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.
We've Only Started
The Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel the space between us all
A forced expense
But the big divide
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Let's take a chance with beginner's luck
We have nothing so there's nothing to lose
I can't believe the only reasons we're here
Hear me now
We've only started
They'll just exploit us but it's only day one
We haven't got that far
Not far at all
The Jam's song We've Only Started is a critique of society during the time when it was released, specifically about the middle of an age where people are becoming more distant from each other. The opening line sets the tone, as the lyrics describe the feeling of being in the middle of something without knowing what it is. The line “I feel the space between us all” refers to the way in which people were growing farther apart and becoming less connected.
The next line, “A forced expense”, is a reference to how living in a modern world requires money, and how people are forced to spend money just to fit in. The line “But the big divide between the devil and the deep blue sea” describes how difficult it is to choose between the two options when faced with a tough decision. However, the band encourages the listener to take a chance with beginner's luck, as they have nothing to lose.
The final verse mentions that the reasons people are where they are, are only due to the reasons in the Bank of England, implying that wealth is the driving force for society. Despite this, the band encourages listeners to persevere through the exploitation and obstacles they will face, as the journey has only just begun. The song ends with the lyric “We haven't got that far, not far at all”, leaving the listener with the feeling that there is much more to be accomplished.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like the middle of a ... age
It feels like we are stuck in the midst of an unproductive era
I feel the space between us all
I sense an emotional distance between us
A forced expense
An obligatory and expensive endeavor
But the big divide
Despite the noticeable differences between us
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Caught in a dilemma between two unfavorable options
Let's take a chance with beginner's luck
We should attempt something new with hope for a positive outcome
We have nothing so there's nothing to lose
We possess nothing and therefore have nothing to risk
I can't believe the only reasons we're here
I find it hard to accept that the only motives for our presence are financial in nature
Are the reasons in the Bank of England
The sole reasons are motivated by financial gain
Hear me now
Pay attention to my message
We've only started
We have just begun our journey
They'll just exploit us but it's only day one
Others will take advantage of us, but we have just started and have the chance to avoid this outcome
We haven't got that far
We are still in the early stages
Not far at all
We have barely progressed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kyle Fiske
How incredibly talented do you have to be to NOT think this is good enough to release as a single?
Corinne Hansen
Just brilliant ❤️♥️❤️
Lee Robinson
This song is class!!
John linx
This is why the jam where brilliant.
bloodnokian
I prefer this over 'Tales from the Riverbank'.
LiquidLifeTV
This is a lost gem. Why was it buried?
rudderless1975
I always thought the lyric was "no Christmas bonus but its only day one.." but have just read that it's apparently "they'll just exploit us"
Noel Hatton
Think this ended up being Tales of the riverbank
rudderless1975
I feel idiotic. I love both songs and only just realised because of your comment they are the same song!
Jon Barlow
Did it take you long to work that out :-)