For starters “The Jam” is a post-punk, mod-revival band that was formed in ’72. The band to me seems highly underrated and I think people do need to start listening to their tunes because they’re simply mega.

I’ll not waste much time on the description of the band and begin listing out 5 tunes you need to listen to get into the The Jam

1. JUST WHO IS THE 5’o CLOCK HERO

Reaching the 11th spot in the charts when it was released, this song is really amazing on how it’s able to transport you to this really industrial Britain. It essentially puts the perspective of a normal working class person working from 9-5 and really anyone working can relate to it, there have been many songs talking about the working class man, but this one really nails it with the lyrics

2. GOING UNDERGROUND

Written during the cold-war era, the song rants on about politics and how the writer does not care about attaining world supremacy and would rather prefer going away from all this in his little shell. It rants on about how the money is being used to further the conflict and how certain people get off it. The words of a simple common man.

The way the melody changes on the part where he sings “Lalalala” is something to watch out for.

PS: Would like to thank a certain stranger Paul Ward for finding an error.

3. THE BUTTERFLY COLLECTOR

It’s rumoured that the song is supposed to be on an ex-groupie of sex pistols who after their decline started clinging on the jam in order to be associated with someone famous again. The beauty of the song lies in the fact on how it describes the person; mind you this “person” in the song isn’t a gold-digger but a person who really wants to be associated with famous people in order to make a mark of their own (Quite a lot like a lot of normal people even some would say) .Never has a song ever been written like this one.

great acoustic version collaborated along with Noel Gallagher

4. TOWN CALLED MALICE

“Stop dreaming of the quiet life coz it’s the one you’ll never know”

I personally cling onto every word that Paul sings, each line evokes a strange and lovely emotion that is just not really explainable. After really “Listening” to the track you’ll put him up there with all the great lyrical giants. The organs also accentuate the song sounding like an old video.

Aaand the cracker of a bassline just keeps playing in your head for days

Has a great acoustic version as well

5. THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

Well again Paul ahas nailed it in the lyrics section

“A police car and a screamin’ siren

Pneumatic drill and ripped-up concrete

A baby wailing, a stray dog howling

The screech of brakes and lamplight blinking

That’s entertainment

That’s entertainment”

The song may not be my first choice to get into the The Jam, because of the repetitive nature of the song but once if you really “get” the lyrics its becomes a song you will keep close to your heart, beaming with this laziness and a little tinge of negativity, The Jam captures the more boring side of the British life, something I see less talked about.

SO, here is my little list, if you have a better more catchier tracks for the ones starting off, do comment below