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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To Be Someone )
The Jam Lyrics
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A famous footballer a rock singer
Or a big film star, yes I think I would like that
To be rich and have lots of fans
Have lots of girls to prove that I'm a man
And be no. 1 - and liked by everyone
Getting drugged up with my trendy friends
And the bread I spend - is like my fame - its quickly diminished
And there's no more swimming in a guitar shaped pool
No more reporters at my beck and call
No more cocaine its only ground chalk
No more taxis now well have to walk
But didn't we have a nice time -
didn't we have a nice time
Oh wasn't it such a fine time
I realize I should have stuck to my guns
Instead shit out to be one of the bastard sons
And lose myself - I know it was wrong - but its cost me a lot
And there's no more drinking after the club shuts down,
I'm out on me arse with the rest of the clowns
Its really frightening without a bodyguard
So I stay confined to my lonely room
The Jam's song "To Be Someone" comments on the cultural obsession with fame and fortune. The lyrics express a desire to be famous and admired, with dreams of becoming a footballer, rock singer or film star. The persona in the song believes that being rich and famous will gain them more fans and recognition, which will assert their masculine identity. The song utilizes sarcasm to depict how easy it is to be swept away by societal pressure and to make sacrifices in order to gain fame that comes at the cost of one's true self.
The second verse features the persona taking drugs with their trendy friends, who they believe accept them, and spending large sums of money, which they equate to their fame, with both quickly being diminished. The third verse describes how the persona's life falls apart after losing fame. They are no longer able to afford luxuries like a guitar-shaped pool, have no more press following them, must resort to cheaper drugs and cannot afford taxis. The song ends with the persona regretting the loss of their true identity and socially isolating themselves in their lonely room where they have no bodyguards to protect them.
Line by Line Meaning
To be someone must be a wonderful thing
Being famous and well-liked must be an amazing feeling.
A famous footballer a rock singer
Icons in the worlds of sports and music are examples of those who achieve great admiration.
Or a big film star, yes I think I would like that
The idea of becoming an influential film actor is also appealing.
To be rich and have lots of fans
Having amassed a fortune and having numerous admirers are desired status symbols.
Have lots of girls to prove that I'm a man
A large number of women who desire me will validate my masculinity.
And be no. 1 - and liked by everyone
Being the top-rated individual and well-liked by all is the ultimate goal and aspiration.
Getting drugged up with my trendy friends
Consuming drugs with my fashionable buddies is a cool thing to do in the moment.
They really dig me and I dig them
My stylish associates and I thoroughly enjoy spending time together and indulging in illicit activities.
And the bread I spend - is like my fame - its quickly diminished
The money I spend is comparably fleeting like my renown and popularity.
And there's no more swimming in a guitar shaped pool
I can no longer take a dip in my custom guitar-shaped swimming pool.
No more reporters at my beck and call
Journalists no longer rush to cover my every move and are no longer eager to interview me.
No more cocaine its only ground chalk
The cocaine I consumed has now transformed into a worthless white powder.
No more taxis now well have to walk
Without any money, we are forced to walk instead of taking taxis.
But didn't we have a nice time -
Reflecting on the past good times we had.
didn't we have a nice time
Remembering the fun moments.
Oh wasn't it such a fine time
Oh how splendid the moments we spent together were.
I realize I should have stuck to my guns
I now comprehend that I should have stayed true to my own beliefs.
Instead shit out to be one of the bastard sons
Instead I caved in and became just another illegitimate individual trying to be successful.
And lose myself - I know it was wrong - but its cost me a lot
Trying to fit in and become famous has caused me to lose who I truly am and the price I paid for that was very high.
And there's no more drinking after the club shuts down,
After the closure of the club, there are no longer opportunities to consume alcohol.
I'm out on me arse with the rest of the clowns
Like the other foolish individuals, I am left with nothing.
Its really frightening without a bodyguard
It's very scary being unprotected without a bodyguard.
So I stay confined to my lonely room
Therefore, I choose to stay confined to my isolated bedroom.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
adj
“To Be Someone” will always carry a certain meaning to me.
When I was younger me and my sister were at our airport and saw an actress, we walked up to her and asked if we could have her autograph. She looked down at us and said “no, sorry I can’t, if I give you one everybody else will want one and I’ll miss my flight” With that she walked off, but apart from us there was nobody else around her.
Years later when I was older I read that she’d died as an alcoholic in a run down flat, and I thought of this song, the lyrics could almost be describing what happened to her later in life.
Maybe if she’d remembered the people who had given her her fame when she still had it, her life wouldn’t of ended like it did.
Mark70609
@Unholylemonpledge I understand what you say, and I tend to ignore anyone famous, but the reality is that is weird. The fact is these people have devoted their lives to be being in the public eye and adored by fans. It’s only natural that fans will want to meet their idols as they are emotionally vested in them. It was selfish on the stars part not to show some respect to people who admire her.
Gary
@Unholylemonpledge 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣yfp. Smh dude.
Unholylemonpledge
The entire practice of asking famous people for autographs is weird itself. U dont have the moral highground in that story. U shouldve left them alone
Michael Slater
I can’t believe how fast time has flown, listening to all this Jam stuff reminds me of being a Mod in Leicester in the early 80’s and having to hide under a Ford transit in my Parka because me and my cousin were being chased by a gang of skinheads…. Didn’t realise I could leg it so quickly 😂
Tatts Kink
I don’t think they did a bad song! Supremely talented!
Gentilly Girl
I was just thinking that.
dermot51
Certainly not on this LP
James Elliott
Such a great song.
Very insightful lyrics from a very young Weller.
johnyboy66 johnyboy 66
its 2020 im now 53 & i still love this band