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.
The Modern World
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the modern world
What kind of a fool do you think I am?
You think I know nothing of the modern world?
All my life has been the same
I've learned to live by hate and pain
It's my inspiration drive
I've learned more than you'll ever know
That one day I would be on top
And I'd look down upon the map
The teachers who said I'd be nothing
This is the modern world that I've learnt about
This is the modern world, we don't need no one
To tell us what's right or wrong
I said oh, right or wrong
Say what you like, 'cause I don't care
I know where I am and going too
It's somewhere I won't preview
Don't have to explain myself to you
I don't give a damn about your review
This is the modern world that I've learnt about
This is the modern world, we don't need no one
To tell us what's right or wrong
Modern world, this is, this is, this is, this is
This is, this is, this is
Hey, we don't need no one
To tell us what's right or wrong
This is a modern world
This is the modern world
"The Modern World" by The Jam is a song that captures the disillusionment and anger of the youth in the late 1970s. The opening lines of the song indicate that the singer is aware of the modern world, and challenges anyone who thinks they know more to think again. The singer has had a tough life filled with pain and hate, which serves as inspiration for him. He remarks that he has learned more than anyone else, even during his time in school where his teachers predicted he would not amount to anything.
The song's lyrics are an expression of frustration at being underestimated and looked down on by others. The singer claims he knows where he's going, and doesn't need anyone's approval or validation. He doesn't care about reviews or opinions of others, and is determined to make it on his own. The song is a reflection of the energy and rebellion of punk rock at the time, with its fast-paced rhythm and aggressive sound.
Overall, "The Modern World" is a song about defying expectations and asserting oneself in the face of adversity. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of determination, especially in a world that can be unforgiving and harsh.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a modern world
The present time we are living in with all its advances and changes.
This is the modern world
A reaffirmation of the contemporary era we live in.
What kind of a fool do you think I am?
A rhetorical question challenging anyone who doubts their intelligence or knowledge.
You think I know nothing of the modern world?
A rhetorical question rejecting the assumption that the artist is ignorant of the current state of affairs.
All my life has been the same
A statement about the artist's life being monotonous and lacking dynamism.
I've learned to live by hate and pain
A statement about the singer's past experiences and how they have shaped their worldview.
It's my inspiration drive
The negative experiences that the singer has endured serve as a source of motivation that propels them forward.
I've learned more than you'll ever know
The artist is proud of their knowledge and experience and feels superior to those who doubt their abilities.
Even at school I felt quite sure
The artist has always felt confident in their abilities, even from a young age.
That one day I would be on top
The artist has always had a clear goal of achieving success and becoming superior to others.
And I'd look down upon the map
The singer envisions themselves being in a position of superiority and dominance.
The teachers who said I'd be nothing
The artist was doubted by their teachers, but they are now rising above those expectations and proving them wrong.
Say what you like, 'cause I don't care
The singer is indifferent to the opinions of others and is not influenced by their criticism.
I know where I am and going too
The singer has a clear sense of direction and purpose in their life.
It's somewhere I won't preview
The singer is not sure of the exact path they will take to achieve their goals, but they are confident in their ability to reach them.
Don't have to explain myself to you
The artist is not obligated to justify or explain their actions or decisions to anyone else.
I don't give a damn about your review
The artist is not concerned with the opinions or critiques of others.
Hey, we don't need no one
A statement of self-sufficiency and independence.
To tell us what's right or wrong
The singer rejects the notion that they need anyone else to dictate what is morally or ethically correct.
Modern world, this is, this is, this is, this is
A repetition of the phrase 'modern world' for emphasis and effect.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul John Weller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Javier Bermúdez Méndez
Lyrics:
This is the modern world
This is the modern world
What kind of fool do you think I am?
You think I know nothing of the modern world
All my life it's been the same
I've learnt to live by hate and pain
It's my inspiration drive
I've learnt more than you'll ever know
Even at school I felt quite sure
That one day I would be on top
And I'd look down upon the map
The teachers who said I'd be nothing
This is the modern world that I've learnt about
This is the modern world we don't need no one
To tell us what's right or wrong
This is the modern world
Say what you like 'cause I don't care
I know where I am and going to
It's somewhere I won't preview
Don't have to explain myself to you
I don't give two fucks about your review
This is the modern world that I've learnt about
This is the modern world we don't need no one
To tell us what's right or wrong
Modern word, this is, this is, this is
This is, this is, this is, this is
Hey, we don't need no one
To tell us what's right or wrong
This is the modern world
This is the modern world
Stikbot Pro
13 Reasons Why this brought me here
1: Season 4 - Episode 8
2: That one student with a 🏏
3: The students throwing paper balls
4: The police with batons & shields
5: The girl with the 📣
6: The other officers
7: The students leaving the 🏫
8: The students pushing the police shields
9: The 2 fights
10: That one student wrecking the principal's things
11: The principal
12: The boy also with a 📣
13: The Show
psychobilly81
I'm an old rockabilly from the 80s...say what you want.. But these 3 boys were brilliant...love em...Mr Weller is one great song writer..
Tony M
I consider the single 'My Generation' by TheWHO to be rockabilly on 'roids. PT kicks up a fuss w/ his rhythm/ lead playing.
Doug Rudolph
Greetings, from a fellow, old rockabilly from the 80's. I agree, this talent popped in my head at work. HAD to play asap.
Richy Menezes
Good on you rockerbillys ..🇬🇧..
Andy Glazzard
I bought this album in London 45 years ago...Im 60 years old now.....and I still love it
joan davies
still got this album on vinyl and loads more love the jam
jasper barlow
Still sounds fresh to this day.
sdd78
My favourite jam song and album great tunes with a bit of punk aggression
PsyVen
Saw their first US gig at the Whisky in L.A. -- October 14, 1977. Brilliant band -- too bad they only broke through in the States on their final album.
Andrew Williams
First Jam song I ever heard. Kicked my eara and brain into high gear.