Possibly the greatest Jam song ever. Remember when I first started going out aged 17 and this would always come on the jukebox in the pub's. Great times.
Your opinion my friend, and you are very much entitled to have it. The Jam meant so much to so many and each song a memory for the many.Weller’s lyrics transcended his years. I thought his dad wrote them. Piss stenched hallways and broken down windows, the planners dream went wrong.
With so much good stuff from The Jam, it's hard to rate it in the whole canon - but I'd rate this a very close 2nd or 3rd to Going Underground or Town Called Malice
Only my opinion as an 80's lad the best music ever , never beaten shame they split but maybe that made them more iconic. Me and the god Paul share the same birthday, thank you Paul for your genius music
Paul, you & I share the same birthday. Still worship The Jam, and enjoyed much of his later output but not all. Wasn't too easy to get access to punk, new wave & reggae music during the late 70's/early 80's as a young man in South Africa, but managed to source imported vinyl & The Jam, The Clash, SLF, The Ruts & post punk acts like Joy Division & Bauhaus all inform my musical touchstone. Finally enjoyed the privilege of attending a PW performance at the Brixton Academy around the time of my 40th birthday in 2000 & was blown away. God Bless all you Jam fans
@Warren Baldwin at the end of the day mate it’s all about opinion- thought the jam were good but not the best band in Britain in my humble music taste opinion
In your white lace and your wedding bells You look the picture of contented new wealth But from the on-looking fool who believed your lies I wish this grave would open up and swallow me alive For the bitterest pill is hard to swallow The love I gave hangs in sad coloured, mocking shadows When the wheel of fortune broke, you fell to me Out of grey skies to change my misery The vacant spot, your beating heart took its place Now watch smoke leave my lips and fill an empty room For the bitterest pill is hard to swallow The love I gave hangs in sad coloured, mocking shadows The bitterest pill is mine to take If I took it for a hundred years, I couldn't feel any more ill The bitterest pill is mine to take If I took it for a hundred years, I couldn't feel any more ill Now autumn's breeze blows summer's leaves through my life Twisted and broken dawn, no days with sunlight The dying spark, you left your mark on me The promise of your kiss, but with someone else For the bitterest pill is mine to swallow The love I gave hangs in sad coloured, mocking shadows The bitterest pill is mine to take If I took it for a hundred years, I couldn't feel anymore ill!
The Jam should of Ended on this one.....Somebody will cover it. Real English soul on this one. We've All had a Pill.....Years later its still there stuck in ur throat... This song helps me Move on.... You have to.... We are all.the Same.... Cheers lads the Jam....All fine musicians Rick and Bruce a Big part of this band... Good luck everyone. Eamonn..
Think how many times some other dudes have entered her back door in 20 years and just get over it, will you. She wasn't thinking about you for one second when she was getting serviced.
To me is one of the best songs ever heard in my life, any time heard it, it always gets me! Such a beauty of song, the kind of song that heals you. All hail the king Paul Weller. A huge fan from Peru.
when I was younger I was in to all kinds of music but I loved the Jam I wasn't a mod or anything actually because we had nothing not a penny to scratch our asses with all I had was music from friends and when I found the jam they captured me like no other band for a long time I still like them to this day.
That is such a brilliant comment. Thank you for your insight. The Jam are my favourite band. PW is underrated as a lyricist. For me, he is the poet of my generation. I wish you well.
What a song,what a performer, lyrics really mean something,this music will never come again,just re living my youth I'm 58, mow,wow,you never forget the happy days,music was good, atmosphere,we had it all 😊👍❤️
Just found this song; instant favourite! Poetic lyrics, amazing chords, beautiful strings and Miss Havisham from Great Expectations in the video to boot!
There used to be a guy down our way with a black and purple Lambretta with beautiful graphics and the words "The Bitterest Pill" scripted in white over the engine cover. Fantastic pop song and a fitting end to the band's output.
This song was perfectly made for “This is England 1996.” One of the greatest series ever shown on Channel 4 “. Shane Meadows always has the hand of the pulse”.
I was a mod in the 70s 80s quite often It was up caranby street use to talk with jam was absolutely outstanding The band I have seen well over 30 times
I have heard this song over 2,000 times and i never get bored of listening to it.The Bitterest Pill is and always will be my favorite song of all time.
