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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Stoned Out of My Mind
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Playing around and conniving
Undesired tears I was crying
'Cause sugar coated as I was buying
I was just a backseat driver in a car of love
Going wherever you take me
Don't know why I put up with the pain
Cause no one else can make me
You've got me going - stoned out of my mind
And when you led me to the waters I drank it
But I drank more than I could hold
And you took my mind off my body
And now you want to take my soul
Where can I run?
Where can I hide?
Who can I talk to?
Tell me what more can I do?
You've got me going - stoned out of my mind
Playing around with every guy in town
It's funny I just can't put you down
See my head - its spinning around
Since the day you let me down
The song "Stoned Out of My Mind" by The Jam tells the story of a person who has been deceived by their partner. The lyrics vividly describe the pain and heartbreak that the singer feels after finding out that their significant other has been unfaithful. The singer is torn between the love they have for their partner and the hurt that their actions have caused.
The first few lines of the song convey the discovery of the partner's infidelity. The singer reveals how they found out about the deceit and the heartache that followed. The next lines express the powerlessness and inability of the singer to control the relationship. The singer compares themselves to a "backseat driver" being taken wherever their partner wants them to go.
The chorus, "You've got me going - stoned out of my mind," suggests how the singer is affected by their partner's actions. The term "stoned" can be interpreted in different ways, but often refers to a state of being out of control or mentally incapacitated. The lyrics imply that the singer is so overwhelmed by their emotions that they feel like they have lost their mind.
The last part of the song reveals the singer's struggle to move on from the relationship. They question where they can turn to for help and what they can do to ease the pain. The final lines emphasize how the hurt has affected them, with the metaphorical phrase, "See my head - it's spinning around since the day you let me down."
Overall, the song is a poignant portrayal of the complexity of emotions experienced during a relationship breakdown.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby when I found out you were lying
When I discovered that you were being untruthful
Playing around and conniving
Engaging in deceitful behavior and manipulation
Undesired tears I was crying
I was shedding tears involuntarily
'Cause sugar coated as I was buying
As I was being sold a false story that I wanted to believe
I was just a backseat driver in a car of love
I was not in control of the direction of our relationship
Going wherever you take me
Following your lead
Don't know why I put up with the pain
I do not understand why I tolerate the emotional hurt
Cause no one else can make me
Because no one else can spark the same attraction in me
You've got me going - stoned out of my mind
You have me feeling ecstatic to the point of disorientation
And when you led me to the waters I drank it
And when you introduced me to something new, I embraced it
But I drank more than I could hold
But I indulged in it excessively
And you took my mind off my body
And you distracted me from my physical senses
And now you want to take my soul
And now you aim to have a deep emotional connection with me
Where can I run?
Where can I escape to?
Where can I hide?
Where can I conceal myself?
Who can I talk to?
Who can I confide in?
Tell me what more can I do?
Give me suggestions for additional actions I can take
Playing around with every guy in town
Flirting with and potentially having casual relationships with many men in our community
It's funny I just can't put you down
It’s ironic that I cannot leave you despite seeing how you treat me
See my head - its spinning around
I am feeling dizzy and disoriented
Since the day you let me down
Ever since you disappointed me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARBARA ACKLIN, EUGENE RECORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ladycplum
Out of all the covers the Jam, the Council, or solo Weller did, this will always be my favorite. I think in this one you can hear his voice was sort of transitioning into what I call "Council Mode", not as gruff as during the Jam.
Alex Thomas
definetely the best cover version ever, really understated and underated. Fantastic
orweller3
Pure Class! God I am 43 years old and I love Paul Weller like I did when I was 18! Soooo lame but I can't help it! Someone take me back!
Derek pugh Pugh
This track makes me happy when I am down. Good on ya paul..
Al Man
I love this song. Reminds me of a summer back in the early 90s with a girl I had a crush on.
XDV595K
This is Paul Weller's voice at it's absolute best. Beautiful. Check out 'Shopping' on 'Extras'. Awesome and unbeatable.
Tim Arnold
Still love this version and the original of course! About time someone commented - keep the faith!
SmithersJones87
The Jam just bring this to life for me full stop.
mc77ification
What a groovy Sound from Paul Weller!
Jules Hammond
Wow, the Jam were taking us somewhere very new in 1982. And then it all ended. Lots of exciting music happening in 1982, but for me 1982 was the year the music died and afterwards there were just pieces left...