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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That
The Jam Lyrics
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A pneumatic drill and ripped up concrete
A baby wailing and stray dog howling
The screech of brakes and lamp light blinking
That's entertainment, that's entertainment
A smash of glass and a rumble of boots
Paint splattered walls and the cry of a tomcat
Lights going out and a kick in the balls
That's entertainment, that's entertainment
Days of speed and slow time Mondays
Pissing down with rain on a boring Wednesday
Watching the news and not eating your tea
A freezing cold flat and damp on the walls
That's entertainment, that's entertainment
Waking up at six am on a cool warm morning
Opening the windows and breathing in petrol
An amateur band rehearsing in a nearby yard
Watching the tele and thinking about your holidays
That's entertainment, that's entertainment
Waking up from bad dreams and smoking cigarettes
Cuddling a warm girl and smelling stale perfume
A hot summer's day and sticky black tarmac
Feeding ducks in the park and wishing you were far away
That's entertainment, that's entertainment
Two lovers kissing amongst the scream of midnight
Two lovers missing the tranquillity of solitude
Getting a cab and travelling on buses
Reading the graffiti about slashed seat affairs
That's entertainment, that's entertainment
The Jam's song "That's Entertainment" is a poignant commentary on the harsh realities of everyday life. The lyrics are a vivid representation of urban life in Britain during the 1980s, with its poverty, violence, and social unrest. The song is structured as a series of vignettes, each one offering a snapshot of a different aspect of everyday life. Through this structure, the song highlights the ordinariness of these experiences, while also drawing attention to their significance.
The first verse of the song describes the chaos and noise of urban life: police cars, screaming sirens, pneumatic drills, and wailing babies. The chorus of "That's entertainment, that's entertainment" underscores the idea that these things are normal and even expected. The second verse shifts to a more violent theme, describing the sound of smashing glass, rumbling boots, and a kicked-in groin. The third verse is more melancholy, focusing on the boredom and routine of everyday life.
Despite the bleakness of the lyrics, there is also a sense of beauty and poetry in the images presented. The song paints a picture of life in all its complexity and contradiction, capturing both the pain and the pleasure of existence. Ultimately, "That's Entertainment" is a powerful statement on the human condition, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty to be found.
Line by Line Meaning
A police car and a screaming siren
The chaos and noise of an urban environment can still be enjoyed as a form of entertainment.
A pneumatic drill and ripped up concrete
The destruction and reconstruction of physical spaces can be interesting to observe.
A baby wailing and stray dog howling
Even the unpleasant sounds of everyday life can be a source of entertainment for some.
The screech of brakes and lamp light blinking
The hustle and bustle of day to day life can hold an allure for those who enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.
That's entertainment, that's entertainment
All of the chaos and sensory overload presented in the previous lines could be considered a form of captivating entertainment by some.
A smash of glass and a rumble of boots
Even violent incidents, like breaking glass and stomping boots, can be seen as a type of performance art.
An electric train and a ripped up 'phone booth
Urban development, such as the addition of public transportation or removal of old structures, can be a subject of interest to some.
Paint splattered walls and the cry of a tomcat
The grime and grit of an urban area can also hold aesthetic value to those who appreciate the beauty in the ugly.
Lights going out and a kick in the balls
Inappropriately unpleasant experiences, like getting hit in the groin, can still appear humorous or entertaining to some observers.
Days of speed and slow time Mondays
The monotony of routine and pace of life can be stark in comparison to the exciting flashes of urban chaos.
Pissing down with rain on a boring Wednesday
Bad weather and dull days can be made more interesting by observing the world around us and the ways people move through it.
Watching the news and not eating your tea
The tragedy and drama presented on the news can hold a morbid fascination for some, even at the expense of mundane everyday activities.
A freezing cold flat and damp on the walls
The struggles and difficulties of living in less-than-ideal conditions can be viewed as a kind of entertainment by some, either in a perverse sense or for the purposes of empathy.
Waking up at six am on a cool warm morning
The simple and familiar pleasures of a nice morning can be appreciated by those who find entertainment in the small things.
Opening the windows and breathing in petrol
Even unpleasant or harmful smells can still be appreciated from an observational standpoint by some.
An amateur band rehearsing in a nearby yard
The slightly off-key, amateurish sounds of budding musicians can be seen as charming and compelling to some.
Watching the tele and thinking about your holidays
The simple comforts of staying in and watching TV can be made even more pleasant by daydreaming about travelling and vacations.
Waking up from bad dreams and smoking cigarettes
Even negative experiences, like nightmares and smoking, can be an enduring part of an individual's idea of entertainment.
Cuddling a warm girl and smelling stale perfume
The sensory experience of physical touch and familiar smells are also entertaining to some.
A hot summer's day and sticky black tarmac
The slightly uncomfortable feeling of hot pavement and sunshine can be a desirable part of warm weather entertainment.
Feeding ducks in the park and wishing you were far away
The languor and dreamy quality of a day in the park can also be an escape from reality, even while enjoying everyday activities like feeding ducks.
Two lovers kissing amongst the scream of midnight
Passionate, intimate moments shared with others can be seen as expressive and exciting, even in the midst of noisy, chaotic nightlife.
Two lovers missing the tranquility of solitude
Amidst the flashing lights and noise of a city, moments of quiet and stillness can be just as valuable and entertaining to some.
Getting a cab and traveling on buses
The journey and movement itself can be appreciated as much as the destination when it comes to entertainment.
Reading the graffiti about slashed seat affairs
Even the taboo and unsavory elements of graffiti and public art can hold an appeal as part of urban entertainment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oreally8605
13 year old black kid in Chicago listening to the Jam. Now im 54, and I love it still..
@draganadc
Congratulation for good taste
@colinsvid
Sheldon Harris I'm 54 and I'm still listening from Essex , great memories flood back from the 70,s &80,s people, parties, Lambretta's
@alicegibson63
Love The Jam still at 62 and still have a scooter:)
@monstermarkone
I’m 55, from Suffolk, England. A biker all my life, rode a scooter once and crashed it (weird thing to ride 😂) Love the Jam!
@Bigyin600
The love of good music never dulls with age. I remember loving this as a 13 year old and now also 52 and always draws me back when its you tube wormhole time looking for music i love...... my dad was an original 60's Mod with a scooter but for me it was and is always bikes ;)
@davidsouthwick6802
Hi All. I'm a 62 year old white South African, & The Jam transformed the way I viewed society for the better as a young man. Our world now appears more precarious than ever, but I hope love wins the day. God Bless you all
@gentillygirl545
Hello, I am a 59 year old American woman. The Jam and others of our generation changed my worldview for the good. The world is precarious, but we have values and ethics -- and wherewithal. Keep on, and love from New Orleans, LA.
@toiletpaper5770
I’m a 45 y/o living in Arizona. Could you all please elaborate on how the Jam transformed the way you viewed society/changed your worldview for the good because it’s hard to find good in the world right now.
@NormAppleton
Good, just good