Amazing band, great tune. Love how they're trying not to laugh whilst 'seriously' acting. What a progression from 1977 to this...classy songwriting, superb instrumentation from all three. Fantastic lyrics and quality vocal from Paul.
Beautiful, magnificent song. Obviously would not have been out of place on a Style Council album, but I'm glad the Jam got to do it just before they clocked off.
What a song,a singer,performer,takes me back ,I made a mistake many years ago......and yes I'm still swallowing that pill,lyrics have so much meaning❤️☹️
Met paul seller at the red wedge concert in 1986 in Cardiff. Had his autograph and a pic with him. Love his music, this song takes me back to my youth.
The jam were our soundtrack to our early teenage years, and to think, they did LOADS of better tunes than this 1. Thats how good the holy trinity were.
Possibly the greatest Jam song ever. Remember when I first started going out aged 17 and this would always come on the jukebox in the pub's. Great times.
sounds amazing
Your opinion my friend, and you are very much entitled to have it. The Jam meant so much to so many and each song a memory for the many.Weller’s lyrics transcended his years. I thought his dad wrote them. Piss stenched hallways and broken down windows, the planners dream went wrong.
@@iancamb8190 Which is your favourite?
My favourite song
U have great taste. 1 of the many by the holy trinity.@@Michelleward-j8c
Paul Weller is one of pop's finest songwriters. A real craftsman.
this song is brilliant im sure someone somewhere will agree
Nothing wrong with Paul. Weller man is great song Wrighter and jam was the. Best for me.
It was the end of the jam 2 be true
This was a very good memory from summer 1982 I had just got my first job after leaving school
With so much good stuff from The Jam, it's hard to rate it in the whole canon - but I'd rate this a very close 2nd or 3rd to Going Underground or Town Called Malice
@@granto6738 Yes, definite signs of progression to the Style Council sound
Heartbreaking, lyrical perfection. Blimey. Weller isn’t a songwriter..he’s a poet.
what are you on about?
You only just realised?
Why can't he be both? 🤔
That's what he is a poet
In 100s of years they'll be teaching Weller, Davis and Townshend in schools
@@daveh438 They already do.
the bitterest pill I had to swallow. was the end of the jam...the sound of a generation...damn
Completely blown away by just how good this song is, could possibly be the Jam at their brilliant best
It was a transition from the Jam to the Style Council
A real gem in the Jam catalogue.
You can hear the Style Council sound starting to appearing in the last Jam songs. Weller oozing souls in this one.
I love The Jam, when I watch the videos I realise how I miss being a teenager
Brian Griffin And how they just turn you on big time ......Any more fans ????
Brian Griffin e
Brian Griffin
Brian Griffin I was born 1982 but I love the jam it's way of life x mod forever x
Brian Griffin I miss those days. But wudnt care 2 be a teenager these days
Only my opinion as an 80's lad the best music ever , never beaten shame they split but maybe that made them more iconic. Me and the god Paul share the same birthday, thank you Paul for your genius music
Paul, you & I share the same birthday. Still worship The Jam, and enjoyed much of his later output but not all. Wasn't too easy to get access to punk, new wave & reggae music during the late 70's/early 80's as a young man in South Africa, but managed to source imported vinyl & The Jam, The Clash, SLF, The Ruts & post punk acts like Joy Division & Bauhaus all inform my musical touchstone. Finally enjoyed the privilege of attending a PW performance at the Brixton Academy around the time of my 40th birthday in 2000 & was blown away. God Bless all you Jam fans
I was 17 and this track haunted me, I would sit in my room tears streaming down my face, it had a powerful effect on me then and still does today..
Modettes
@@dianemcalpine65 and mods. The jam were the best. And nobody has bettered them.
@@colingeddes2172 they wern't as big as the Beatles though.
@@bp6329 who was.
@@colingeddes2172 nobody was.
Simply the best British band of all time. If you want to know what is was like to grow up in the late 70s/early 80s in the UK, just read their lyrics.
still would like to be back there rather then in todays horrible world
Specials were better
@@nickprica3127 today's horrible world was being prepared then,
tho for most of the world always is horrible
@Warren Baldwin at the end of the day mate it’s all about opinion- thought the jam were good but not the best band in Britain in my humble music taste opinion
Better than The Smiths?
