being held down by a group of men, but they're unable to help her. The chorus repeats, emphasizing that the destruction is spreading, with law and order taking a turn for the worst, resulting in rape and murder across the nation. The bridge of the song connects this chaos to a larger issue of the nation's degradation and the need for more than just surface-level solutions.


Line by Line Meaning

Where the streets are paved with blood
The streets are soaked in violence and bloodshed.


With cataclysmic overtones
The situation is ominous and signals the coming of disaster.


Fear and hate linger in the air
The atmosphere is tainted with both fear and hatred.


A strictly no-go deadly zone
The area is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.


And I don't know what I'm doing here
The artist is unsure why they are present in this place of violence and chaos.


'Cause it's not my scene at all
The singer does not identify with or belong in the environment described.


There's an 'A' bomb in Wardour Street
There is a metaphorical 'bomb' in this area that is causing mayhem and destruction.


They've called in the Army, they've called in the police to
The authorities have been notified and are taking action to address the situation.


I'm stranded on the vortex floor
The artist is trapped and helpless in the midst of the chaos.


My head's been kicked in and blood's started to pour
The artist has been physically assaulted and is bleeding.


Through the haze, I can see my girl
Despite the confusion, the singer is still able to recognize their loved one in the chaos.


Fifteen geezers got her pinned to the door
The artist's partner is in danger and being threatened by a group of men.


I try to reach her but fall back to the floor
The singer attempts to rescue their partner, but is unsuccessful and is knocked down.


'A' bomb off in Wardour Street
The situation described earlier is still ongoing and spreading beyond its initial location.


It's blown up the West End, now it's spreading through the City
The destruction and violence has spread across the city and beyond the original location.


'A' bomb in Wardour Street, it's blown up the City
The chaos has escalated and caused widespread destruction throughout the entire city.


Now it's spreading through the country
The violence and destruction are now affecting the entire country.


Law and order takes a turn for the worst
The justice system is failing and becoming corrupt.


In the shape of a size-ten boot
The corruption and violence is being carried out by those in positions of power.


Rape and murder throughout the land
Violent crimes are rampant and widespread.


And they tell you that you're still a free man
Despite the chaos and violence, the government assures its citizens that they are still 'free'.


If this is freedom I don't understand
The artist questions the validity of the government's claim that this is a free society.


'Cause it seems like madness to me
The singer believes that the society they are living in is insane and illogical.


'A' bomb in Wardour Street
The metaphorical bomb is still wreaking havoc on society.


Hate bomb, hate bomb, hate bomb, hate bomb
The 'bomb' is fueled by hate and causing widespread destruction and devastation.


A Phillistine nation, of degradation
The singer views their society as uncivilized and deteriorating.


And hate and war there must be more
The singer believes that their society is obsessed with hatred and conflict.


It's Doctor Martin's A-P-O-C-A-L-Y-P-S-E, Apocalypse!
The artist is describing the current state of society as an impending apocalypse, using a reference to Dr. Martens brand boots.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@frithbarbat

OMG it doesn't get much better. I was 14 when this came out. Probably didn't hear it until I was in my 20s. Still one of my favorite songs ever.

@FadGadget1

One of the best live TV performances by a band who had something decent to say. Legendary.

@StepbyStep-biOrb

Those were the best days, All my clothes from Carnaby Street, my shoes from Shelley's Shoes. First saw the Jam live when i was at school (Leicester). I went to the venue even though I didn't have tickets...but still managed to get in. Went to lots of concerts since then. Great music, as always, from Paul, Bruce and Rick. The Jam, RIP.

@TedTheTree

I was lucky enough to see them live a couple of times, I was just 14 the first time;

@djtforever1414

I visited London in March for the first time in 16 years. I went to Wardour Street!

@lauranewberry6520

I remember watching them on the old grey whistle test in 78 a mere school kid , and was blown away by this fantastic trio pure class

@davidwright8823

i was 15 in 77 seen the lads live for the first time !!!!

@andrew2366

55 now still makes the hairs on the back of my head stand up!!

@secondchance6603

@Andrew Barker Same age same conclusion brother.

@andrew2366

@Second Chance I'm 56 now gonna love this band until they put me in the ground to the sound of When you're young!! 😂😂

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