Album: Beat Surrender (1981)

Charted: 21

License This Song 

Songfacts®:

• This sarcastic, acoustic punk song finds Paul Weller brooding over the heartaches of everyday working-class life. Speaking to Mojo magazine about the tune in 2015, the former Jam frontman said: "It's one of those list songs really. It was so easy to write. I came back from the pub, drunk, and just wrote it quick. I probably had more verses, which I cut."
  
  "It was just everything that was around me y'know. My little flat in Pimlico did have damp on the walls and it was f--king freezing."
  
  "I was doing a fanzine called December Child and Paul Drew wrote a poem called 'That's Entertainment.' It wasn't close to my song, but it kind of inspired me to write this anyway. I wrote to him saying, Look is it all right if I nick a bit of your idea, man? And he said, It's fine, yeah."
• This song is number 306 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs. According to the magazine, Weller claims he wrote this in 10 minutes after "Coming home pissed from the pub" (in England, "pissed" means drunk). >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Erik - Catonsville, MD
• This reached #21 in the UK despite only being available at the time as a German import. At the time it was the biggest-selling import release and record high chart placing.
• The song appeared in the 2006 movie Stranger than Fiction, when Will Ferrell's character Harold Crick is on a bus.

Comments: 11

• Liam from EssexThe Jam in the UK had 9 top 10 singles and 4 number ones, versus The Clash's 1 number 1. The Jam were much bigger in the UK than The Clash in terms of record sales and hits. In terms of influence, they're around equal
• Kirsty Duggins from London, EnglandAgreeing with Andy’s message to Kwami.
  I would say that (in the UK) The Jam were arguably bigger than The Clash. I am a big fan of both bands.
  The Jam are certainly not forgotten here.
• Andy from Leeds, UkThis is in reply to Kwami, The Jam remain a band of some standing here in the UK, far bigger and further reaching than The Clash to be fair.
  They’re a long way from being forgotten!!!!
• Al Jones from LondonThis song is used in The Gentleman with Matthew McConaughey.
• Kwami from Washington Dc, Dc"Feeding ducks in the park and wishing you were far away." I always loved that line. Great song by a great, and completely forgotten, band. What a shame, they could've been as big as the Clash with better management and support from their label.
• Chris from Leeds, United KingdomThe story goes that Paul Weller wrote this drunk after coming home from the pub. It originally had an extra verse, but it got cut at recording.
  
  At the time Parolophone's German branch decided to release the record in Germany, but the UK company declined. Such was the fervour of the Jam's fans they bought the imported version in such numbers is reached #21 in the charts. This happened again with another Jam song "Just Who is The 5'o Clock Hero"
• Jeff from Liverpool, Englandthis song was never going to be released in the uk, but a mix up at german record label metronome meant that it was released in the uk but only on their record label although it did reach uk#21
• Michael from Indianapolis, InThis song was used in the movie "Stranger than Fiction". When Will Ferrell's character Harold Crick was on a bus near the end.
• Ben from London, EnglandThis song shows exactly what it was like growing up in the 70s (and now) in a housing estate.
• Jack from Belfast, IrelandI was told he wrote it after he got home from the oub and was a bit drunk and he wrote it in ten minutes.
• Erik from Catonsville, MdGreat song. Paul Weller wrote this while riding a bus through the city at night.

More Songfacts:

Big Yellow TaxiJoni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" is about the commercialization of Hawaii. On her first trip to the islands, she looked out of her hotel window and saw a parking lot as far as the eye could see.

We're Not Gonna Take ItTwisted Sister

Musically, the Twisted Sister song "We're Not Gonna Take It" is based on the Christmas tune "O Come All Ye Faithful."

The FlameCheap Trick

Cheap Trick hated the ballad "The Flame" but recorded it because they needed a hit, and the song delivered, going to #1.

The BestTina Turner

"The Best" by Tina Turner was originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler; Turner's hit version added a bridge and a saxophone solo by Edgar Winter.

RoyalsLorde

Lorde was 16 years and 11 months old when "Royals" topped the Hot 100. In doing so she became the youngest ever solo artist to write and perform a #1 hit.

GreaseFrankie Valli

The song "Grease," sung by Frankie Valli in the 1978 movie, was written by Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees.

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?