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".
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Life from a Window
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just dreaming
Up here I can see the world,
Ooh, sometimes it don't look nice - that's OK
Life from a window, I'm just taking in the view
Life from a window, observing everything around you
Staring at a grey sky, try to paint it blue,
teenage blue
They tell you something on Sunday, but come Monday they've
changed their minds
I'm looking from a skyscraper
I'm standing on the Post Office tower -
So I can see - all there is to see
The Jam's poignant lyrics in Life from a Window convey the duality of life - one's brilliant moments juxtaposed with the darker ones that can be seen from a hilltop or lighthouse. The opening line, "Looking from a hill top, watching from a lighthouse," establishes this contrast. The persona then remarks on his ability to dream while up high, while simultaneously remarking that the view of the world he often sees isn't always pleasant. However, he accepts this fact and finds solace in the viewpoint as it provides him with clarity, insight, and a deeper understanding of the intricacies of life.
The refrain of "Life from a window, I'm just taking in the view, Life from a window, observing everything around you," highlights the persona's detached yet observant nature. He's an outsider, removed from society and everything that surrounds him, yet astute enough to understand and critique the people he watches. The reference to teenage blue can be a nod at how things appear dystopian to adolescent eyes, but he acknowledges this is part of the reality of life's spectrum.
The second verse layers an even darker tone. The persona sings about the hypocrisy of people around him who are quick to espouse one belief but change their minds when it becomes inconvenient. Despite this, he doesn't become jaded but continues to observe everything through the windows of the world, climbing skyscrapers and standing on post office towers to improve his sight. Ultimately, the song portrays a sense of discontentment with the world while appreciating its beauty and encouraging people to observe and reflect upon it.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking from a hill top, watching from a lighthouse, Just dreaming
I am gazing from high, from atop nature and afar, lost in thought
Up here I can see the world, Ooh, sometimes it don't look nice - that's OK
From this vantage point I can perceive the universe, sometimes unflattering aspects presented- it's alright
Life from a window, I'm just taking in the view Life from a window, observing everything around you
This is perceiving existence from behind glass, simply absorbing the image, noticing all around you
Staring at a grey sky, try to paint it blue, teenage blue
I look at the dismal sky, attempting to alter its shade to bright blue, the hue of youth
Some people that you see around you, tell you how devoted they are They tell you something on Sunday, but come Monday they've changed their minds
Individuals you encounter claim their loyalty, professing certain ideals on one day, yet retracting their statements the next
I'm looking from a skyscraper I'm standing on the Post Office tower - So I can see - all there is to see
I am observing from towering heights, situated on the Post Office spire- enabling me to perceive everything there is
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
pradaman307
Out of all The Jam's singles and album tracks-THIS IS MY FAVOURITE- BRILLIANT
Paul MacDonnell
In my view, it's their masterpiece.
Jim Halliday
Just another one 👍😉👊
Adrian DeVore
Along with Funeral Pyre for me.
Kyle Fiske
In my view, as well.
Music L0ver
I love this Jam song. I used to listen to them a lot many years ago but not so much now. I come back to this one and a couple of others every now and then, like Fly, Liza Radley and Thick as Thieves.
Harvey Gnomegrinder
Can't play it loud enough.
GOA GOA
My favourite Jam tune .
dyerblue
Great song from a much under rated album :)
Adrian DeVore
I had this LP when I was in junior high school and even decorated one of my sweatshirts like Paul Weller did to his sweater on the cover. Great tune!