The Jam was a punk/mod revival group formed in Woking, England in 1972 cons… Read Full Bio ↴The Jam was a punk/mod revival group formed in Woking, England in 1972 consisting of Paul Weller (vocals, guitar), Bruce Foxton (bass, vocals) and Rick Buckler (drums). The band split in 1982. The band released six albums and had 18 consecutive Top 40 hits in the United Kingdom between 1977 and 1982, including four #1 singles (Going Underground, Start!, Town Called Malice and Beat Surrender). Their singles "That's Entertainment" and "Just Who Is the Five O'Clock Hero" are the best selling import singles in UK history.

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.

Liza Radley
The Jam Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Liza Radley, see the girl with long hair
See her creeping 'cross summer lawns at midnight
And all the people in the town where we live say she's not quite right
She don't fit in with a small town
They just can't understand why she's doesn't stay in hospital
In a darkened room it's for their lives only she cries
Liza Radley, see her jump through loneliness
Liza Radley, take me when you go

And as the people pass by, their heads in the air
On to with their life's, she records a lonely sigh,
But no matter what they say, in her mind she knows,
Their dream of life they won't never find

And all the people in the town where we live say she's not quite right
She don't fit in with a small town
They just can't understand she's doesn't stay in hospital
In a darkened room it's for their lives only she cries.
Liza Radley, I pledge myself to you alone.

But she kissed my face and said Love means nothing at all
She kissed my face and said Life means nothing at all

Overall Meaning

"Liza Radley" is a song by The Jam, and it tells the story of a girl who doesn't fit in with her small town. She is considered to be "not quite right" by the people who live there, and they can't understand why she doesn't stay in the hospital. The song portrays Liza as a misunderstood and lonely individual who jumps through loneliness, searching for something that she cannot find.

The lyrics suggest that Liza is living a life that is not fulfilling, despite what the other townspeople may think. She records "a lonely sigh" and knows that their dream of life "they won't never find". Liza Radley is simply trying to find something more in life, but instead of being supported or helped, she is ostracized and left to fend for herself.

The chorus of the song features Liza's plea for someone to take her away, to which the singer replies, "I pledge myself to you alone." However, Liza responds with, "Love means nothing at all" and "Life means nothing at all," suggesting that she has lost all hope and has given up on finding fulfillment.

Overall, "Liza Radley" is a poignant and thought-provoking song about the struggles of individuals who don't fit into society's mold, and how they are often left behind or misunderstood.

Line by Line Meaning

Liza Radley, see the girl with long hair
Introducing Liza Radley, a girl with long hair

See her creeping 'cross summer lawns at midnight
Liza Radley is wandering around during midnight, probably feeling lonely

And all the people in the town where we live say she's not quite right
People in the town we live can't relate with Liza Radley's way of life and behaviour

She don't fit in with a small town
Liza Radley is an outcast and doesn't fit in with a small town

They just can't understand why she's doesn't stay in hospital
The people in the town are not aware of why Liza Radley doesn't like hospitals

In a darkened room it's for their lives only she cries
Liza Radley cries in a dark room until the town's people can't hear her

Liza Radley, see her jump through loneliness
Liza Radley is trying to escape her overwhelming feelings of loneliness

Liza Radley, take me when you go
The singer wants to leave with Liza Radley

And as the people pass by, their heads in the air
The people in the town are oblivious to Liza Radley's struggles

On to with their life's, she records a lonely sigh,
Liza Radley records a sigh, further expressing her loneliness

But no matter what they say, in her mind she knows,
Regardless of what people say, Liza Radley knows what's right for her.

Their dream of life they won't never find
The people in the town won't find their ideal life if they continue judging others

Liza Radley, I pledge myself to you alone.
The singer commits to being with Liza Radley, providing support but may not fully understand her experiences

But she kissed my face and said Love means nothing at all
Liza Radley implies that love is probably not what she needs presently

She kissed my face and said Life means nothing at all
Liza Radley is suggesting that her life has no meaning or purpose

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@benmacklin9009

3y↑35

I miss my youth so much. Button down shirts, two tone trousers, jam shoes and a fishtail parka. Lambretta’s, vespa’s The Jam and quadraphenia . Life was so good, hassle free. Today it’s PS 5 and gangs and drugs. Life was so much better back then.

