I remember writing an analysis of these lyrics for English homework which was to write about your favourite poem. The teacher, who hadn't heard of The Jam, was so impressed I had to read the lyrics out and my analysis in front of the class.
When i was on Holiday in England and Ireland (1972 i was 12yo Ma and Da were from Dublin but i was born in NYC) i asked my dad if we could ride on the Tube while we were in London for a few days. He told me No Son that's a NO GO ZONE! 8 years later Weller, Bruce and Rick played this song live at The Palladium in NYC my 2nd Jam show. I still get Chills hearing this song. England gave the world The Jam and NYC gave the world The Ramones Cheers
However gritty the lyrics, its a belter and tell me it does make you feel comfy - it was the soundtrack of our generation, afterall. Harder perhaps, but happier, simpler days all the same.
I am proudly remembering when mi old mate, Jason Totham introduced me to The Jam in 1982.. it all started with the song 'wasteland' .. sony walkman & into The Jam i went.. never looked back since.. I'm 53 now, blazin' to this classic at 5am in ze morning & loving the nostalgia ! ❤ Praise GOD 🙏🏾
I was a teen growing up in London when this came out. It's not a song it's a fly on the wall documentary! One of the best, most accurate bits of social commentary ever recorded. I absolutely love it.
Great comment. This was the Angel. One track. Northern Line. Everything was kicking off then. The media really stirred things up. If you weren't in the forces then there was a sense of obligation on the streets. The lyrics to this are so rapid and on target. Eton Rifles is similar,
As a Brittish Asian i can affilliate particularly with this fantastic illustration of life when circumstances are poisoned and pregnated by extremist hatred towards innoccent humans going about there daily business . Bravo again the Jam.
We've been organising an online class reunion ('74-'81) during the virus lockdown; musically all anyone seems to talk about is how brilliant The Jam were!
@Gar I'm assuming that's in jest, given that The Jam were hugely popular with the UK left-leaning working class in the late 70s and early 80s; many of their songs are critical of the right-wing establishment.. Paul Weller was part of the Red Wedge movement in the mid-80s promoting left wing politics, and has remained vocal politically all the way through his career. hey ho..
This is a superb description of the bleak and utilitarian atmosphere of the London underground and its sense of never-far-away danger. However, gone are the days of fumbling for change, putting in money and pulling out a plum, it's all card and apps now. The innocence of the kid's voice shouting "yes, it's coming!" contrasts brilliantly with the horrible story that unfolds as the song progresses.
Quite simply......the music of my youth. I and many like me were lucky lads, to grow up and listen to this angry young man and his outlook on 70 and 80s Britain made me the man I'm today. But I dont think he has done anything decent since heavy soul. We all know you are a smoothy Paul, but be real cool and do 1 Jam tour. If all the shite of yesteryear can reform then why not one of Britains finest bands. Go on !!!!!!!
The last verse where Paul Weller is telling the story of the mugged man is amazing The music brings a chill to my spine Paul's riff Bruce's bass line and Rick's drumming just finishes off the song nicely 😉😉😉😉😉♥️. 💯%. Excellence
Same here Mike, as an ex skinhead girl I was down in the tube station at midnight & witnessed some bad things, scared for my life.and I could smell the brown leather.
the jam were the very first famous band i ever saw and it was 1 of the defining experiences of my life- the energy and power and pasion of their music and lyrics were incredible,just out of this world! ive seen many great bands since but that gig is up their and i'll probably be rambling on about it when im a little old lady in a nursing home!lollol!wonderful!
