Song profile
"Going Underground" was not released on any of the band's six studio albums initially, although it has appeared on many compilation/re-releases since then. The single's B-side was "Dreams of Children", which had originally been intended to be the A-side; following a mix-up at the pressing plant, the single became a double-A-side, and DJs tended to choose the more melodic "Going Underground" to play on the radio.
The song provided the inspiration for the Nemesis the Warlock character in the weekly comic book 2000 AD. The song was parodied in 2004 by the Amateur Transplants as "London Underground", a humorous song full of abuse at the London Underground Strike. It was also turned into "Go England" by Virgin Radio for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In March 2005, Q magazine placed "Going Underground" at number 73 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks, and in October 2006 placed it at number 98 in their list of the 100 Greatest Songs Ever.
Going Underground
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm quite happy with what I got
People might say that I should strive for more, but
I'm so happy I can't see the point
Something's happening here today
A show of strength with your boy's brigade
And I'm so happy and you're so kind
You want more money, of course I don't mind
And the public gets what the public wants
But I want nothing this society's got
I'm going underground (going underground)
Well, if the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Going underground (going underground)
Well, let the boys all sing and let the boys all shout for tomorrow
Some people might get some pleasure out of hate
Me, I've enough already on my plate
People might need some tension to relax
Me? I'm too busy dodging between the flak
What you see is what you get
You've made your bed, you better lie in it
You choose your leaders and place your trust
As their lies wash you down and their promises rust
You'll see kidney machines replaced by rockets and guns
And the public wants what the public gets
But I don't get what this society wants
I'm going underground (going underground)
Well, if the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Going underground (going underground)
So let the boys all sing and let the boys all shout for tomorrow
(Oh) la-la-la-la
(Oh) la-la-la-la
We talk and we talk until my head explodes
I turn on the news and my body froze
These braying sheep on my TV screen
Make this boy shout, make this boy scream
Going underground
I'm going underground
I'm going underground
I'm going underground
(Oh) la-la-la-la
(Oh) la-la-la-la
(Oh) la-la-la-la
(Oh) la-la-la-la
Braying sheep on my TV screen
Make this boy shout, make this boy scream
Going underground (going underground)
Well, if the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Going underground (going underground)
Well, let the boys all sing and let the boys all shout
Going underground (going underground)
Well, if the brass bands play and feet go pound-pound-pound
Going underground (going underground)
So let the boys all sing and let the boys all shout for tomorrow
The Jam's "Going Underground" is a punk rock protest song that highlights the feelings of frustration, disillusionment, and a general lack of direction in society. The singer of the song is content with his life, but he recognizes that other people may expect him to strive for more. The song suggests that society values materialism and violence, as evidenced by the desire for nuclear textbooks for "atomic crimes" and the replacement of "kidney machines" with "rockets and guns". The chorus, "I'm going underground," can be interpreted as the singer's rejection of these societal values and his desire to escape them.
The song also comments on politics and the media. The line "You choose your leaders and place your trust, as their lies wash you down and their promises rust" suggests that politicians cannot be trusted to keep their promises. The singer also takes issue with the portrayal of society in the media, referring to the "braying sheep" on his TV screen that make him want to "shout" and "scream".
Overall, "Going Underground" presents a bleak view of society, but the singer also expresses his hope for a better future. The final line, "let the boys all sing and let the boys all shout for tomorrow," suggests that change is possible if people come together and demand it.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people might say my life is in a rut
There are those who may think my life is stagnant
I'm quite happy with what I got
But I am content with what I have
People might say that I should strive for more, but
Others may suggest that I seek greater success, however
I'm so happy I can't see the point
I am so content that I do not see the need to strive for more
Something's happening here today
There is something occurring at this moment
A show of strength with your boy's brigade
A demonstration of power with the involvement of young men
And I'm so happy and you're so kind
And I am content and you are pleasant
You want more money, of course I don't mind
You desire additional money, which I do not object to
To buy nuclear textbooks for atomic crimes
To purchase books on nuclear technology for destructive purposes
And the public gets what the public wants
The masses receive what they demand
But I want nothing this society's got
But I do not desire anything available in this society
I'm going underground (going underground)
I am escaping the mainstream (going underground)
Well, if the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Even if music is being played loudly
Going underground (going underground)
I am still going underground
Well, let the boys all sing and let the boys all shout for tomorrow
Let the young men sing and shout about their future
Some people might get some pleasure out of hate
Some may find pleasure in hatred
Me, I've enough already on my plate
But I already have enough to handle in my life
People might need some tension to relax
Others may require conflict to unwind
Me? I'm too busy dodging between the flak
But I am too preoccupied with avoiding difficulties
What you see is what you get
You receive what you perceive
You've made your bed, you better lie in it
You must deal with the consequences of your choices
You choose your leaders and place your trust
You select your authorities and have faith in them
As their lies wash you down and their promises rust
As their deceitful words wash over you and their vows prove false
You'll see kidney machines replaced by rockets and guns
You will witness machines designed to save lives substituted for weapons of war
And the public wants what the public gets
The masses receive what they demand
But I don't get what this society wants
But I do not understand what this society desires
We talk and we talk until my head explodes
We converse and converse until my mind is overwhelmed
I turn on the news and my body froze
I watch the news and feel paralyzed
These braying sheep on my TV screen
These mindless, follower-like individuals on my television
Make this boy shout, make this boy scream
Cause me to yell and grow frustrated
Going underground (going underground)
I am escaping the mainstream (going underground)
Well, if the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Even if music is being played loudly
So let the boys all sing and let the boys all shout for tomorrow
Allow the young men to sing and shout about a better future
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul John Weller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@douglasparkinson4123
the switch from "the public gets what the public wants" to "the public wants what the public gets" is underrated genius
@chrisgaulding4820
I read this comment as he sang the second line... that is "genius lyrics"
@Jonescan55
Well spotted
@shandywarhol4444
As is Weller!! Kx
@lockhimup8328
Nothing about this band is "underrated".
Genius...yes... Underrated..No.
@ccmogs5757
Genius songwriter WELLER :)
@Cavollin
This single showed their popularity at the time. Straight to number 1 without being played on the radio. Pure class
@peterowen9183
Chart sales based on pre-orders by shops, and this one had a free live EP bundled with it, which probably helped. Not knocking it - went up to WH Smiths at lunchtime (from school) to listen to the chart run-down and when this was announced as the first straight-in at Number One since Slade, we were in tears. Incredible moment.
@cheyennebrennan966
Being a 2000's baby, I never really had much exposure to this sort of music. Then I randomly heard it in an advert one day, and was INSTANTLY hooked - I HAD to know more about this band! And through my exploration of theirs, and Paul's other work, it opened the door to the absolute wonderland that is music of the 60s/70s/80s.
Thank you, the Jam! ❤❤
@iw496
Down in the tube station at midnight is one of my all time favourite songs