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.
Aunties and Uncles
The Jam Lyrics
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And people who like us
But keep us apart all the same
Friends and relations
We′re public relations
And we know in our hearts that we're
Playing a part, me and you
We don′t need 'em no more
And my confidence is coming
From the knowledge of knowing
Love is a-growing fast
Aunties and uncles
Who try to help us
By suggesting what they think is best
The people around me
Are looking for something
But I've become blind ′cause I′ve found what I'm looking for
One day they will see
One day only you and me
And my confidence is coming
From the knowledge of knowing
Love is a-growing fast
One day they will know
We don′t need 'em no more
And my confidence is coming
From the knowledge of knowing
Love is a-growing fast
Aunties and uncles
And people who like us
But keep us apart all the
Keep us apart all the
Keep us apart all the
Keep us apart all the same
The Jam's "Aunties and Uncles" is a song that laments the interference of well-meaning people, including family members, who try to dictate the course of a romantic relationship. The song speaks to the frustration and tension that can arise when third parties get involved in a romantic relationship. It points out the fact that these individuals may indeed be well-meaning, but their actions can end up pulling the couple apart.
The lyrics suggest that the couple is "playing a part" and "keeping up appearances" in order to please others like aunties and uncles, and other people who like them but keep them apart all the same. The couple feels they are merely public relations and are putting up a façade of a happy couple. Despite the interference of others, the couple remains optimistic about their love and the future. They are confident that one day their love will be recognized, and they will not need these aunties and uncles and the likes of them any longer.
Overall, the song is a reflection of the struggle to maintain individuality and agency within a relationship while constantly dealing with external pressures. It speaks to a universal human experience that many individuals can relate to when it comes to romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Aunties and uncles
Family members who are trying to be helpful but are actually keeping us apart from what we want
And people who like us
Other well-intentioned people around us who keep us away from what we truly desire
But keep us apart all the same
Despite their positive intentions, they are still blocking us from achieving our goals
Friends and relations
Our social circle consisting of family members and friends
We′re public relations
We are constantly trying to project a positive image to those around us
And we know in our hearts that we're
We are cognizant of the fact that we're not being true to ourselves
Playing a part, me and you
We are both pretending and living a false reality
One day they will know
Eventually, our friends and family will find out the truth
We don′t need 'em no more
At this point in the future, we will have moved on and will no longer require their support
And my confidence is coming
Our self-assurance is derived from realizing our true priorities
From the knowledge of knowing
Our newfound knowledge of what we truly desire is empowering us
Love is a-growing fast
Our love for each other is rapidly increasing
Who try to help us
Our family members try to be supportive
By suggesting what they think is best
However, their advice is based on their perspective, not ours
The people around me
Those in our proximity
Are looking for something
Our acquaintances are searching for something in their lives
But I've become blind ′cause I′ve found what I'm looking for
We have blinded ourselves to other possibilities because we are content with what we have found in each other
One day they will see
Eventually, our friends and family will discover our situation
One day only you and me
Eventually, all that will be left will be our love for each other
Keep us apart all the
Our loved ones are still causing distance between us
Keep us apart all the same
The barriers to our happiness are still in place
Writer(s): Paul John Weller
Contributed by Allison I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-hj8xg8gg5w
Loved this in 78, still play today, another amazing jam b side!!!
@chelseasteadman
im a 14-year0old girl listening to the jam in 2012.... this band rules!!!!!!
@jpc443
Are you still listening to The Jam now?
@raymonddavies8058
See the jam in 1979 1980 the best
@spanneroi
thanks for posting this I havent heard it in 20 years thanks again x x x
@Nicomagic6
Weller's guitar playing was stunning. It would have been easy to keep everything simple and simply strum but he knew and used the dynamics of the instrument to great effect. Sometimes you can hear him keeping the sound muted and ready to exlode, which it often does to great effect. Songbooks might show the same chord for four bars but when you play it you realise how inventive he could be.
@Spydababe
Love this always....:)
@terrytibbs5678
My uncle fiddled with me when I was young.
@welshman40sw
omg , i havent heard this yrs like
@MrRichowl1
Another example of a brilliant Jam B side.