The songs are from the third album 'All Mod Cons', incredible really to think that Weller was only 19 when he wrote the songs for the album.
Having said that about Weller, this single was a double A-side but it was the cover of the Kinks song 'David Watts' that got all the airplay on radio. What was very unusual was that the lead vocal was by Bruce Foxton, the bassist, and not Weller. And their aren't many Jam songs when that happened. Written by Weller hero Ray Davies, the song is based on someone Davies knew at school, and was gay, which meant in the 60's the message had to be subtle - although re-listening to it, it's not that subtle.
The other A-side is one of Weller's angriest and direct social commentaries, especially the hate and violence that punk had started to attract. It was a theme he would re-visit in 'Down At The Tube Station At Midnight', but this was an angry 19 year-old from Woking pleading for those intent on causing mayhem in the capital to see the error of their ways and where it all might end (apocalypse!).
I was lucky enough to see The Jam at Portsmouth Guildhall at this time, they were a brilliant live band and for a three piece they made a great sound.
Here's the songs:
(Have included live version with Weller in complete Kinks mod look, check out how young he looks)
https://youtu.be/YC0_NyIxw7A
https://youtu.be/-tLIZsijVwg
