The band drew upon a variety of stylistic influences over the course of their career, including 1960s beat music, soul, rhythm and blues and psychedelic rock, as well as 1970s punk and new wave. The trio was known for its melodic pop songs, its distinctly English flavour and its mod image. The band launched the career of Paul Weller, who went on to form The Style Council and later had a successful solo career. Weller wrote and sang most of The Jam’s original compositions, and he played lead guitar, using a Rickenbacker. Bruce Foxton provided backing vocals and prominent basslines, which were the foundation of many of the band’s songs, including the hits "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight", "The Eton Rifles", "Going Underground" and "Town Called Malice".
For artists called "Jam", please see http://www.last.fm/music/+noredirect/Jam.
All Around the World
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All over the country, we want a new direction
I said all over this land, we need a reaction
Well there should be a youth explosion
Inflate creation
But something we can command
What's the point in saying destroy?
We want a direction, all over the country
I said I want a reaction, all over this land
You g-got to get up and move it, a youth explosion
Because this is your last chance
Can't dismiss what is gone before
But there's foundations for us to explore
I said
All around the world I've been looking for a new
All around the world I've been looking for a new
Youth explosion
A new direction, ooh-ooh
We want a reaction, ooh-ooh
Inflate creation
Looking for new
All around the world I've been looking for a new
All around the world I've been looking for a new
You know, all around the world I've been looking for a new
All around the world I've been looking for a new
New, new
The Jam's "All Around the World" is a call to action, an anthem for the youth of Britain to demand change and a new direction for their country. The song begins with a rallying cry, "Oi!" before lead singer Paul Weller declares that all over the country, they want a new direction. He emphasizes that it is not just a local call, but something that should take place all over the land, requiring a reaction. Weller believes that there should be a youth explosion to propel change, something that they can command.
The chorus, "All around the world, I've been looking for a new youth explosion," reinforces the idea that they need something that can create a widespread change, not just a local movement. The song suggests that it is not enough to merely rebel and destroy what has come before. Instead, they need to find a new direction and establish new foundations to explore further.
The song overall is a rallying cry for the youth in Britain to come together and demand change. It highlights the frustration and disillusionment that many young people feel with their present situation and calling for a new approach altogether. The song is a powerful representation of the punk and new wave movement happening in Britain at the time, where musicians were using their platform to call for change and challenge the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
Oi!
An exclamation used to grab attention and express enthusiasm or frustration.
All over the country, we want a new direction
People are calling for change and a new path forward across the entire nation.
I said all over this land, we need a reaction
The singer emphasizes the urgency for people to take action and respond to the current state of affairs.
Well there should be a youth explosion
The artist advocates for a revolution sparked by the energy and enthusiasm of the younger generation.
Inflate creation
The artist envisions a burst of artistic and creative output from the youth movement.
But something we can command
The singer wants the youth movement to have direction and leadership, not just chaos.
What's the point in saying destroy?
The singer questions the usefulness of simply tearing things down without a constructive plan for rebuilding.
I want a new life for everywhere
The artist desires a fresh start and improved quality of life across all regions.
You g-got to get up and move it, a youth explosion
The artist urges the youth to take action and drive the revolutionary movement forward with their energy.
Because this is your last chance
The artist emphasizes the sense of urgency and the idea that a window of opportunity is closing.
Can't dismiss what is gone before
The singer acknowledges the importance of learning from history and not disregarding the past.
But there's foundations for us to explore
Despite the need for change, there are still valuable structures and ideas worth building upon.
All around the world I've been looking for a new
The singer has been searching for a fresh start and new direction on a global scale.
Youth explosion
The singer repeats the phrase to emphasize the importance of young people driving the movement.
A new direction, ooh-ooh
The singer restates the desire for a new path forward, adding an exclamation for emphasis.
We want a reaction, ooh-ooh
The artist restates the urgency for people to take action and respond to the call for change, adding an exclamation for emphasis.
Inflate creation
The artist again envisions a creative outburst as part of the revolution.
Looking for new
The singer reiterates the desire for fresh ideas and a new start.
All around the world I've been looking for a new
The singer repeats their search for a better path on a global scale.
New, new
The artist repeats the word to emphasize the desire for something fresh and different.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
imadinnerlady
I was around at the time and to be fair Marc Bolan was one of the only established artists who promoted punk, most of them tried to ridicule it because they were frightened it would signal the end of their careers. I've always respected him for that.
Granto 67
He was a mod
Gary Wood
@Granto 67 Probably one of the earliest mods to have the newspapers writing about him.
Gary Wood
Bolan took The Damned on tour with him 🙂
Granto 67
@Gary Wood they was my life the jam , but can't be Done with weller at all now have met Rick and Foxton who was a terrible bit Rick was a gent
Gary Wood
@Granto 67 I spilt lager down Bucklers suit and he was lovely about it.
My mate did a climb up the O2 Arena with him and he was a really top bloke
conductorinblack
A band that sounds the same live as they do on record is a real band. Awesome!
Joseph Duffy
This song still sounds as good as the first time I heard it 45 years ago
Richard Elson
The first single I bought. Aged 11. I still LOVE this track. Pure perfect power pop
crowhillian58
If ever there was a 70's clip showing the old wave passing the baton over to the new wave, then this is it!