@mbrady2329

3y↑1

To be honest, the drugs were around then ('though not all of the same ones), and so were the knives and gangs; the main difference is that young people still valued their lives, and didn't go 'round stabbing one another with lethal intent. The late 1970s and early 1980s could be tough, and random violence from strangers was more commonplace, but there was much more optimism amongst the youth than there is now.

@anthonykerr311

3y↑1

I love the jam shoes I got a pair from Shelley's shoes store Carnaby Street 1978

@bustertheboxer1343

2y↑1

Dennis Waterman R.I.P.

@bustertheboxer1343

Seems like yesterday. Wish I could turn the clock back. Those were the days my friend..

@shaunshunt

@@mbrady2329 bet you’re fun at a party 😂

4 More Replies...

@Mod-rw9cw

5y↑64

The best B side ever written most bands would give their right arms for a song as good as this.Another underplayed piece of brilliance from the best band in the world.

@frankiefrench7325

2y↑3

I had the jam forced upon me as a kid by my dad . I was born in 85 so my old man was possessed with the jam . I ended up swanning about with a guitar and bowling shoes on ! What a time to be alive !!! Thanks dad !!

@SKYSAW59

1y↑2

Forgetting Smiths B Sides, are we?

@Robster65

1y↑1

@@frankiefrench7325 lucky lad

@stevehughes2731

50w

@@SKYSAW59smiths were shit

@johnnyblade4351

2y↑8

This song Is & has always been my favourite along with the Place I Love'' I missed them in the day but an awesome 3 piece. Still Fresh. 50 odd years on

@paulwales2867

50w

the place I love is brilliant but I'd not heard this b4 today, may need a few plays

@adamdickson1404

5y↑38

This track haunts me so much, having listened to it for the first time in decades. I'm reminded of my youth and the special place Paul Weller and The Jam had in my mind at the time. Such a gifted poet and songwriter, I was lucky enough to meet one night at Portsmouth Guildhall.

@johnsrome8459

4y↑1

Adam, had pretty much the same reaction! I was 9 years old in 1977, the year I was introduced to The Jam by my older brother & instantly fell in love with the music. Don't laugh, but I remember him & I jumping up & down, playing pretend guitars with tennis rackets to 'This Is The Modern World' LP. Unfortunately, I never got to meet them (I hear Bruce Foxton is a particularly nice bloke. A very underrated bass player too! Listen to his work on 'Down in a Tube station at Midnight', for example). Anyway, rambling. The Jam were sublime. A very special part of my youth too, mate! I haven't heard this track in decades. It's still brilliant. Best wishes.

@AnyoneCanSee

4y↑3

@@johnsrome8459 - Same here. 9 in 1977 and collected their singles. But when I moved to London, I live in the same street and Palu Weller and used to see him every few days. He used to play in Holland Palk with his kid. I once went to get my hair cut and his kid was next to me getting his hair cut crying with him standing there trying to calm him down. I never said hello as I literally never saw him in a good mood in the two years I lived there. Intense kind of guy, I guess. I once saw him shouting at his kid in the park and he took the kids ice cream and threw it in the bin. I don't know what the kid did but that seemed messed up to me. Anyway it's online now.

@johnsrome8459

@@AnyoneCanSee Thanks for the reply & your story. That's interesting about Paul. Actually, it sounds like he was a bit of an arse (I can't stand any form of aggression against children. No excuses). I imagine your experiences kinda put you off his music? (As you know, I loved The Jam but never followed up on his solo work or The Style Council. Just didn't like it. It wasn't personal). What is it they say about never meeting your heroes? You lived in the same street as yours! And he was too miserable to say hello to. That's pretty grim. That would have gutted me as a starstruck boy.

I imagine he felt under a great deal of pressure but, frankly, who doesn't? Life is hard. Well, I guess he did his bit as a young man through the music that gave so much pleasure to so many people. As a personality, nah, keep walking. Maybe he's a cuddly old man now?

Take care, Robert. I hope you & your loved ones are safe & well.

@colingeddes2172

3y↑1

Great track. Virtualy every b side the jam did was a top tune. Weller and the jam were at their peak 1980, great days for a 14 year old, wish i cud go back to those days. The jam were the soundtrack to my early teenage years. Still the greatest band ever.

