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 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 🙏🏾
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 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,
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
@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..
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!
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.
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.
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
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..
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
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.
Brilliant lyrics reflecting the atmosphere for travelling on the tube in the late 70s. I am sure that the same prevails today in other areas, but thankfully not as prevalent as then. But on the other hand, where do you hear the energy in tracks like this today? This music is just fantastic
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...
Thank you for the music….this is dedicated to all my homeless brothers everywhere who struggles are day to day in the concrete jungles and real jungles in this world. We wandered a desert of the unwanted invisible men my brothers and I know how much you loved and have suffered from this painful existence. We have so much love to give to this world and yet we are unseen and unwanted in this society. Food deserts 🏜 in struggling communities…asphalt gardens that we are unwanted inside of. No homeless person especially for a man can spend time in one without harassment or being targeted as a Predator of violent or sexual crimes. Often people are humbled by this and turn to god only to find that their countrymen see them as lepers deserving gods wrath as a SIN…to them wealth and status is beyond that level of compassion to see your brothers and sisters. Women often will get shelter spaces and family groups to help them out of their horrible and horrific situations that exist in shelters and they still struggle to give adequate assistance for their children and themselves. Many shelters separate the men from the families but offer just a few beds for them..forcing them to separate and wander alone as unwanted outcast. No man feels comfortable and safe in a walled garden 🪴 who’s purpose is for the community to enjoy nature and sit alone without the judgment,.. that without a child or woman present..he must be a dangerous person regardless of what clothes or social status he has in this life. To be homeless in the USA is a crime on every law in our books describing UGLY LAWS…but they are not GODS LAW and are an evil act against humanity and his people…all gods children are his children. Growing up on the Maine coast as a child homeless and starving I had to live year round in the woods and travel 🧭 each day to soup kitchens in order to feed myself from what I could not supplement from the woods. Too young to be able to stay in any shelters and hounded by police departments for being homeless and unloved. I’m so sorry my brothers and sisters for your struggles. To me as a child of faith and un-loved orphan by my own family members and hometown. I always considered myself as an American Aghori and a Buddhist monk..just surviving in an unwanted world. This song to me is dedicated to ALL H0M3LESS Children and Adults who are Struggling in this world. I’ve had to sleep in many graveyards just in order to feel safe and protect behind a gardenend-wall where no one would look for me…hiding behind steel fences and tombstones 🪦 from daily persecution for just being a kid. You are all Aghori to me my loves ❤️❤️❤️❤️💔💔💔💔🖤🖤🖤🖤💙💙💙💙 Someday people will change their minds about us and love us anyway. I love you so very much and sending music 🎶 and prayers to you today 💙🖤❤️💙🖤❤️💙🖤❤️✨ Om mani padme hum 💜🪴🤺🪦
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.
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 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-
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..:(
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
