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.
In The Street Today
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Murder on the terraces
And fools in high places
It's all so sickening
And we're so satisfied
In the street tonight
Hate on every pavement
Paranoia on shop doorways
And who can fucking blame them now
It's all so sickening, and we're so satisfied
The Jam's song "In the Street Today" is a powerful commentary about the state of society in the late 1970s in the UK. The opening lines depict the violence and chaos that were often witnessed in football (soccer) matches during the era, with "murder on the terraces." The lyrics suggest that hooliganism was one of the ways that young people were expressing their frustration and disillusionment with society. The next line, "fools in high places," points to the corruption and incompetence of those in authority, who were failing to address the issues facing the country.
The second verse continues the theme of societal breakdown, with "hate on every pavement" and "paranoia on shop doorways" suggesting that fear and anger were pervasive in everyday life. The line "the kids want some action" reveals a sense of restlessness and desire for change among the youth, who were tired of feeling powerless and ignored. The final line, "it's all so sickening, and we're so satisfied," captures the contradictions of the era - people were aware of the problems but lacked the will or ability to effect change.
Line by Line Meaning
In the street today
As we walk around in the present moment, we encounter a dark reality in our surroundings.
Murder on the terraces
Violence and death occur in the stands of the local football stadium, showcasing the brutality of society.
And fools in high places
People with power and influence act recklessly and make decisions that harm the common person, showing the corrupt nature of those in authority.
It's all so sickening
The rampant negativity and destructive acts happening within society make us feel disgusted and hopeless about our future.
And we're so satisfied
Despite the horrors and injustices happening around us, we still feel content and comfortable with our own lives and privileges.
In the street tonight
As the sun sets and darkness falls, the dangers and chaos of the world only become more pronounced.
Hate on every pavement
The streets are filled with hostility and intolerance, and prejudices are perpetuated and acted upon with no remorse.
Paranoia on shop doorways
Fear and suspicion are rampant, and people constantly feel as if they are being watched or targeted for harm.
The kids want some action
The youth are growing restless and bored with their stagnant surroundings, and crave some sort of excitement or change.
And who can fucking blame them now
Given the state of the world and the lack of opportunities or resources available, it's understandable why the younger generation would feel disillusioned and want to rebel against the status quo.
It's all so sickening, and we're so satisfied
Once again, we're reminded of the bleak reality of our society, yet we still remain complacent and disengaged with the problems around us.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER, DAVID GORDON WALLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Al Just Al
Paul Weller's skills are well-known, and Rick Buckler is a damn-good drummer, but check out the semi-distorted, all-over-the-fretboard Rickenbacker bass (left channel) hammered out by Bruce Foxton. He's nothing short of amazing. Though you can't see it, he's doing all of this while hitting the backing vocals dead-on (lead on "Don't Tell Them You're Sane") and incessantly jumping around as well. Unreal.
Starkicker
Magic.