@mbrady2329

3y↑1

@@johnsrome8459, someone I know grew up alongside him in Woking, and confirmed to me that he was indeed a bit of an arse. That said, one can't fault his talent as a songwriter during his period with The Jam.

2 More Replies...

@johnfield4119

6y↑126

MY BROTHER DIDN"T REALLY LIKE THE JAM LIKE ME BUT LOVED THIS;HE DIED AT CHRISTMAS SO THIS IS FOR HIM

@marcelocm07

6y↑8

John Field damn dude... sorry for your loss.

@Anglo_Saxon1

6y↑7

God mate.really sorry to hear that about your brother .i lost my baby bro when i was 10.i was collecting Jam vinyl when i was 10(1982)

@seanbatty5107

6y↑4

John Field - great tune to remember him by. R.I.P.

@granto6738

5y↑4

Hope ya OK bud

@andrew2366

5y↑2

Ah man i lost my best friend from school a yr ago we both loved The Jam i still miss him :-(

20 More Replies...

@boxingjerapah

5y↑70

The Jam's b-sides were better than pretty much everyone else's a-sides tbh.

@andrew2366

5y↑1

Agreed

@kevinbill9574

5y↑1

Certainly better than Jam 'a' sides. They could have done with a decent vocalist as well, but this is a great song

@SnowyElder

3y↑1

@@kevinbill9574 Tadger

@heyoka_j5741

So true!!! Their b sides and outtakes album rules

@jmc0075

4y↑20

2020 still listening to the jam.

@dogestoevsky2853

Here, here!

@iandainton2416

Me still listening, what a man,

@Sam_Green____4114

2021 still listening to The Jam !!!!!

@mrsalibooboo

1y↑1

i remember crying when i heard this live

@markm9751

2y↑4

After all this time its still a good song.and all ways will be!

@benmacklin3884

6y↑19

Timeless music. The Jam were the absolute best

@duncansouth6406

1y↑1

60 years old still love it ❤😂

@ivanklein1783

9y↑30

Excellent song.This is first time I heard it.We in America missed out on so much great music,especially from THE JAM.

@richystary4466

4y↑4

The Jam were my youth (and Leeds United - at least the latter are back around!!)

@anttee90

I'm Arsenal, loved the battles in the 60s and 70s WELCOME back

@Pikeswrath

32w↑1

So very lovely and melancholy. I must voyage to England one day before I die. Greetings from Canada.

@wadeboyful

2y↑1

Bought the ep when I was sixteen with my first ever paycheck

@81colinzeal

5y↑6

Everything Weller does is pure gold.

@stephenalderson6279

Platinum... Or Uranium,in the case of A bomb in Wardour street

@grahamcox662

5y↑9

Brilliant, and underrated song.

@LouRoff1

12y↑6

Poetry and song, lyrics and emotion, aggression and compassion x

@washingtonblair

12y↑6

love the film its a classic and like the video it takes you back to when Britain had factories and a working class life

@lyndseykramer

12y↑13

I listened to this a thousand times as a fifteen year old girl, alone, in Cornwall; 31 years ago. The Jam and Paul Weller at their best, matching my teenage angst, loneliness and anger. Second of course was Eton Rifles.

@sulladrum

7y↑9

I remember buying this on the Absolute beginners'EP IN 1981. i was fortunate to live in Boston, where there were record stores that had great music that wasn't played on commercial American radio.

@tomkearns7136

43w

Fkg brilliant and might be the best Jam song of all time.

@markmeade478

6y↑7

love this tune and the group, still miss them after all these years.
reminds me of my school, Drayton Manor High, 1979-83
my last class was 5b1.

@stevewood2326

4y↑2

When I brought home the record from the shop I played the B side first [having heard Start! on the radio already]. This was so much better.

@wesleyharding6076

Dennis Waterman R.I.P.

@therealawakener7

11y↑1

Paul Weller is a legend. Britains premier pop/rock poet and song writer.

@benmacklin3884

6y↑7

Weller is a genius

@idonthavealoginname

11y↑5

Still sounds as fresh as the first day i heard it as a 13 year old lad ! Quality :)

@APublicDomain

13y↑5

Excellent piece, very evocative. This is certainly how I'd always pictured Liza Radley.

