One of the Jam's early singles, released in October 1977 (42 years ago!!) the only single off their second album. Already Paul Weller was marked out as a spokesperson for his generation and this song - part of his manifesto for youth over the 'old guard' - cemented that position further. Here's the music:
https://youtu.be/oWrd9XuSKZg
Just looking at the front cover of the picture sleeve underlines how young these guys were - Weller was 18 and still living in Woking with his parents. The maturity of his lyrics and the power of the songs marked The Jam out as something different. I saw The Jam in their prime in 1978 at Portsmouth Guildhall and for a three-piece they blew the place apart.
The Jam didn't really fit into the standard punk categorisation but their attitude was completely punk. Weller drew on all his influences though - soul, motown and mod -especially when shaping the sound and look of the band. Just look at the B-sides to this single, The Jam's live versions of two soul classics but played at break neck punk speed. Well worth a listen and showing that The Jam were never going to be pigeon-holed into a single musical genre. Remember these songs were recorded 11th September 1977 at the 100 Club on Oxford Street - the so-called 'home' of punk rock. Quite brilliant.
https://youtu.be/Hu1X2c3o8YQ