The distant echo Of faraway voices boarding faraway trains To take them home to The ones that they love and who love them forever The glazed, dirty steps Repeat my own and reflect my thoughts Cold and uninviting, partially naked Except for toffee wrappers and this morning's papers Mr. Jones got run down Headlines of death and sorrow, they tell of tomorrow Madmen on the rampage And I'm down in the tube station at midnight, oh I fumble for change, and pull out the Queen Smiling, beguiling I put in the money and pull out a plum Behind me Whispers in the shadows, gruff blazing voices Hating, waiting "Hey boy" they shout, "Have you got any money?" And I said, "I've a little money and a takeaway curry I'm on my way home to my wife She'll be lining up the cutlery, you know she's expecting me Polishing the glasses and pulling out the cork" I'm down in the tube station at midnight, oh I first felt a fist, and then a kick I could now smell their breath They smelt of pubs, and wormwood scrubs And too many right wing meetings My life swam around me It took a look and drowned me in its own existence The smell of brown leather It blended in with the weather Filled my eyes, ears, nose and mouth, it blocked all my senses Couldn't see, hear, speak any longer I'm down in the tube station at midnight, oh I said I was down in the tube station at midnight, oh The last thing that I saw as I lay there on the floor Was "Jesus saves" painted by an atheist nutter And a British rail poster read "Have an away day, a cheap holiday, do it today" I glanced back on my life, and thought about my wife 'Cause they took the keys, and she'll think it's me I'm down in the tube station at midnight The wine will be flat and the curry's gone cold I'm down in the tube station at midnight, oh Don't want to go down in a tube station at midnight, oh Don't want to go down in a tube station at midnight, oh Don't want to go down in a tube station at midnight, oh Don't want to go down in a tube station at midnight, oh
I used to sing this on Kareoke with my mates long after the Jam had finished. Was (and still am a big fan). Still have a lot of their vinyl including all the singles. Good memories of my previous life..
Still know every word of this song 44 years after it came out. Like everyone else, you either know all of the lyrics or none of them (apart from the 9 word chorus.) Still a thrilling song.
Powerful words, from such young fellas. Fucking best days of my life, the 70s/80s. Now I'm an Old Git, with great taste in music. Cant wait to play this stuff in the Care Home. 😂👍
for me, maybe just me,but this is my iconic symbol of the late seventies, i truly loved those days and feel privieliged to have been 18 at this time, it was bloody excellant
i remember listening to all mod cons way back in 1978 and this track stood out, it has long been my all time favourite, even when i was in my teens i used to say, "the best thing ever put on plastic" still think the same now,even way back in 78, the extended guitar part on the album haunts me still, i used to play it over and over, brilliant, was a great time to be alive
Best ever and always will be,you had to there,heard it in a pub the other week,missed a minibus home because i wouldn't leave till the end of the track...
i was 13 in 1983 when i first heard this and by then the jam were done- but ive seen weller in the states 4 times since 1992- hes my musical hero- one of the best songwriters in uk history and the Jam were simply top class-
Great job you did with the video. I rember buying this in early 80 releases when I was about 10 or 11. I first played it around my grandads house and he said he liked it.
i had learnt this song word for word b4 my 10th birthday..... my oldman is a massive jam fan and seen them live tons of times. id kill for the chance to see them myself..:(
Recently went with my mum through the Underground; been using it for three years now. She lived in London in the 1970s and what a different place it was as she described it.
I remember writing an analysis of these lyrics for English homework which was to write about your favourite poem. The teacher, who hadn't heard of The Jam, was so impressed I had to read the lyrics out and my analysis in front of the class.
I'm 60 this year and still listening to the jam ❤
I'm 42 loving the jam 🇬🇧💗💗🇬🇧
65 this year and still singing this and strange town
I’m 53 listen to them most days
This is one of the best songs ever written about 70's Britain.
Markee Ledge good on you for keeping this track, this band going ! The Jam! Great!
fair comment
Damn .. that bad?
@@raccooneyes2099 Fuckin worse now
Can’t argue there 👍
Even after all these years I still feel a chill when I hear the line "they took the keys and she'll think it's me"
Same bro
Absolutely
Yes! In an age devoid of mobile phones, that was a terrifying prospect. The sense of helplessness is almost tangible here.
When i was on Holiday in England and Ireland (1972 i was 12yo Ma and Da were from Dublin but i was born in NYC) i asked my dad if we could ride on the Tube while we were in London for a few days. He told me No Son that's a NO GO ZONE! 8 years later Weller, Bruce and Rick played this song live at The Palladium in NYC my 2nd Jam show. I still get Chills hearing this song. England gave the world The Jam and NYC gave the world The Ramones Cheers
One of the best Jam tracks ever, still hasn't lost it's flavour after all these years either.