@mirandafriday4023

51w↑1

Up The Junction

@markmeade2937

Fantastic tune , the Jam at there best , hunting melody and brilliant lyrics.
Excellent video, Up The Junction from 1967.
RIP Denis Waterman

@88huey88

3y↑1

most excellent tune

@farmer1967

13y↑2

paul weller what a talent !!!

@graemegalbraith9546

2y↑1

Brilliant song

@jakegallazzi8266

4y↑2

2020 and still the best song to get the Friday night started, never beat a bit of the jam

@benmacklin3884

5y↑1

Just never gets old. Brilliant

@mrlowry6359

6y↑2

Superb Song, Amazing Band.

@ianfisher8972

9y↑7

still a Weller classic, timeless

@frankgoodall6885

7y↑7

Timeless classic..X :)

@iconcanada3660

3y↑1

Incredible song

@argopunk

1y↑1

In Canada, first time I heard The Jam was when "That's Entertainment" came out on mainstream radio. There was a period in 1980/81 when good British music was played on mainstream radio. Then it went back to crap or just classic rock, and you had to tune into CFNY in the Toronto area or listen late at night on stations like CHOM in Montreal. Any other Canucks remember it this way? (And, yes, I know The Jam played in Toronto at The Colonial in '77 and a few other places until they broke up.)

@Pikeswrath

32w↑1

Yes! Quite right friend, I remember that era in Toronto, Canada vividly. Oh Blessed CFNY 102.1 'The Spirit of Radio' ... during it's brief zenith around the early 80s, they played all the rare 'import' singles that could only be found at one or two independent music shops, like The Record Peddler for example. As a Canadian of British heritage, it was a major quest to get my hands on this type of music. At the time Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd and the usual classic rock acts of the 1st 'British Invasion' .. Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Zeppelin, The Who etc... was ubiquitous on AM/FM and at shops such as 'Sam the Record Man'. It was a pity for alternative music lovers in the Toronto region when the CFNY was sold and became very corporate with it's music programming. Other big commercial stations in the Toronto market, CHUM FM and Q107, began to incorporate some of the alternative format in their programming by the mid 80s, mixing big selling acts like U2, The Cult, The Clash, Duran Duran, Simple Minds, Frankie Goes to Hollywood etc... into their Classic/Hard Rock song rotation... It was a limited success. Most of the people listening to Classic Rock stations back then didn't want to hear a new song like "That's Entertainment" by The Jam, follow up the latest AC/DC or Van Halen mega-hit for example! We knew better, didn't we?! Haha :) Anyways man... your comment triggered good memories. /Cheers

@argopunk

32w↑1

@@Pikeswrath Thanks for the comprehensive response. And the memories. We recall those times the same way.
The UK 80s was pretty cool all the way through with The Pogues, Smiths, Pale Fountains, Stone Roses and many more. Although, there was a contingent of local Toronto nasties around 1985/86 who, for a couple of years, went around attacking people for Docs and looking a certain way--I'm talking "Skinheads" and The Untouchables. Do you recall those losers?
But 90s Brit Pop seemed to be when greater numbers of Canadians became interested in what I thought was cool music
and fashion. And it was peaceful! Have a good one.

@mrlowry6359

6y↑1

Great Song. So Brilliant. A Masterpiece Of A Track Made By Total Geniuses.

@modsheff1

12y↑3

This song just goes to show what a truely great band the jam were. and how diverse weller's influences were at the time. nice syd barrett type whimsical number.

@CyberPin2001

The Ultimate Mod Song

@jackthehatuk

10y↑10

Three words Brilliant!

@garyhosty

Ha ! You canb't count Mate - I make that two words.

@lazeyhazey

14y↑1

classic- maureen lipman is superb ********

@andytyler4800

6y↑1

Up the junction .... Who would think some one from there would like some one from there ... Love story

@malcthetalc9623

3y↑1

Great tune.

@lawrenceflynn-ze4cp

The lyrics are amazing,an yes the best B side ever lau

@duncansouth6406

58 still listening

@juliedavison9842

5y↑3

Love this

@alanlittle3941

6y↑6

The best B side ever!

@logan5francis757

Better than The Butterfly Collector ?

@123four...

