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 Jamβs 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 bandβs 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.
Art School
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't need permission for everything that you want
Any taste that you feel is right
Wear any clothes just as long as they're bright
Say what you want, 'cos this is a new art school
Do what you want if it takes your mind
Better do it now, 'cos you won't have time
And never worry if people laugh at you
The fools only laugh 'cos they envy you
Time is motion and the hands are fast
Young words are mumbled, they don't always last
It's up to us to be sure they understand
Who makes the rules that make people select
Who is to judge that your ways are correct
The media as watchdog is absolute shit
The TV telling you what to think
Anything that you want to do, anyplace that you want to go
Don't need permission for everything that you want
Any taste that you feel is right
Wear any clothes just as long as they're bright
Say what you want, 'cos this is a new art school
Do what you want, 'cos this is the new art school
The Jam's song "Art School" encourages individuality and creativity in a world where conformity and judgement are prevalent. The lyrics suggest that one can do anything they want to do without fear of judgement or ridicule. It is a call to action for people to pursue their passions and express themselves freely without seeking permission or validation from others. The song is a tribute to the punk movement, which was built on the idea of rejecting mainstream society and creating a new counterculture.
The opening lines "Anything that you want to do, anyplace that you want to go, Don't need permission for everything that you want" set the tone of the song. It encourages listeners to disregard societal norms and pursue their desires without seeking approval from others. The lyrics "Say what you want, 'cos this is a new art school, Do what you want if it takes your mind, Better do it now, 'cos you won't have time" urge listeners to take action now and not wait for the approval of others.
The song also critiques mainstream media and its role in shaping societal norms. The lyrics "The media as watchdog is absolute shit, The TV telling you what to think" suggest that mainstream media is not a trustworthy source of information and often limits people's creativity and individuality.
Overall, "Art School" is a powerful anthem that encourages listeners to break free from societal norms and pursue their passions without fear of judgement or ridicule.
Line by Line Meaning
Anything that you want to do, anyplace that you want to go
You shouldn't let anyone tell you where or what you can do
Don't need permission for everything that you want
You have the right to do whatever you want without asking for anyone's approval
Any taste that you feel is right
You can express yourself in any way you want, as long as it feels right to you
Wear any clothes just as long as they're bright
You can dress as uniquely and creatively as you want
Say what you want, 'cos this is a new art school
The world is your platform to voice your thoughts and opinions as a form of art
Do what you want if it takes your mind
You should do what makes you happy and fulfills your desires
Better do it now, 'cos you won't have time
Time is limited and you should take the opportunities to express yourself while you still can
And never worry if people laugh at you
Don't let other people's opinions affect your self-expression
The fools only laugh 'cos they envy you
Those who judge and criticize you are simply envious and unable to express their individuality
Time is motion and the hands are fast
Time flies by quickly and it's important to take action and express yourself
Young words are mumbled, they don't always last
The words of young people are often discredited, but their ideas and expressions are important nonetheless
It's up to us to be sure they understand
It's our responsibility to ensure that our ideas and expressions are heard and understood by others
Who makes the rules that make people select
Society creates strict rules that restrict individual expression
Who is to judge that your ways are correct
There is no one who can judge that your individual expression is right or wrong
The media as watchdog is absolute shit
The media serves as a poor watchdog for what is right or wrong in terms of self-expression
The TV telling you what to think
The media tries to control and manipulate your thoughts and beliefs
Do what you want, 'cos this is the new art school
The world is your canvas to express your thoughts and ideas in your own way
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brad Hill
I love this song. So raw, angry. and relentless in its groove. Great track.
matt bessant
Got this album from a friend when i was 13, im now 45 and still rockin this! keeps me young'..........
GravityBoy72
This was great album. Primitive and basic sound compared to later albums but still just great. Oh god... I miss being young.
Matt G
Brilliant piece of work, both musically and lyrically. They dropped this at the height of the punk movement.
Robert Amato
Seen them live twice in the late seventies in NYC kick ass punk right there
Austin Thyme
First punk/new wave song I ever heard, late at night, in a car...I was hooked.
Albums -
legendario tema.
DannyBoyo68
Great song.
Hunter Tidwell
Never mind the sex pistols heres the jam
Oscar Hedge
Brilliant