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:

TemptedSqueeze

The Squeeze song "Tempted" is one of their few with lead vocals by Paul Carrack, who sang the Ace song "How Long" and was in Mike + The Mechanics.

Room At The TopTom Petty & the Heartbreakers

One of Tom Petty's most personal songs is "Room At The Top," which he stopped performing because it brought back painful memories.

Private DancerTina Turner

Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits wrote "Private Dancer," which went to Tina Turner when he realized it wasn't a song for a man to sing.

Afternoon DelightStarland Vocal Band

The Starland Vocal Band got the title "Afternoon Delight" from the late-afternoon appetizer menu at the restaurant Clyde's Of Georgetown in Washington, DC.

True ColorsCyndi Lauper

With a message of acceptance and inclusivity, "True Colors" became a gay rights anthem. Cyndi Lauper help form an organization called True Colors United to help support LGBTQ youth.

Give It AwayRed Hot Chili Peppers

If what you get equals what you give away, you might as well give it all away. That's the concept behind "Give It Away" by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Editor's Picks

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.