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.
Just Who Is the Five O
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Covered in shit and aches and pains
Too knackered to think, so give me time to come round
Just gimme the living room beat to the TV sound
My hard earned dough goes in bills and the larder
And that Prince Philip tells us we gotta work harder
It seems a constant struggle just to exist
From this window I've seen the whole world pass
From dawn to dusk I've heard the last laugh laughed
I've seen enough tears to wash away this street
I've heard wedding bells chime and a funeral march
When as one life finishes another one starts
Alright then, love, so I'll be off now
It's back to the lunch box and worker-management rows
There's gotta be more to this old life then this
Scrimping and saving and crossing of lists
The Jam's Just Who Is the 5 O'Clock Hero? is a song that examines the life of a working-class man struggling to make a living. The lyrics paint a picture of a weary man returning home from work, covered in dirt and sweat, too exhausted to think. He's frustrated with the constant struggle just to exist, with his hard-earned money going towards bills and food. The chorus asks the question, "Who is the 5 o'clock hero?" seemingly referring to the myth of the hardworking man who rises early and works tirelessly to provide for his family.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the view from his window, watching the world pass him by. He's seen it all, from the joy of wedding bells to the sadness of funeral marches. Yet despite this, he feels trapped in a cycle of work and struggle, with no end in sight. The song ends with the singer expressing his desire for more out of life, feeling like there must be something more than just "scrimping and saving and crossing off lists."
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, darlin', I'm home again
The singer has returned home and is addressing their significant other.
Covered in shit and aches and pains
The singer had a difficult and exhausting day at work.
Too knackered to think, so give me time to come round
The singer needs time to rest and recover from their taxing workday.
Just gimme the living room beat to the TV sound
The artist wants to relax and watch TV on the couch.
My hard earned dough goes in bills and the larder
The artist has to spend all their money on necessary expenses like bills and groceries.
And that Prince Philip tells us we gotta work harder
The singer is frustrated with the constant pressure to work harder and earn more money.
It seems a constant struggle just to exist
The singer feels like they are just barely getting by and surviving.
Scrimping and saving and crossing of lists
The artist has to constantly focus on being frugal and budgeting their money.
From this window I've seen the whole world pass
The artist has a view of the world from their window and has watched people and events pass by.
From dawn to dusk I've heard the last laugh laughed
The artist has experienced the last moments of the day and has heard people laughing.
I've seen enough tears to wash away this street
The singer has witnessed so much sadness and grief that it could wash the street clean.
I've heard wedding bells chime and a funeral march
The artist has heard the sounds of both weddings and funerals from their window.
When as one life finishes another one starts
The singer has observed the cycle of life and death through their window.
Alright then, love, so I'll be off now
The singer is saying goodbye to their significant other.
It's back to the lunch box and worker-management rows
The singer is resigned to return to their job and the conflicts that arise with their superiors.
There's gotta be more to this old life then this
The artist is questioning the purpose and meaning of their life.
Scrimping and saving and crossing of lists
The artist is again describing the constant need to budget and save money.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris Morrison
Hello darlin', I'm home again
Covered in shit and aches and pains
Too knackered to think so give me time to come round
Just gimme the living room beat to the TV sound
My hard earned dough goes in bills and the larder
And that Prince Philip tells us we gotta work harder!
It seems a constant struggle just to exist
Scrimping and saving and crossing of lists
From this window I've seen the whole world pass
From dawn to dusk I've heard the last laugh laughed
I've seen enough tears to wash away this street
I've heard wedding bells chime and a funeral march
When as one life finishes another one starts
From this window I've seen the whole world pass
From dawn to dusk I've heard the last laugh laughed
I've seen enough tears to wash away this street
I've heard wedding bells chime and a funeral march
When as one life finishes another one starts
Alright then love so I'll be off now
It's back to the lunchbox and workermanagement rows
There's gotta be more to this old life then this
Scrimping and saving and crossing of lists
BoxMeister
This song is so hauntingly realistic, I think that's why I love this band so much, they don't beat around the bush :)
Icon Canada
Agreed it grabs at you
Janey17
Love this band...Weller is just brilliant!
Paul
"Just gimme the living room beat to the tv sound..." Just love Weller, Foxton and Buckler.
toad73
Paul just give me the living room beat to the tv sound
Paul
@toad73 Yes, much better than my version.
Jason D.
This album came out just before I began secondary school. The memories? Don't get me started. F'ckin' choon.
Ja Rat
Best, Song. Ever....
Chris Morrison
Hello darlin', I'm home again
Covered in shit and aches and pains
Too knackered to think so give me time to come round
Just gimme the living room beat to the TV sound
My hard earned dough goes in bills and the larder
And that Prince Philip tells us we gotta work harder!
It seems a constant struggle just to exist
Scrimping and saving and crossing of lists
From this window I've seen the whole world pass
From dawn to dusk I've heard the last laugh laughed
I've seen enough tears to wash away this street
I've heard wedding bells chime and a funeral march
When as one life finishes another one starts
From this window I've seen the whole world pass
From dawn to dusk I've heard the last laugh laughed
I've seen enough tears to wash away this street
I've heard wedding bells chime and a funeral march
When as one life finishes another one starts
Alright then love so I'll be off now
It's back to the lunchbox and workermanagement rows
There's gotta be more to this old life then this
Scrimping and saving and crossing of lists
Icon Canada
Makes me sad. I miss The Jam