THE best
@@johnord684too right my son
best British song ever
🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧💗👍
However gritty the lyrics, its a belter and tell me it does make you feel comfy - it was the soundtrack of our generation, afterall. Harder perhaps, but happier, simpler days all the same.
Great song and yes London in the 70,s after the pub you could get into some trouble without it being your fault
From Ireland. Huge Jam fan but you really 'get' these songs when you are in London. Absolutely class, music, poetry and life.
one of the best bass-lines of all time.
The best lyrics ever written and a killer tune. No wonder I love them so much . 44 yrs now.
62, loved them then, still do, always will till i die
I am proudly remembering when mi old mate, Jason Totham introduced me to The Jam in 1982.. it all started with the song 'wasteland' .. sony walkman & into The Jam i went.. never looked back since.. I'm 53 now, blazin' to this classic at 5am in ze morning & loving the nostalgia ! ❤ Praise GOD 🙏🏾
God London was beautiful back then..!! ^^
Different gravy this from one of Britains best every bands.
Timeless masterpiece
I love this song sooo much 🇬🇧 👍
I was a teen growing up in London when this came out. It's not a song it's a fly on the wall documentary! One of the best, most accurate bits of social commentary ever recorded. I absolutely love it.
Oh I don't get it. Care to explain HOW I don't get it? Or do you just want to throw little boy insults around?
I went down them tube stations in the 80s, I know what you mean, and i had a load of lads with me haha
Great comment. This was the Angel. One track. Northern Line. Everything was kicking off then. The media really stirred things up. If you weren't in the forces then there was a sense of obligation on the streets. The lyrics to this are so rapid and on target. Eton Rifles is similar,
Truth
@@soapy3204spot on !
Parka's two tone trousers button down collars and jam shoes. What a youth I had. Miss those days. The jam were gods when I was growing up.
This tune is quite possibly one of the greatest songs ever recorded to wax.
Great British song ever ever
As a Brittish Asian i can affilliate particularly with this fantastic illustration of life when circumstances are poisoned and pregnated by extremist hatred towards innoccent humans going about there daily business . Bravo again the Jam.
Simply the best band of their generation and they didn't get any better than this
the lyrics are so to the point and how true to life......such class that weller and foxton had in songwriting.
one of the best songs ever written ! fair play to the jam and weller they did some excellent tracks
Cos they took the keys, she"ll think it's me !!!
Chilling, but brilliant line.
56 still listening to this 💙
beat you by four years ....superb song and band
We've been organising an online class reunion ('74-'81) during the virus lockdown; musically all anyone seems to talk about is how brilliant The Jam were!
your only a pup 61 i am lol
@@Harrylechat01 Absolutely💯
Good on you Michelle!
Timeless band
One of the most important bands of our time
Sound of my youth
Songs that defined my youth living in London/England in the late seventies and early eighties. Still listen to their music, they are still relevant
Who the hell would give this a thumbs-down?? Long live The Jam!!
muslims
@Gar I'm assuming that's in jest, given that The Jam were hugely popular with the UK left-leaning working class in the late 70s and early 80s; many of their songs are critical of the right-wing establishment.. Paul Weller was part of the Red Wedge movement in the mid-80s promoting left wing politics, and has remained vocal politically all the way through his career.
hey ho..
Too many right-wing meetings....
People who have no idea of what life is about, the seventies where a violent time
great music but Britain was in a mess
@@duncanparsons but in 77 he was a Tory 😮
Remember buying the single,Jam always had great picture covers……….Still one of the best songs in History
love this song wellers a genius
Saw them headline Rock the Loch (Loch Lomond Scotland) in 1980
Jumped about in the mud like a loon when they did this…oh to be young again.
Fuckin poetry , Important Bass ,excellent tune !
THE ultimate Jam song IMO
This is a superb description of the bleak and utilitarian atmosphere of the London underground and its sense of never-far-away danger. However, gone are the days of fumbling for change, putting in money and pulling out a plum, it's all card and apps now.
The innocence of the kid's voice shouting "yes, it's coming!" contrasts brilliantly with the horrible story that unfolds as the song progresses.
