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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London Traffic
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
London traffic (blocking the streets)
London traffic (going nowhere)
London traffic (polluting the air)
Drive 'round London in a car
Don't really want to go far
So many cars fill the streets
Wonder why we bother at all
London traffic - too many cars
One way systems look very neat
Colored signs direct the streets
No one knows the answer
No one seems to care
Take a look at our city
Take the traffic elsewhere
Leave the city free from traffic
Give the place a chance to survive
Dirt and filth cover London
Give it a chance to breath again
The Jam's song "London Traffic" speaks about the problem of traffic in the city of London, with its lyrics vividly describing the chaos and pollution caused by the huge number of vehicles on the streets. The first two lines of the song repeat the same phrase, "London traffic," almost in a hypnotic manner, emphasizing the relentlessness of the problem. The repetition then changes to "going nowhere" and "polluting the air," highlighting the frustration and damage caused by the traffic.
The song also portrays the sense of resignation and helplessness felt by many London residents towards the problem. The lyrics state that "No one knows the answer / No one seems to care," indicating that even though it's a clear issue, a solution seems unattainable. However, the song ends on a hopeful note, with the plea to "Take the traffic elsewhere / Leave the city free from traffic," and give London the opportunity to "breath again."
Line by Line Meaning
London traffic
The state of confusion caused by traffic in London.
London traffic
Traffic blocking the streets of London.
London traffic
The traffic in London going nowhere and achieving nothing.
London traffic
The pollution caused by London traffic.
Drive round London in a car
Driving around in a car in London.
Don't really want to go far
Not wanting to travel long distances in London.
So many cars fill the streets
The streets of London are filled with cars.
Wonder why we bother at all
Questioning the point of driving in London.
London traffic is a problem
Admitting that traffic in London is a problem.
London traffic too many cars
Noticing that there are too many cars on the streets of London.
One way systems look very neat
Admiring the organization of one-way street systems in London.
Coloured signs direct the streets
Noticing the helpful colored signs on London streets.
No one knows the answer
There is no clear solution to London's traffic problem.
No one seems to care
Feeling like no one is addressing the issue of London's traffic.
Take a look at our city
Advising a closer look at London.
Take the traffic elsewhere
Suggesting that traffic should be directed somewhere other than London to alleviate the traffic problem.
Leave the city free from traffic
Advocating for a traffic-free London.
Give the place a chance to survive
Allowing London to recover from the effects of heavy traffic.
Dirt and filth cover London
The pollution caused by London traffic has made the city dirty and unclean.
Give it a chance to breath again
Allowing the city to recover by reducing traffic and pollution.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRUCE FOXTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rutaloot
great stuff! The Jam kick ass!!!
wovokanarchy
One of The Jam's last tunes to tap into the 77 punk rock sensibilities.
Golden Tetsu
it reminds me of the friends intro the first 9 seconds
Augusto José
Me to “If I Needed Someone”
ModMokkaMatti
Smelly Cat?
scholion
I live in Gothenburg, a very small city compared to big brother London. Still, the Volvo capital of the Universe is a driver's nightmare during rush hour. The solution? More roads I'd say. People simply won't quit driving cars.. Politicians, please wake up to reality!
Elvis Presley
Batman
Prick
Elvis Presley
Someone wake me up
retroboy90
never cringed so much. stick to the bass foxy.
Karen Meek
Agreed. Probably the worst Jam song ever...