Top singles from the past…
4 June 2020
Band: The Jam
Active: 1972-1982
Single: In The City – debut single
B-side: Takin’ My Love
Released: 22 April 1977
Score: First top 40 hit in the UK
Album: In The City
Hit the city here…
THE JAM: Facebook
Great concert posters from the past…
THE JAM
Leeds, UK – 1979
14 March 2020
Band: The Jam
Single: Going Underground
A stand-alone single
B-side: Dreams Of Children
Released: 14 March 1980 – 40 years ago
Note: The song was actually released as a double A-side
with ‘Dreams of Children’, which originally was planned to be
the only A-side. After a mix-up at the pressing plant, the single
eventually became a double A-side, but radio stations played
the melodic ‘Going Underground’
Score: The band’s first No 1 single in the UK
Original clip…
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THE JAM: Bio – Discography 
THE JAM
4 November 1978
NME
Great magazine covers from the past…
THE JAM
4 November 1978
NME
11 December 2019
On 11 December 1982, 37 years ago today, THE JAM played their last ever concert in Brighton, UK. It was frontman and songwriter Paul Weller who wanted to move on and start other musical projects. Between 1977 and 1982 the band released six triumphant albums – with the 1977 brilliant LP ‘All Mod Cons‘ as my absolute favourite – and no less than 19 hit singles. Although The Jam formed in the 70s punk era the trio’s work was more influenced by R & B, 60s beat music and ‘angry young man‘ rock ‘n’ roll. To celebrate one of the best British groups ever Turn Up The Volume selected three of their standout crackers. Here we go…
– IN THE CITY – 1977
– DOWN IN THE TUBE STATION AT MIDNIGHT – 1978
– THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT – 1981
THE JAM: Discography
Knockouts from the past…
5 December 2019
Band: The Jam
Song: Beat Surrender
B-side: Shopping
Note 1: A double 7″ and a 12″ single version were also available
with cover versions of The Chi-Lites’ ‘Stoned Out of My Mind‘, Curtis
Mayfield’s ‘Move on Up’ and Edwin Starr’s ‘War’
Note 2: It was their fourth No 1 hit in their home country,
topping the chart on 5 Dec 1982, 37 years ago…
Watch Paul Weller dancing to The Jam‘s final single…
THE JAM: Biography
Classics from the past…
15 November 2019
THE JAM released SETTINGS SONS, the fourth LP since their 1977 debut In The City on
16 November 1979, 40 years ago. Definitely one of their best, critically and commercially. It peaked at #4 on the Albums Chart while The Eton Rifles, the sole single of the record was their first Top Ten Hit, reaching number 3.
AllMusic wrote about the album: “The Jam’s ‘Setting Sons’ was originally planned as a
concept album about three childhood friends who, upon meeting after some time apart, discover the different directions in which they’ve grown apart. Only about half of the songs ended up following the concept due to a rushed recording schedule, but where they do, Paul Weller vividly depicts British life, male relationships, and coming to terms with entry into adulthood. Weller’s observations of society are more pointed and pessimistic than ever, but at the same time, he’s employed stronger melodies with a slicker production and comparatively fuller arrangements… ‘Setting Sons’ often reaches brilliance and stands among the Jam’s best albums, but the inclusion of a number of throwaways and knockoffs (especially the out-of-place cover of “Heat Wave” which closes the album) mars an otherwise perfect album.” Score: 5/5
Album in full…
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THE JAM: Biography – All Albums
Back sleeve
Knockouts from the past…
25 October 2019
Band: The Jam
Song: The Eton Rifles
Released: 25 October 1979 – 40 years ago today / B-side: See-saw
Album: Setting Sons – the band’s fourth LP
Note 1: The song attacked one of England‘s most famous
privileged elite schools called Eton College in Berkshire
Note 2: Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron (you know, the guy,
who started the – still ongoing – Brexit drama back in 2016) loved
The Jam and this particular song, despite his elitist upbringing. He said:
“I don’t see why the left should be the only ones allowed to listen to protest
songs.” I agree, but he should learn something out of it…
Note 3: The single peaked at #3 in the UK, their first Top Ten hit
Here we go…
THE JAM: Fan Facebook Page
Knockouts from the past…
6 September 2019
Band: The Jam
Song: Start!
Album: Sound Affects – their fifth LP
Note: It was the band’s eleventh UK single and their second number-one,
following double A-side single ‘Going Underground’/’Dreams of Children’.
‘Start!’ is strongly influenced by both the main guitar riff & bass riff of
The Beatles‘ 1966 song “Taxman” from the album Revolver, written by
George Harrison. Also, B-side ‘Liza Radley‘ borrows from ‘Taxman‘
Success: Topped the UK Singles Chart on 6 September 1980,
39 years ago today
Here are the Fab Four, sorry, I mean The Weller Trio…
THE JAM: Facebook