The jam one word excellent
Quite simply......the music of my youth. I and many like me were lucky lads, to grow up and listen to this angry young man and his outlook on 70 and 80s Britain made me the man I'm today. But I dont think he has done anything decent since heavy soul. We all know you are a smoothy Paul, but be real cool and do 1 Jam tour. If all the shite of yesteryear can reform then why not one of Britains finest bands. Go on !!!!!!!
You can not get better lyrics than this Genius 👌👌👍👍
The last verse where Paul Weller is telling the story of the mugged man is amazing The music brings a chill to my spine Paul's riff Bruce's bass line and Rick's drumming just finishes off the song nicely 😉😉😉😉😉♥️. 💯%. Excellence
Same here Mike, as an ex skinhead girl I was down in the
tube station at midnight & witnessed some bad things, scared for my life.and I could smell the brown leather.
True,Weller is a true master of his craft.Love the British accent and Bruce Foxton baselines.
If they'd made only this one song, they'd be musical gods but the catalogue is huge!
this band was the stuff back in the day, and their music has stood the test of time..still love it all, very powerfull ..thanks for posting this
Am a child of the sixties growing up with music that changed the world but this song/group is up there with the greatest lyrics ever written.
These kids wanna get a grip coz this is the music i grew up on as a kid in NW England... PROPER MUSIC !!!
Thanks for the upload. There was this and Strange Town, for me on 45's.
Sheer brilliance.
my favorite bass line from the punk/new wave era. powerful lyrics. u can feel the tension
In my top three tracks from. The Jam. Kudos to whomever put this together.
👍
I loved that channel and story behind the song...
Thank you so much for this song and Stay Strong COLLECTIVE 📶📶📶📶📶📶💜💜💜💜💜💜🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️💪💪💪💪💪💪
They made so many timeless songs pure class
the jam were the very first famous band i ever saw and it was 1 of the defining experiences of my life- the energy and power and pasion of their music and lyrics were incredible,just out of this world! ive seen many great bands since but that gig is up their and i'll probably be rambling on about it when im a little old lady in a nursing home!lollol!wonderful!
Possibly one of the Greatest Tracks ever recorded, Fortunate enough to see them Live !!! xxx
+SAM CASINO me too! x
Yes bud not my favourite, it's a shame how weller has turned out, would not go to my local club to c him
Balls
@@granto6712 What don't you like about how he's "turned out"?
Same here
The distant echo
Of faraway voices boarding faraway trains
To take them home to
The ones that they love and who love them forever
The glazed, dirty steps
Repeat my own and reflect my thoughts
Cold and uninviting, partially naked
Except for toffee wrappers and this morning's papers
Mr. Jones got run down
Headlines of death and sorrow, they tell of tomorrow
Madmen on the rampage
And I'm down in the tube station at midnight, oh
I fumble for change, and pull out the Queen
Smiling, beguiling
I put in the money and pull out a plum
Behind me
Whispers in the shadows, gruff blazing voices
Hating, waiting
"Hey boy" they shout, "Have you got any money?"
And I said, "I've a little money and a takeaway curry
I'm on my way home to my wife
She'll be lining up the cutlery, you know she's expecting me
Polishing the glasses and pulling out the cork"
I'm down in the tube station at midnight, oh
I first felt a fist, and then a kick
I could now smell their breath
They smelt of pubs, and wormwood scrubs
And too many right wing meetings
My life swam around me
It took a look and drowned me in its own existence
The smell of brown leather
It blended in with the weather
Filled my eyes, ears, nose and mouth, it blocked all my senses
Couldn't see, hear, speak any longer
I'm down in the tube station at midnight, oh
I said I was down in the tube station at midnight, oh
The last thing that I saw as I lay there on the floor
Was "Jesus saves" painted by an atheist nutter
And a British rail poster read
"Have an away day, a cheap holiday, do it today"
I glanced back on my life, and thought about my wife
'Cause they took the keys, and she'll think it's me
I'm down in the tube station at midnight
The wine will be flat and the curry's gone cold
I'm down in the tube station at midnight, oh
Don't want to go down in a tube station at midnight, oh
Don't want to go down in a tube station at midnight, oh
Don't want to go down in a tube station at midnight, oh
Don't want to go down in a tube station at midnight, oh
I used to sing this on Kareoke with my mates long after the Jam had finished. Was (and still am a big fan). Still have a lot of their vinyl including all the singles. Good memories of my previous life..
