I've Changed My Address
The Jam Lyrics


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Knew the time to leave had come when you pointed out your ring
Never could see what was in this matrimony thing
Baby, baby, baby you sure made a noise when I left
And your father started shouting lest you ironed my shirts
'fore I left
Would've liked to explain first but it was a split decision thing
Couldn't see me settling down with a mortgage and a kid
Now I hear you've been looking for me
Combing every single inch
You'll probably find me in Hyde Park
Try the hotel first then a bench
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
I didn't mean to make you cry but I know it's for the best
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
It's OK being in love girl, but then fun is second best
No one's gonna tie me down
Nobody tell me what to do
Don't you see I've got to be free
Sorry baby that's the way it is - get with me
I said maybe!
I didn't mean to break your heart and I know it's not your choice
Better think of it this way, there's other fools to entice
That's right!
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
I didn't mean to make you cry but I know it's for the best
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
It's OK being in love girl, but then fun is second best
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
I didn't mean to make you cry but I'm sure it's for the best




Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
It's OK being in love girl, but then fun is second best

Overall Meaning

The Jam's "I've Changed My Address" is a song about a man who has decided to leave his partner and start a new life. The man explains that he knew it was time to leave when he was asked about his ring and he never really understood marriage. He tells his partner that he did not mean to make her cry, but it's for the best. He wanted to be free and not settle down with a mortgage and a child. The man sings that he is now living somewhere else, and if his partner is looking for him, she might find him in Hyde Park- trying the hotel first then a bench.


It's clear that the man is not happy with the life he has been living, and he wants to find something new- something more exciting. He explains that fun is second best to being in love, and he doesn't want anybody to tie him down or tell him what to do. He wants to be free to make his own choices and live life as he pleases. Although he feels sorry for making his partner cry, he thinks it's better for both of them to move on.


Overall, the song captures the feeling of being stuck in something that doesn't make you happy and wanting to explore new opportunities. It's a message for those who feel trapped in their situation, encouraging them to take the leap and find something that makes their heart happy.


Line by Line Meaning

Knew the time to leave had come when you pointed out your ring
Realized it was time to end the relationship when you showed me your engagement ring


Never could see what was in this matrimony thing
Never understood the point of getting married


Baby, baby, baby you sure made a noise when I left
You made a scene when I broke up with you


And your father started shouting lest you ironed my shirts
Your father got upset and yelled at me before I left, in case you wouldn't iron my shirts anymore


'fore I left
Before I left


Would've liked to explain first but it was a split decision thing
I would have preferred to talk about it first, but I made a hasty decision


Couldn't see me settling down with a mortgage and a kid
Didn't want to commit to the responsibilities of having a family and owning a house


Now I hear you've been looking for me
I heard you've been trying to find me


Combing every single inch
Searching every possible place


You'll probably find me in Hyde Park
I'm likely to be in Hyde Park


Try the hotel first then a bench
If you can't find me, check the hotel and then look for me sitting on a bench


Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
I've moved and changed my address


I didn't mean to make you cry but I know it's for the best
I didn't intend to make you upset, but I believe it's for the best


It's OK being in love girl, but then fun is second best
It's great to be in love, but having fun should still be a priority


No one's gonna tie me down
I don't want anyone to restrain me


Nobody tell me what to do
I don't want anyone giving me orders


Don't you see I've got to be free
Can't you understand that I need to be free?


Sorry baby that's the way it is - get with me
Sorry, but that's just how I am


I said maybe!
I might consider getting back together, but it's not a sure thing


I didn't mean to break your heart and I know it's not your choice
I didn't intend to hurt you, and I understand that you didn't want the relationship to end


Better think of it this way, there's other fools to entice
You shouldn't dwell on the breakup, there are other people out there to pursue


That's right!
That's correct!




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

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

@amoreno8011

Knew the time to leave had come when you pointed out your ring
Never could see what was in this matrimony thing
Baby, baby, baby you sure made a noise when I left
And your father started shouting lest you ironed my shirts
'fore I left

Would've liked to explain first but it was a split decision thing
Couldn't see me settling down with a mortgage and a kid
Now I hear you've been looking for me
Combing every single inch
You'll probably find me in Hyde Park
Try the hotel first then a bench

Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
I didn't mean to make you cry but I know it's for the best
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
It's OK being in love girl, but then fun is second best

No one's gonna tie me down
Nobody tell me what to do
Don't you see I've got to be free
Sorry baby that's the way it isget with me
I said maybe!

I didn't mean to break your heart and I know it's not your choice
Better think of it this way, there's other fools to entice
That's right!

Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
I didn't mean to make you cry but I know it's for the best
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
It's OK being in love girl, but then fun is second best

Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
I didn't mean to make you cry but I'm sure it's for the best
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
It's OK being in love girl, but then fun is second best



All comments from YouTube:

@davidramonemorrison2652

Turned me into a Jam fan . Then seeing them at The Glasgow Apollo made me a fan for life.

@gabmod65

R&b at its best..sprinkled with punk and exuberance of youth...long live The Jam

@leighmcmorran9586

I played this album (the first one l ever bought) lately. It still pins me to the back wall. Superlative energy and style. 😎

@dazmalski

Anything off In The City really kicks butt arse. My favourite being "I Got By In Time" - but this is frakkin awesome! Thanks for the up!

@noisestar1

this the one that grabbed me and turned me into a Jam fan

@andrew2366

SAME!!!!!

@Dodgerzden

Me too. But Mr. Clean is what drove to them because they played it on the radio.

@southlondon63

in my teen i used to play this song and album all the time,after 2 failed marriages i should of took this song to heart me thinks

@Dodgerzden

At least you learned eventually.

@MJL3764

This first album still has so much energy ,33 years later

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