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 Jamโs 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 bandโs 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.
Little Boy Soldiers
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our only contact was a form for the election
These days I find that you don't listen
These days I find that were out of touch
These days I find that I'm too busy
So why the attention now you want my assistance
What have you done for me
No you want me to help you out
These days I find that I can't be bothered
These days I find that its all too much
To pick up a gun and shoot a stranger
But I've got no choice so here I come war games
I'm up on the hills playing little boy soldiers
Reconnaissance duty up at 5:30
Shoot shoot shoot and kill the natives
You're one of us and we love you for that
Think of honor queen and country
You're a blessed son of the British empire
Gods on our side and so is Washington
Come out on the hills with the little boy soldiers
Come on outside I'll sing you a lullaby
Or tell a tale of how goodness prevailed
We ruled the world we killed and robbed
The fucking lot but we don't feel bad
It was done beneath the flag of democracy
You'll believe and I do yes I do yes I do
Yes I do
These days I find that I can't be bothered
To argue with them well what's the point
Better to take your shots and drop down dead
Then they send you home in a pine overcoat
With a letter to your mum
Saying find enclosed one son one medal and a note
To say he won
The Jam's song "Little Boy Soldiers" is a commentary on the dehumanizing effects of war, nationalism, and imperialism. The lyrics take on a bitter and ironic tone as the singer reflects on the hypocrisy and callousness of those who cheer patriotic slogans and violent imagery, all while neglecting or exploiting the actual soldiers who are sent to fight and die. The first stanza sets up the central conflict, where the singer is approached by someone who previously had no interest in them but now wants their help. The refrain "What have you done for me?" mocks the superficiality of this request, implying that the person only cares about them because they need a favor.
The second stanza shifts to the singer's own feelings of detachment and exhaustion. They can't be bothered to engage with the person who approached them, and they sarcastically suggest that the easiest way to deal with conflict is to simply shoot the enemy. The line "But I've got no choice so here I come war games" highlights the lack of agency and autonomy that soldiers often face, especially in situations where they feel morally conflicted or uncertain. The third stanza then introduces the climactic scene of the little boy soldiers on the hills, engaging in "reconnaissance duty" that involves killing the "natives." The juxtaposition of childlike innocence and adult violence adds another layer of irony and critique, as does the use of patriotic slogans ("Think of honor queen and country") and religious symbolism ("Gods on our side").
Overall, "Little Boy Soldiers" is a scathing indictment of militarism and nationalism, showing how they can warp and destroy human relationships and values. The song's structure and tone reinforce this message, with a catchy and upbeat melody that contrasts with the cynical and bitter lyrics. The Jam were known for their socially conscious and politically engaged music, and this song is a prime example of their commitment to speaking truth to power.
Line by Line Meaning
Its funny how you never knew what my name was
You never bothered to get to know me personally
Our only contact was a form for the election
Our only interaction was during the election when you wanted my vote
These days I find that you don't listen
You don't show interest in what I have to say
These days I find that were out of touch
We have lost touch and no longer communicate
These days I find that I'm too busy
I have a lot going on and cannot spare the time for you
So why the attention now you want my assistance
You only show interest in me when you need my help
What have you done for me
You haven't done anything to earn my help or attention
You've gone and got yourself in trouble
You have put yourself in a difficult situation
No you want me to help you out
Now you expect me to come to your aid
These days I find that I can't be bothered
I am too tired and disillusioned to care
These days I find that its all too much
The world's problems are overwhelming and exhausting
To pick up a gun and shoot a stranger
I don't want to have to resort to violence against an enemy
But I've got no choice so here I come war games
But I am forced to participate in a war that I don't want to fight
I'm up on the hills playing little boy soldiers
I'm in the military, fighting a war that I don't understand
Reconnaissance duty up at 5:30
I am up early to perform reconnaissance for the military
Shoot shoot shoot and kill the natives
I am being ordered to kill innocent people
You're one of us and we love you for that
The military sees me as part of their group and praises me for following orders
Think of honor queen and country
Think of the pride and loyalty you owe to your country
You're a blessed son of the British empire
You are fortunate to be part of the powerful British empire
Gods on our side and so is Washington
We are convinced that God and the United States stand with us in this war
Come out on the hills with the little boy soldiers
Join me in fighting a war that I don't fully understand
Come on outside I'll sing you a lullaby
I will try to give you comfort from the horrors of war
Or tell a tale of how goodness prevailed
I will try to inspire you with stories of victory in war
We ruled the world we killed and robbed
We dominated the world and committed acts of violence and theft
The fucking lot but we don't feel bad
We did all these things, but we don't feel guilty
It was done beneath the flag of democracy
We justified our actions as promoting democracy
You'll believe and I do yes I do yes I do
I am convinced that our actions were justified
These days I find that I can't be bothered
I am tired and disillusioned with the world's problems
To argue with them well what's the point
I don't see the point in arguing with people who disagree with me
Better to take your shots and drop down dead
It's better to die in battle than to live with the world's problems
Then they send you home in a pine overcoat
If you die in battle, you will be sent home in a coffin
With a letter to your mum
Your family will receive a letter notifying them of your death
Saying find enclosed one son one medal and a note
Your family will receive a medal and a note of condolences
To say he won
The letter will inform your family that you died while serving your country
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul John Weller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@McGrogansSchool
Great record. The Jam were some band. This record has it all. Thick as thieves is a personal favourite. The cover of the album is mythical.
@willowman7721
, Setting Sons. Best album I ever bought. The Jam never grow old .
@alihart
It's true to say that there is an element of Setting Sons being a rushed effort, but that year we had Strange Town, The Butterfly Collector(as a B side!) and When You're Young. Astonishing and consistently high quality output for the year I'd say.
@mjosiebert
Takes me back to the first moment I heard this and they are still at it and the people still cheer!
@debbiedudt9565
Another brilliant Jam song - love the arrangement! The Jam experimenting - great stuff!
@rayjones5915
"Find enclosed 1 son 1 medal" Outstanding lyrics stns
@andrewfranzle8243
Was my favorite jam album for years teetering back and forth with mod cons and sound affects. Classic Weller at his best supported by the best fucking band in the land, rick bruce and papa john. One of the grear live bands i have ever seen and love them still as a 50 year old man.Succumb to the beat surrender.
@granto6712
Well said
@royarmstrong6098
57 years old and I've seen a lot. Still one of my top 3 gigs ever. Carlisle market hall, briliiant.
@granto6712
Amazing stuff best band for me ever mis them