Great song ever ever ever ever
A Huge and beautiful piece of pop art in my opinion!!!
Still know every word of this song 44 years after it came out. Like everyone else, you either know all of the lyrics or none of them (apart from the 9 word chorus.)
Still a thrilling song.
Powerful words, from such young fellas. Fucking best days of my life, the 70s/80s. Now I'm an Old Git, with great taste in music.
Cant wait to play this stuff in the Care Home. 😂👍
😂😂👍👍👌👌
Great tune. Timeless
for me, maybe just me,but this is my iconic symbol of the late seventies, i truly loved those days and feel privieliged to have been 18 at this time, it was bloody excellant
"We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell."
Oscar Wilde.
Brilliant
awesome punk rock track from legends the jam, love this one, yeah sums up england at the time with this song.
'The wine will be flat and the curry's gone cold'. class!
agree with the last coment, "one of best songs ever"
such an amazing bass line!
i remember listening to all mod cons way back in 1978 and this track stood out, it has long been my all time favourite, even when i was in my teens i used to say, "the best thing ever put on plastic" still think the same now,even way back in 78, the extended guitar part on the album haunts me still, i used to play it over and over, brilliant, was a great time to be alive
👍
polishing the glass's and pulling out the cork , brilliant lyrics
Best ever and always will be,you had to there,heard it in a pub the other week,missed a minibus home because i wouldn't leave till the end of the track...
Love you V.E. And your channel!!!…….🥷🥷🥷🥷🥷🥷🥷💫✨🏴☠️
love the thames opening..great tune!
Absolutely fantastic track
i was 13 in 1983 when i first heard this and by then the jam were done- but ive seen weller in the states 4 times since 1992- hes my musical hero- one of the best songwriters in uk history and the Jam were simply top class-
Heard this well I was in Great Britain. How great is that?
Yeah. ... amazing 😕
play it through headphones with the bass up, the heartbeat is great
one of the best songs.....ever.
Amazing song, lyrics and band ❤️
top fackin tune!!!
and I love the B side a tribute to yhe brilliant late keith moon, so sad about us ,
A very special piece of music,captured that time perfectly...
now where is my Zimmer,,gonna see if I can still dance to it!!
Blonde RocknRoll,totally totally couldnt agree more
Fantastic to see these Jam vids some 30-4 years later. Still have all the LPs.. Remembering a gig in 1981. Great time. Greetings from Denmark
I wish we played t
Our music back the days yea never shown no 1 our music
Pure poetry
Great gritty music. A good example of how to do it.
🎸🥁🎸back when music was music🎸🥁🎸🤘
the vision of tube station is wonderful....great lyrics and true to life.one of my fave tracks from The Jam(seen them on 5 tours)
Great job you did with the video. I rember buying this in early 80 releases when I was about 10 or 11. I first played it around my grandads house and he said he liked it.
Love the first bit. The child saying "the trains coming "
who knows if he/she knows that there is a recording of his/her voice at that early age.
Child? Sounds like an old drunk 😂
I was there hearing all the time this song on BBC 4 ....
Love this tune ... still awesome after all these years ...
Thames. I Love It. - the two best bands in the entire world- never heard of in the US. The Jam and Wire. Genius poets not yet realized.
I remember this well. I was only 13 when it came out. Great Times! :o)
you perfectly described that atmosphere...I'm missing London
The Jam at there best :)
Very good.
i had learnt this song word for word b4 my 10th birthday..... my oldman is a massive jam fan and seen them live tons of times. id kill for the chance to see them myself..:(
Recently went with my mum through the Underground; been using it for three years now. She lived in London in the 1970s and what a different place it was as she described it.
awesome....real music with an opinion.
Seminal stuff, just brilliant
Mate I was 19 when this was released still as good now as then.