@@logan5francis757 that's tough

@johnmorrow7080

Not really a Jam fan but does make me think of my youth .

@Hbhoy

2y↑1

Brilliant 👌

@gchfishmongers1604

Love Liza Radley, reminds me of my late best friend Nick Franks!

@markmeade478

6y↑8

deep sorry for the passing of your brother.

@stephenhiggins622

Favorite jam song

@chrismorrison2805

8y↑5

Pure class...raw, real, MOD!

@CyberPin2001

7y↑3

Classic Weller. Great video you put together there.

@TheSeanm102

12y↑1

great upload i remember seeing this film years ago could'nt remember it's name thanks again

@richard1033

11y↑1

Great piece, footage goes well with a rare outing of a Weller classic.Would pay loads to them live again.

@benmacklin9009

3y↑1

Why don’t music inspire like it used to. We really felt it.

@iandainton2416

Because there is no talent anymore, kids born with everything today, the music today, if you can call it that, is shite

@123four...

2y↑1

@@iandainton2416 It's not good to fall into that mindset. There's still good music out there, you just have to find it. Dismissing all kids today is a fallacy, there will always be people who have to face adversity and struggle. Great stuff will always be made.

@jackthehatuk

11y↑1

I love this song so much. I also really enjoyed the comments below. Made me lol!

@tpp5151

6y↑5

Liza Radley, I pledge myself to you alone
She'd kiss my face and say, "love means nothing at all."
She'd kiss my face and say, "life means nothing at all."

@davegibbs6423

This is the weak part of the song. Late 70s in tone.

@black-capped6702

I lov you Liza ;-)

@pursey2

13y↑1

Well done!

@douglasjamesalexhuggins8258

Superb

@somonelse666

13y

thanx 4 posting

@grahamcox662

Underestimated song,it's one of there best,buetifull.

@numbpull

11y↑1

greetings from sydney. fine take on a classic b side mixed beautifully with up the junction nice one mate

@jackthehatuk

11y

Weller = Genius!

@derekpugh6819

Great B side. 😎👍

@fredbloggs8172

Fantastic

@frosksdeadteeth5163

I thought that was Rick Buckler in the vid at first. Anyway, love this song, so many fond memories of that time

@stretchmonkey

12y

That was very enjoyable.

@oldskertonion

Great film footage, compliments a great PW song

@MrVinalmagic

13y

well done nice work

@TokeBoat

12y

great vid for great song weldone

@Funkspeed

11y

Top job...

@jopink7674

Awesome.

@tonylowry980

Is There Any BAD Jam Songs? You'd Have To Be Jackod To Think Any Were. Style Council And Solo Career, Also. It's ALL A+. Paul Weller And Every Member Of All Groups, You're All GENIUSES.

@racingspoon

5y↑1

Tony Lowry News of the World, Don’t Tell Them You’re Sane and for selfish reasons Precious.

@kayaksimon

10y

my song!!!!!

@micronautseven

5y↑2

The jam should reunite and tour, man that would be amazing

@sawdustcaesar6853

8y↑1

Fine film.

@trickstick84

8y↑6

Maureen Lipman, near the beginning

@jennyjanez6479

6y↑2

Also, Susan George at 0.12.

@Mushy72

Classic

@simo47651

10y

AWESOME............MOD,ON

@tron8379

11y

WOW that is all x

@ThePaulhankinson

10y

Splendid...bring the Pinot Noir

@blasrosales7776

fave

@feewebb

11y

Up the Junction

@calebrush3833

I think we've all known a Liza Radley at one time or another.

@frisbee212

7y↑1

groovy

@Ciderhead69

12y

!968 when this film came out i was a child, My life started a year later 1969 A 12 yo Skin

@DOUGDONUT

Probably the boy about town.

@DRONE82

COOL 😂😎🙂😋🤗😊😉😆😃🤩🤩😎

@jonburrows2883

6y↑1

She kissed my face and said life means nothing at all

@TheDinzdale

13y

Weller walks on water.

@agnesarchibald5850

34w

Long tìme agò wè seem 2 b getting older who cares friends take.care❤

@Oxmix64

14y↑1

Great song and the movie clip has got my interest. I have not seen or heard of this movie. Is it somehow connected with the song Up the Junction by Squeeze?

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