My sister Paula had this single we used to play it a lot.
Life goes by too quickly.
Enjoy the here and now and try to appreciate it ❤ 💙
No matter how old this song gets it still sounds great . Takes me back to the start of my teenage years
And me mate😊
I was15
One of Weller's finest songs.
In your white lace and your wedding bells
You look the picture of contented new wealth
But from the on-looking fool who believed your lies
I wish this grave would open up and swallow me alive
For the bitterest pill is hard to swallow
The love I gave hangs in sad coloured, mocking shadows
When the wheel of fortune broke, you fell to me
Out of grey skies to change my misery
The vacant spot, your beating heart took its place
Now watch smoke leave my lips and fill an empty room
For the bitterest pill is hard to swallow
The love I gave hangs in sad coloured, mocking shadows
The bitterest pill is mine to take
If I took it for a hundred years, I couldn't feel any more ill
The bitterest pill is mine to take
If I took it for a hundred years, I couldn't feel any more ill
Now autumn's breeze blows summer's leaves through my life
Twisted and broken dawn, no days with sunlight
The dying spark, you left your mark on me
The promise of your kiss, but with someone else
For the bitterest pill is mine to swallow
The love I gave hangs in sad coloured, mocking shadows
The bitterest pill is mine to take
If I took it for a hundred years, I couldn't feel anymore ill!
In your whiteness and your wedding bells,
You look the picture of contented Noel...
one of our greatest singer /songwriters ever.....his records will be played for years to come
yeagh jam ones
in this year he was awarded for this. quality lyrics and real music
Better Lennon and macca ? Don’t think so
@@paulgrahamedwardspencer6393 hes on a par against two of them
"our" lol what do you mean?
The Jam should of Ended on this one.....Somebody will cover it. Real English soul on this one.
We've All had a Pill.....Years later its still there stuck in ur throat...
This song helps me Move on....
You have to....
We are all.the Same....
Cheers lads the Jam....All fine musicians Rick and Bruce a Big part of this band...
Good luck everyone.
Eamonn..
Great tune,as the Jam got nearer the end you can hear how he's already thinking about the Style Council,and how it will sound.Genius.
Yep, said this many times. Absolute Beginners and Beat Surrender also have that distinct Style Council sound to it. Brilliant.
I get what you are saying. A song leading to a change of direction.
I read Bruce and Rick hated this song and weller stropped off
I honestly thought this was the style council. Mandela effect I guess
@@DAW1968 can’t agree more. look how he dresses
The best song I have ever heard, I was a massive fan 40 years ago even bigger fan now. The best 3 piece band ever in my view
Agree, although as a 3 piece Rush give them a close run
@@garethdoldfield ELP were the greatest ever 3 piece, get over it.
Rush? PMSL
Always wonder what inspired the lyrics as it sounded like it was written from personal experience, but it wasnt ?
Bang right mate.
ive swallowed the bitterness many times...20 years on still gutted
Think how many times some other dudes have entered her back door in 20 years and just get over it, will you. She wasn't thinking about you for one second when she was getting serviced.
So many memories being a young mod 54 now and still 100% mod.... Great song and a great era.
53 and being mod is in our DNA mate "life style"
@@madhavoc1 as Paul weller said born a mod I'll die a mod.
Just bought myself another pair of Jam shoes .My Christmas present to myself.
Weller is a genius. The Jam are the worlds most underrated band.
In what way we're The Jam under rated please????
@@cyclingartist6827 underated lol never
Not in the UK, of course.
Unfortunately he's less known everywhere else.
Love this still listening in 2024 brings me back to my mod days
Then really them days are still here...❤x
An absolute classic.The modfather is a genius
To me is one of the best songs ever heard in my life, any time heard it, it always gets me! Such a beauty of song, the kind of song that heals you. All hail the king Paul Weller. A huge fan from Peru.
Hello, I'm a big Jam/Paul Weller fan from Peru, too! Glad we don't follow the music norm down there!
And I am another fan from Peru. The Bitterest Pill is mine to take !
@@robertogalvez2423 Yo también soy de Perú y que genial encontrar a 3 peruanos que amen esta banda y esta canción
@@gianpierrezamudio8329 qué genial! Y fuera de ustedes no conozco otros que sean tan fans de The Bitterest Pill de Perú. Lo máximo.
Hola! yo soy de España y también me encantan los Jam y alguna canción como Shout To The Top
YOU WILL NEVER HEAR SONGS THIS GOOD LIKE THIS EVER AGAIN....
I so agree!!
@Niall Packer i felt the same till tonight, check these dudes out. ruclips.net/video/wMehItNQKAA/видео.html
From a time of proper music and artists unlike the shite today
Bollocks. They've been saying that for the last 60 years
I think it qualifies as a rare groove .
He's not called The Modfather for nothing, absolute LEGEND.
The days when i drove a gt 200 and thought id never get old 😊
Sometimes it takes time to rediscover bands and songs to appreciate just how wonderful they are
when I was younger I was in to all kinds of music but I loved the Jam I wasn't a mod or anything actually because we had nothing not a penny to scratch our asses with all I had was music from friends and when I found the jam they captured me like no other band for a long time I still like them to this day.
"Not a penny to scratch our arses"!! U gotta be a londoner?..big respect from an east end lad.
That is such a brilliant comment. Thank you for your insight. The Jam are my favourite band. PW is underrated as a lyricist. For me, he is the poet of my generation. I wish you well.
@@milolee4746 sorry my friend but i live in the north (the true north not like Manchester) North East actually Hartlepool. But still thanks.
wow well said i feel like that
Scratch your donkey??
What a song,what a performer, lyrics really mean something,this music will never come again,just re living my youth I'm 58, mow,wow,you never forget the happy days,music was good, atmosphere,we had it all 😊👍❤️
Hello, how are you doing? It is nice seeing you here.
Legend in all his glory not one bad record ever made
One of the finest songs The Jam ever recorded. It just oozes cool and Paul Wellers lyrics are brilliant.
Agree 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍
I got my The Jam tattoo in April on my arm.They are my favorite band ever.I love them to bits.
Just found this song; instant favourite! Poetic lyrics, amazing chords, beautiful strings and Miss Havisham from Great Expectations in the video to boot!
There used to be a guy down our way with a black and purple Lambretta with beautiful graphics and the words "The Bitterest Pill" scripted in white over the engine cover. Fantastic pop song and a fitting end to the band's output.
Amazing how Wellers voice became so soulful over the years
Thanks Paul for a brilliant youth and so memory youth of this era will never forget you
Mrs H ... This song should get a Billion LIKES ..It a CLASSIC MASTERPIECE...🎶🎙
Such an amazing song. Weller is an unbelievable songwriter, lyricist musician and performer.
My fave Jam song , doesnt get mentioned much or ever played on any radio station , i love it though it has a certain melancholy i like...
Brilliant. Brilliant..paul weller is so talented..this takes me back year's..and those memories..absolutely fantastic 👏😘
A style council in the making here with this one 💙
One of the most stunning songs ever
I’m not a big fan of the Jam or Weller but I could listen to this on repeat all day. Masterpiece of a song…
Was 16 when this came out...bought the LP . One of the best ever.
Its not on an Lp
Probably my favourite The Jam song. I love it's meloncoly, retrospective vibe. A perfect note to end it on.
When I first heard this song back in the day, it instantly became one of the best things I'd ever heard. It still is. Pure poetry.
A timeless classic. Fantasic. I love it. One of their best song's. Thank you. The Jam.
I think back in the day they were class, listening to them today I realise they were even better than class..
This song was perfectly made for “This is England 1996.” One of the greatest series ever shown on Channel 4 “. Shane Meadows always has the hand of the pulse”.
Alan Clarke for me Films
Like Rita Sue Bob too
IMO One of the best song Weller's ever written ☘
When i heard this song recently it transported me instantly back to my school days, got me thinking about those care free days, great track
Great song with Weller heading off into Style Council territory ... what a vocal.
Chris A. Underrated vocal. No production tweaks and tricks needed. Just glorious, perfect talent
@@debboo69 its gorgeous
Fucking brilliant. Classic Jam/Weller. Perfectly encapsulates the inevitable heartbreak of youthful love. God bless Paul Weller and his lyrics…
What a fkn tune.You can hear him changing towards a sound more like The Style Council.Pure class.
One of the best songs ever
They were untouchable then and still are now
It doesnt get any better than this.majestic!
Incredible used to make me cry this song did; its bloody beatiful.
still chokes me up :)
I was a mod in the 70s 80s quite often It was up caranby street use to talk with jam was absolutely outstanding The band I have seen well over 30 times
Thanks for the memories boys ... still re living them in August 2019
Brilliant song and my favourite by The Jam. Brings back some happy memories of 1982.
hard to believe musical youth stopped this classic from getting to no.1
And eye of the tiger, tbf they're both also absolute anthems
Oh yes.....dont even go there !
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. A classic!
Paul Weller always looks so cool and stylish
thank you weller for my youth
I have heard this song over 2,000 times and i never get bored of listening to it.The Bitterest Pill is and always will be my favorite song of all time.
Amazing band, great tune. Love how they're trying not to laugh whilst 'seriously' acting. What a progression from 1977 to this...classy songwriting, superb instrumentation from all three. Fantastic lyrics and quality vocal from Paul.
Such a fkn gorgeous song this! The strings are absolutely beautiful! Definitely in my top 3 fave Jam songs!
Women have come and gone kids have grown up the one constant in my life has been Paul Weller.
Beautiful, magnificent song. Obviously would not have been out of place on a Style Council album, but I'm glad the Jam got to do it just before they clocked off.
i think it was a bit of both to be honest but still very good
definitely one of their best, the lyrics are outta this world, off this planet truth be told. it's a masterpiece in many ways.....nuff said.....
Paul should get a part in EastEnders..That cup smash off the table was excellent
Yeah in each episode he could be seen in the cafe knocking a cup into the floor
What a song,a singer,performer,takes me back ,I made a mistake many years ago......and yes I'm still swallowing that pill,lyrics have so much meaning❤️☹️
The dying spark, you left your mark on me
The promise of your kiss, but with someone else
One of Britain's best songwriters makes emotion well up
What a back catalogue of tunes second to none
One of the best The Jam songs!!!!
Anyone else Paul has a look of Rodney trotter when he's got the mac on haha,love this tune
I wonder if he has his name written on the inside of the coat? :-)
haha he actually does, can't look at this the same now 😂
ISLWYN2007 or wears a bracelet with Rooney engraved on.
ste green ffs was about to comment that
Raven J Grace it says Rodney...
Met paul seller at the red wedge concert in 1986 in Cardiff. Had his autograph and a pic with him. Love his music, this song takes me back to my youth.
I could listen to this song forever and never ever get sick of it ....pure soulfullness in it's finest form
Got to be one of the greatest singer /songwriters of the last 40 years definitely will go down in history
love the jam loved them in the 80s one of England's finest group's
PAUL HAS SUCH A UNIQUE VOICE LOVE THEM ❤️🦋🌈 THANKS THE JAM
Without a doubt one of the best tunes from 1982. Totally gorgeous song. My God I love this song so much. This song fulfills my teenage years.
this was so under looked i think.
The jam were our soundtrack to our early teenage years, and to think, they did LOADS of better tunes than this 1. Thats how good the holy trinity were.
God ..... she's gonna do the whole band!!!
Pure gold ,timeless classic,seems last yesterday even though it was many years ago, no group/singer will beat classic songs like this.
It’s not only the song that’s great but Paul’s gorgeous jacket!!!!🤩 definitely the jacket that’s the main thing!!👍👌👏👏👏👏
Hello, how are you doing? It is nice seeing you here.
Love all by the jam,but this and private hell defo my faves
'Now Autumn breeze blows Summer leaves through my life'...poetry
A classic from the best band ever. 😎🎸👍
not as big as the Beatles were they?
This is The Jam. Their content was amazing
I haven't heard this for 30 years!!!
The Jam,I grew up on, nuff said!
One of the best songs they ever made.
These lyrics are poetry, astounding
Makes me cry every time
Remember buying it on 7 inch.
Still a favourite.
Great songs never age.