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".
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In The Crowd
The Jam Lyrics
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My mind goes a blank, in the humid sunshine
When I'm in the crowd I don't see anything
I fall into a trance, at the supermarket
The noise flows me along, as I catch falling cans
Of baked beans on toast, technology is the most
And everyone seems just like me,
And their waiting for the change
When I'm in the crowd, I can't remember my name
And my only link is a pint of walls ice cream
When I'm in the crowd - I don't see anything
Sometimes I think that its a plot
An equilibrium melting pot
The government sponsors underhand
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowd
And everyone seems that they're acting a dream
Cause they're just not thinking about each other
And they're taking orders, which are media spawned
And they should know better, now you have been warned
And don't forget you saw it here first
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowd
And life just simply moves along
In simple houses, simple jobs
And no ones wanting for the change
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowd
The Jam's song "In The Crowd" speaks to the feeling of being lost in a crowd and the way society can sometimes feel like one big mindless entity. The lyrics mention feeling blank and in a trance while surrounded by people who seem to be struggling to free themselves, waiting for some sort of change. The idea of being in a supermarket and catching falling cans of baked beans on toast highlights the mundane and repetitive nature of everyday life.
The song suggests that there may be a hidden plot or agenda behind this sense of sameness and conformity. The line "The government sponsors underhand" hints at the idea that those in power may be manipulating the masses for their own gain. The song also critiques the media, suggesting that people are taking orders from media that is "media spawned" and not necessarily relying on their own critical thinking skills.
The song ends with the idea that life just simply moves along in simple houses and simple jobs, suggesting that people are content with being part of the crowd and not necessarily interested in changing the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
When I'm in the crowd, I don't see anything
The crowd is so overwhelming that it's hard to focus on anything specific
My mind goes a blank, in the humid sunshine
The experience is so overwhelming that it's hard to even think straight
I fall into a trance, at the supermarket
Everyday places like the supermarket become disorienting in a crowd
The noise flows me along, as I catch falling cans
The noise and chaos of the crowd is a force to be reckoned with, even as the everyday takes us by surprise
Of baked beans on toast, technology is the most
Even simple commodities like baked beans are now controlled by modern technology
And everyone seems just like me,
In the crowd, everyone seems to be sharing this same disorienting experience
They struggle hard to set themselves free
People are striving for individuality in a way that's limited by the overwhelming experience of the crowd
And their waiting for the change
Despite a lack of direction, people are waiting for something to happen
When I'm in the crowd, I can't remember my name
Individual identity starts to fade into the experience of the crowd
And my only link is a pint of walls ice cream
Even simple things like ice cream can seem like a lifeline in the overwhelming crowd
Sometimes I think that its a plot
There's a hint of conspiracy around the effect of the crowd
An equilibrium melting pot
The crowd is a cauldron of mixed influence
The government sponsors underhand
There's a sense that the government is somehow involved in the overwhelming effect of the crowd
And everyone seems that they're acting a dream
The group effect of the crowd means that everyone is acting a certain way, despite not necessarily agreeing with the action
Cause they're just not thinking about each other
Individual identity falls away, making it hard to connect with others in the crowd
And they're taking orders, which are media spawned
There's a sense of being controlled by the media in the crowd, with people taking orders to fit into the group
And they should know better, now you have been warned
Despite this sense of control, there's an acknowledgement that people should be able to see through it
And don't forget you saw it here first
A warning to remember the signs of crowd control
And life just simply moves along
Despite the chaos of the crowd, life still continues
In simple houses, simple jobs
Despite our striving for individuality, many people still lead lives of simplicity
And no ones wanting for the change
Despite the sense of waiting for something, people continue with their day-to-day lives
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind