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.
Time for Truth
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're just another red balloon with a lot of hot gas
Why don't you fuck off?
And you think you've got it worked out
And you think you've got it made
And you trying to play the hero
But you never walk home in the dark
And the truth is you've lost uncle Jimmy
Admit your failure and decline with honor while you can
And you think you've got it sussed out
And you think that we're brain washed
And you're trying for a police state
So you can rule our body and minds
What ever happened to the great empire?
You bastards have turned it into manure
Time for the young to stick together now
I bet you sleep at night with silk sheets and a clean mind
While killers roam the streets in numbers, dressed in blue
And you're trying to hide it from us
But you know what I mean
Bring forward those six pigs
We want to see them swing sod high
The Jam's song "Time for Truth" is a confrontational statement against those in power who hide the truth from the masses. The first verse is directed towards someone who is being dishonest and not showing their true intentions. The comparison to a red balloon is a criticism of someone who is full of themselves, but lacks substance. The use of expletives also shows the frustration of the singer towards someone who is not being genuine.
In the chorus, the singer calls for honesty and for admitting to failure. The line "you've lost uncle Jimmy" is a nod to the political turmoil in the UK at the time, where the Prime Minister James Callaghan was facing criticism for his handling of various issues. The call for decline with honor is a plea for those in power to accept their mistakes and step down, rather than continue to cling onto power.
The second verse is a direct criticism of those in power who are trying to control the masses. The use of the term "brain washed" highlights the singer's belief that those in power are manipulating the people through propaganda. The call for a police state is a warning against tyrannical rule, where personal freedoms are restricted.
The bridge is a reflection on the state of the country, where the singer accuses those in power of ruining the empire. The call for the young to stick together is a call for unity in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Time for Truth" is a powerful statement against those who hide the truth from the masses and who use their power to control and manipulate.
Line by Line Meaning
Whatcha trying to say that haven't tried to say before?
Are you attempting to convey a new message you've never mentioned earlier?
You're just another red balloon with a lot of hot gas
You're similar to a balloon filled with hot air but with no substance.
Why don't you fuck off?
Can you please leave us alone?
And you think you've got it worked out
Do you believe you have everything figured out?
And you think you've got it made
Do you feel confident that you've achieved success?
And you trying to play the hero
Are you attempting to be a hero?
But you never walk home in the dark
You don't know what it's like to be in a dangerous situation
I think it's time for truth
It's time to be honest and truthful
And the truth is you've lost uncle Jimmy
The truth is that you've lost the support of Uncle Jimmy
Admit your failure and decline with honor while you can
Accept your failures and step down respectfully before it's too late
And you think you've got it sussed out
Do you believe you have everything figured out?
And you think that we're brain washed
Do you believe that we're easily influenced?
And you're trying for a police state
Do you want to enforce strict laws to control our actions?
So you can rule our body and minds
Is your intention to have complete control over us?
What ever happened to the great empire?
What happened to our once-great empire?
You bastards have turned it into manure
You've turned it into crap, you despicable people
Time for the young to stick together now
It's time for the younger generation to unite
I bet you sleep at night with silk sheets and a clean mind
You probably sleep comfortably with luxurious sheets and an innocent conscience
While killers roam the streets in numbers, dressed in blue
Meanwhile, many police officers are acting as violent murderers on the streets.
And you're trying to hide it from us
Are you attempting to conceal what's happening from us?
But you know what I mean
But deep down, you understand my point
Bring forward those six pigs
Hand over those six corrupt police officers
We want to see them swing sod high
We want to see them face the death penalty for their actions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dazmalski
A close 3rd. Anger and harmony. Love it!!
@Forge167
Finest 3-piece rock bands in order; The Jam, Jimmy Hendrix Experience, Cream, The Molotovs.
@tonysoprano2912
as good as i remembered 👌
@southlondon63
After watching Brotherhood Of Man and Abba on tv when was 14 thought nah there’s something better out there. One of the first albums l brought and never looked back since.
@giulioluzzardi7632
You forgot Leo Sayer and and a few other soppy cabbage leaves.
@peaceoman
A lot of stuff by The Jam is political.Written back in the days when politicians were just incompetent and not sinister and evil.The police state line is about 20-30 years before it's time.
@peaceoman
A lot of stuff by The Jam is political.Written back in the days when politicians were just incompetent and not sinister and evil.
@giulioluzzardi7632
That incompetence fueled a generation of angry young folk and led to (as you say) politicians becoming Tyrants..again.
@peaceoman
The police state line is about 20-30 years before it's time.
@billybeetroot8595
Shows you how much wellers changed, hes a lefty now