Absolute Beginners
The Jam Lyrics


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In echoed steps I walked across an empty dream
I looked across this world, there was no one to be seen
This empty feeling turned and quietly walked away
I saw no warmth in life, no love was in my eyes
I stared a century thinking this will never change
As I hesitated, time rushed onwards without me
Too scared to break the spell, too small to take a fall
But the absolute luck is, love is in our hearts!

I lost some hours thinking of it
I need the strength to go and get what I want
I lost a lifetime thinking of it
An' I lost an era daydreaming like I do

I stared a century thinking this will never change
As I hesitated, time rushed onwards without me
Too scared to break the spell, too small to take a fall
But the absolute luck is, love is in our hearts!
In echoed steps you walk across an empty dream
But look around this world, there's millions to be seen
Come see the tyrants panic, see their crumbling empires fall
Then tell 'em we don't fight for fools 'cause love is in our hearts!

I lost some hours thinking of it
I need the strength to go and get what I want
I lost a lifetime thinking of it
An' I lost an era daydreaming like I do

You can lose some hours thinking of it
You need the strength to go and get what you want




You can lose a lifetime thinking of it
And lose an era daydreaming like I do

Overall Meaning

The Jam's "Absolute Beginners" is a song about the realization of the emptiness that comes with a lack of love or warmth in life. The lyrics describe the singer's feelings of walking alone in an "empty dream" and seeing no one around them. They feel as though they are staring into a century of emptiness, unable to break the spell of loneliness they feel. However, the song's ultimate message is one of hope, as the singer acknowledges the presence of love in their heart and in the world around them, encouraging listeners to seek it out and to not let the fear of failure hold them back.


Throughout the song, the theme of time and its ever-increasing pace is prevalent. The singer watches as time rushes by without them, too scared to take a chance and too small to handle potential failure. This further emphasizes the idea of the importance of not wasting one's time and taking risks to find love and fulfillment in life.


The chorus repeats the phrase "but the absolute luck is, love is in our hearts," driving home the idea that even in times of loneliness and despair, we all possess the ability to love and be loved. Through this reminder, the song encourages listeners to overcome their fears and find the happiness they deserve.


Line by Line Meaning

In echoed steps I walked across an empty dream
I walked aimlessly with no direction or purpose.


I looked across this world, there was no one to be seen
I looked for someone or something but found nothing.


This empty feeling turned and quietly walked away
The feeling of emptiness that I had slowly faded away.


I saw no warmth in life, no love was in my eyes
I couldn't find any happiness or love in life.


I stared a century thinking this will never change
I felt stuck in this feeling for a long time and thought it would never go away.


As I hesitated, time rushed onwards without me
I wasted time and missed out on opportunities because I was too hesitant or scared.


Too scared to break the spell, too small to take a fall
I was too afraid to take risks or make changes in my life.


But the absolute luck is, love is in our hearts!
However, the one thing that can make us truly happy is love, which is always within us.


You can lose some hours thinking of it
You can waste time thinking about things.


You need the strength to go and get what you want
But you need the courage to go after what you want.


You can lose a lifetime thinking of it
Otherwise, you'll miss out on the best moments in life and spend it thinking about missed opportunities.


And lose an era daydreaming like I do
And waste your life daydreaming and not taking action.


In echoed steps you walk across an empty dream
You might be walking around aimlessly with no direction or purpose.


But look around this world, there's millions to be seen
But if you look around, there's so much to see and experience.


Come see the tyrants panic, see their crumbling empires fall
You can see powerful people lose their grip on their positions and crumble.


Then tell 'em we don't fight for fools 'cause love is in our hearts!
And in the end, we fight not for foolish things but for love, which is the most important thing.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

mitsos3

Lyrics

In echoed steps I walked across an empty dream
I looked across this world, there was no one to be seen
This empty feeling turned and quietly walked away
I saw no warmth in life, no love was in my eyes
I stared a century thinking this will never change
As I hesitated, time rushed onwards without me
Too scared to break the spell, too small to take a fall
But the absolute luck is, love is in our hearts!

I lost some hours thinking of it
I need the strength to go and get what I want
I lost a lifetime thinking of it
An' I lost an era daydreaming like I do

I stared a century thinking this will never change
As I hesitated, time rushed onwards without me
Too scared to break the spell, too small to take a fall
But the absolute luck is, love is in our hearts!
In echoed steps you walk across an empty dream
But look around this world, there's millions to be seen
Come see the tyrants panic, see their crumbling empires fall
Then tell 'em we don't fight for fools 'cause love is in our hearts!

I lost some hours thinking of it
I need the strength to go and get what I want
I lost a lifetime thinking of it
An' I lost an era daydreaming like I do

You can lose some hours thinking of it
You need the strength to go and get what you want
You can lose a lifetime thinking of it
And lose an era daydreaming like I do



rallyboy101

That ain't live.

Yeah the sound sounds live, but i'd wager it's a studio version made to sound live.

for a few reasons..... firstly the drum kit isn't mic'd up.

second, the vocal is far too consistent for the variation of PW's position.

Where's the horn players?

never mind lip or guitar sync.


still a good recording though.



All comments from YouTube:

Craig Tries

Is it me or is Bruce Foxton literally one of the most creative bass players ever? Unbelievable bass line in this

Gentilly Girl

It's not you. He is brilliant.

david mallatratt

B foxton is an unbelievable bass player trouble is like most bass players and drummers thay never get the recognition like lead guitar players and vocalists

Motel Ghost

Absolute classic. Fucking brilliant band, one of the greatest of all time.

Know One

Language Timothy!

Manc Flyer

NQAT. God I miss bands like this. My kids are listening to shite these days from bands who can't play instruments and can't sing

mitsos3

Lyrics

In echoed steps I walked across an empty dream
I looked across this world, there was no one to be seen
This empty feeling turned and quietly walked away
I saw no warmth in life, no love was in my eyes
I stared a century thinking this will never change
As I hesitated, time rushed onwards without me
Too scared to break the spell, too small to take a fall
But the absolute luck is, love is in our hearts!

I lost some hours thinking of it
I need the strength to go and get what I want
I lost a lifetime thinking of it
An' I lost an era daydreaming like I do

I stared a century thinking this will never change
As I hesitated, time rushed onwards without me
Too scared to break the spell, too small to take a fall
But the absolute luck is, love is in our hearts!
In echoed steps you walk across an empty dream
But look around this world, there's millions to be seen
Come see the tyrants panic, see their crumbling empires fall
Then tell 'em we don't fight for fools 'cause love is in our hearts!

I lost some hours thinking of it
I need the strength to go and get what I want
I lost a lifetime thinking of it
An' I lost an era daydreaming like I do

You can lose some hours thinking of it
You need the strength to go and get what you want
You can lose a lifetime thinking of it
And lose an era daydreaming like I do

richard gane

Never heard this version before but like it, especially the vocal.

Granto 67

It was 4 swop shop r sumit on a Saturday I thinking ๐Ÿค”

Albrecht Dรผrer Restposten

I like the roughness in this performance. Such a tune.

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