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.
Tales From The Riverbank
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where we ran when we were young
This is a tale from the water meadows
Trying to spread some hope into your heart
It's mixed with happiness, it's mixed with tears
Both life and death are carried in this stream
That open space, you could run for miles
True, it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to, that I'll always run to
Won't you join me by the riverbank?
Paradise found down by the still waters
Joined in the race to the rainbow's end
No fears, no worries just a golden country
Woke at sunrise, went home at sunset
Now life is so critical, life is too cynical
We lose our innocence, we lose our very soul
True, it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to, that I'll always run to
True, it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to, that I'll always run to
Won't you join me by the riverbank?
Come on and join me by the riverbank
In "Tales from the Riverbank", The Jam's frontman Paul Weller reminisces about the idyllic days of youth spent by the riverbank. He takes the listener on a nostalgic journey to the pastel fields and water meadows where he and his friends used to run when they were young. Weller talks about the beauty of the open countryside where they could run for miles, and the stream that carried both life and death in its waters.
The song also talks about the loss of innocence as people grow older, with life becoming too critical and cynical. Despite this, Weller holds onto his dream of returning to the riverside and finding paradise by the still waters. The lyrics are not just about nostalgia and reminiscing the past, but also about finding hope and solace in a world which can often be harsh and unforgiving.
Line by Line Meaning
Bring you a tale from the pastel fields
I have a story to share about the colorful fields from our childhood.
Where we ran when we were young
Those fields were where we felt free and alive, with boundless energy.
This is a tale from the water meadows
This story is about the peaceful, grassy riverbanks where we used to spend lazy days.
Trying to spread some hope into your heart
I hope that by sharing this memory, it can bring a glimmer of positivity to your life.
It's mixed with happiness, it's mixed with tears
This memory always elicits a range of emotions, both joyful and sorrowful.
Both life and death are carried in this stream
The river represents the cycle of life and death, with its constant flow of water and living creatures.
That open space, you could run for miles
The freedom and vastness of the open fields were limitless, allowing us to run and play for hours on end.
Now you don't get so many to the pound
In today's world, things are more scarce and precious, and we can't take them for granted like we used to.
True, it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
This memory is a dream-like vision, tinted by our sentimental longing for the past.
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to, that I'll always run to
Despite its intangibility, this memory holds great value and meaning to me, and I'll always cherish it.
Won't you join me by the riverbank?
I invite you to share in this moment of reflection with me, to escape the chaos of the present and return to a simpler time.
Paradise found down by the still waters
The tranquil riverbank was a paradise-like oasis, where we could forget our worries and find solace.
Joined in the race to the rainbow's end
We were part of a shared quest for something elusive and fantastical, inspired by the spectrum of colors in the fields.
No fears, no worries just a golden country
In that idyllic landscape, we were free from the anxieties and stresses of modern life, immersed in a sun-kissed paradise.
Woke at sunrise, went home at sunset
Our days were simple and uncomplicated, marked by the natural rhythm of the sun rising and setting.
Now life is so critical, life is too cynical
In today's world, life is fraught with challenges and uncertainties, and we often lose sight of what really matters.
We lose our innocence, we lose our very soul
Our experiences and hardships can erode our innocence and sense of self, leaving us feeling lost and disconnected.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind