So, this song is about the British class system, and how it is so ingrained that however hard you fight, or however hard you try, the only way to get to the other side of the road is to be born over there. A great song by a great band.
Ok, the lyrics are extremely political. I'll try to keep the explanation as brief as possible. Background. In the 1930's, during the depression, unemployed ship workers from the shipyards of Tyneside (NE England) marched to London to petition the government, who were ignoring their plight, for work/jobs. This was called the Jarrow Crusade and is a very famous political/historical landmark here. Fast forward 50 years (1980's) and Britain is in that situation again under the uncaring right wing Margaret Thatcher government. So several groups of unemployed workers in the north (hardest hit) decided to recreate the march. As they got near to London they passed through Slough, Berkshire, where Eton College is situated. Eton is most exclusive private school in England for the children of the wealthiest and most privileged. Both David Cameron (former Prime Minister) and the just ousted, Boris Johnson, still clinging on to the position at time of writing are both ex alumni. As the march passed through, the students came out of the school and started taunting, insulting and trowing stones at the marchers. Fights broke out, a riot ensued. When the police arrived the Eton boys ran back in to the college and safety. The working class marchers were given the blame, many were arrested and they were portrayed in the right wing dominated media as hooligans and scum. This song tells the story of that event.
Even now in the UK we have a government full of wealthy public schoolboys running the show - nothing has really changed since this was released. "What chance have you got against a tie and a crest"
If you’re going to do this channel at least have the decency to have the lyrics alongside and do a bit of research on the English class system. It’s total hubris if you ignore what Weller is trying to say. This isn’t Prince or Britney Spears.
It ain't a fun song. Eton is a very expensive private school. The song is about a march for the unemployed that went by Eton school. Boys from Eton school went along to jeer at the marchers. A fight broke out. That's what the song is about.
For me, this song is political and is even more relevant today, probably not just in the UK but in America too. It's about how people born to privilege and power can manipulate the lower classes for their own ends. Nigel Farrage and Donald Trump spring to mind. Both public educated, with privileged upbringings pretending to be on the side of the common person, but really, they are using people to get what they want. The line "What a catalyst you turned out to be, loaded the guns and ran off home for your tea" perfectly sums up Trump and Farrage in today's world.
Prime Minister, Mayor of London, Chancellor of the exchequer, Archbishop of Canterbury. The list of ex-Eton school boys goes on and on. The Country is virtually run by them.
Eton produced more Prime Ministers than any other school put together. And not usually with great results (see David Cameron, Boris Johnson). This was written after he'd read a news item on Eton pupils getting tangled up with people on a march for jobs I believe. Very much about the British class system.
When my daughter was young, maybe 3 or 4 years old, she saw Paul Weller on TV performing and asked, 'Who is this man, and why is he so angry?'. All I could say was, 'This is Paul Weller, and that is his job.'.
Thanks for playing this, I was a teenager in England when this band were about. Mods! Paul Weller, the singer has become a huge hit since then. Listen to some of his stuff its great. And he is still a Mod! and a very cool dude
Kia Ora hello it's heath Holly hell I've been going through your back catalogue HOW MUCH HAS CHANGED your production has 💥 EXPLODED 100% BETTER sound/video and your delivery 👍 what a change a year makes WELL DONE MY FRIENDS 🤘👏👏👏
86 87 I turned away from us music, radio everything, the Jam I joyfully turned too , including alot of British punk and Oi! I just couldn’t stand the top 40 back then. From then on I rarely listen or acknowledge regular music and have got a lot of crap from people even friends. But I lov what I get to listen to , I think that’s why I was gravitated towards your reaction channel. Initially I was trying to find a video from Aus Rotten and a reaction video appeared. I haven’t heard of these reaction videos but watching that one was mind opening. And then your channel popped up a lot and I liked what you had to say and at the time the Stranglers was getting a lot of attention
I lived near Windsor when this was around. We were smart dressed working lads (mods) & the Eton boys were in town with there silly school clothes. Posh school boys in the Government 🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍
So, this song is about the British class system, and how it is so ingrained that however hard you fight, or however hard you try, the only way to get to the other side of the road is to be born over there. A great song by a great band.
Ok, the lyrics are extremely political. I'll try to keep the explanation as brief as possible. Background. In the 1930's, during the depression, unemployed ship workers from the shipyards of Tyneside (NE England) marched to London to petition the government, who were ignoring their plight, for work/jobs. This was called the Jarrow Crusade and is a very famous political/historical landmark here. Fast forward 50 years (1980's) and Britain is in that situation again under the uncaring right wing Margaret Thatcher government. So several groups of unemployed workers in the north (hardest hit) decided to recreate the march. As they got near to London they passed through Slough, Berkshire, where Eton College is situated. Eton is most exclusive private school in England for the children of the wealthiest and most privileged. Both David Cameron (former Prime Minister) and the just ousted, Boris Johnson, still clinging on to the position at time of writing are both ex alumni. As the march passed through, the students came out of the school and started taunting, insulting and trowing stones at the marchers. Fights broke out, a riot ensued. When the police arrived the Eton boys ran back in to the college and safety. The working class marchers were given the blame, many were arrested and they were portrayed in the right wing dominated media as hooligans and scum. This song tells the story of that event.
Even now in the UK we have a government full of wealthy public schoolboys running the show - nothing has really changed since this was released. "What chance have you got against a tie and a crest"
If you’re going to do this channel at least have the decency to have the lyrics alongside and do a bit of research on the English class system. It’s total hubris if you ignore what Weller is trying to say. This isn’t Prince or Britney Spears.
It ain't a fun song. Eton is a very expensive private school. The song is about a march for the unemployed that went by Eton school. Boys from Eton school went along to jeer at the marchers. A fight broke out. That's what the song is about.
For me, this song is political and is even more relevant today, probably not just in the UK but in America too. It's about how people born to privilege and power can manipulate the lower classes for their own ends. Nigel Farrage and Donald Trump spring to mind. Both public educated, with privileged upbringings pretending to be on the side of the common person, but really, they are using people to get what they want. The line "What a catalyst you turned out to be, loaded the guns and ran off home for your tea" perfectly sums up Trump and Farrage in today's world.
Prime Minister, Mayor of London, Chancellor of the exchequer, Archbishop of Canterbury. The list of ex-Eton school boys goes on and on. The Country is virtually run by them.
Eton produced more Prime Ministers than any other school put together. And not usually with great results (see David Cameron, Boris Johnson). This was written after he'd read a news item on Eton pupils getting tangled up with people on a march for jobs I believe. Very much about the British class system.
These two haven't got a clue!!
Not a fun song but a protest song written by one of England's greatest musicians.
That Bruce Foxton bass. wow!
When my daughter was young, maybe 3 or 4 years old, she saw Paul Weller on TV performing and asked, 'Who is this man, and why is he so angry?'. All I could say was, 'This is Paul Weller, and that is his job.'.
It’s an iconic timeless song, I was about 16yrs old when it came out, I still have the single on picture cover!! Love it!! 👍🇬🇧
Manic street preachers...you stole the sun from my heart
Thanks for playing this, I was a teenager in England when this band were about. Mods! Paul Weller, the singer has become a huge hit since then. Listen to some of his stuff its great. And he is still a Mod! and a very cool dude
Kia Ora hello it's heath Holly hell I've been going through your back catalogue HOW MUCH HAS CHANGED your production has 💥 EXPLODED 100% BETTER sound/video and your delivery 👍 what a change a year makes WELL DONE MY FRIENDS 🤘👏👏👏
86 87 I turned away from us music, radio everything, the Jam I joyfully turned too , including alot of British punk and Oi! I just couldn’t stand the top 40 back then. From then on I rarely listen or acknowledge regular music and have got a lot of crap from people even friends. But I lov what I get to listen to , I think that’s why I was gravitated towards your reaction channel. Initially I was trying to find a video from Aus Rotten and a reaction video appeared. I haven’t heard of these reaction videos but watching that one was mind opening. And then your channel popped up a lot and I liked what you had to say and at the time the Stranglers was getting a lot of attention
I lived near Windsor when this was around. We were smart dressed working lads (mods) & the Eton boys were in town with there silly school clothes. Posh school boys in the Government 🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍
One of the best mod bands ever
Kia ora hello you just got another sub you have reawakened some VERY GOOD OLD MEMORY'S chur chur cuzzies Thank you