The Jam Album

[No lyrics]

Bring you a tale from the pastel fields
Where we ran when we were young
This is a tale from the water meadows
Trying to spread some hope into your heart

It's mixed with happiness, it's mixed with tears
Both life and death are carried in this stream
That open space you could run for miles
Now you don't get so many to the pound

True it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to
That I'll always run to
Won't you join me by the riverbank

Paradise found down by the still waters
Joined in the race to the rainbow's end
No fears, no worries just a golden country
Woke at sunrise, went home at sunset

Now life is so critical, life is too cynical
We lose our innocence, we lose our very soul

True it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to
That I'll always run to
True it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to
That I always run to
Won't you join me by the riverbank
Come on and join me by the riverbank

Liza Radley - see the girl with long hair
See her creeping across summer lawns at midnight
And all the people in the town where we live
Say "she's not quite right"
She don't fit in with a small town

They just can't understand why she doesn't say much
But in her darkend room it's for their lives only
She cries

Liza Radley - see her jump through loneliness
Liza Radley - take me when you go

And as the people pass by - their heads in the air
Haunting with their noise - she recalls a lonely sigh

But no matter what they say in her mind
She knows their dream of life, they won't ever find

Liza Radley - I pledge myself to you alone
She'd kiss my face and say "Love means nothing at all"
She'd kiss my face and say "Life means nothing at all"

Hush now child and don't you cry
Your folks might understand you by and by
Move on up towards your destination
You may find from time to time
Complications

Bight your lip and take a trip
Though there may be wet road ahead
You cannot slip
So move on up and peace you will find
Into the steeple of beautiful people
Where there's only one kind

So hush now child and don't you cry
Your folks might understand you by and by
Just move on up and keep on wishing
Remember your dreams are your only schemes
So keep on pushing

Take nothing less - not even second best
And do not obey - you must have your say
You can past the test

Move on up!

High town - high street connections
With clothes at the top of my list
You could steal things from the jewelry department
But you can't take kind or steal a kiss

As I flit from shop window to window
I'm trying to pick up a friendly bargin
But it's not like the adverts all make out
And there's no one to greet you as a friend

I dress myself for the part
I smile but it just don't work
Something about my face - must just be the wrong shape
I better try another brand pretty quick

I'm haunted by the colours and holding a reminder that I must be inadequate
High town - high street connection
With clothes at the top of my list

Here we go again, it's Monday at last,
He's heading for the Waterloo line,
To catch the 8 a.m. fast, its usually dead on time,
Hope it isn't late, got to be there by nine.

Pin stripe suit, clean shirt and tie,
Stops off at the corner shop, to buy The Times
'Good Morning Smithers-Jones'
'How's the wife and home?'
'Did you get the car you've been looking for?'

Let me get inside you, let me take control of you,
We could have some good times,
All this worry will get you down,
I'll give you a new meaning to life - I don't think so.

Sitting on the train, you're nearly there
You're part of the production line,
You're the same as him, you're like tin-sardines,
Get out of the pack, before they peel you back.

Arrive at the office, spot on time,
The clock on the wall hasn't yet struck nine,
'Good Morning Smithers Jones'
'The boss wants to see you alone'
'I hope its the promotion you've been looking for'

Let me get inside you, let me take control of you,
We could have some good times,
All this worry will get you down,
I'll give you a new meaning to life - I don't think so.

'Come in Smithers old boy'
'Take a seat, take the weight off your feet'
'I've some news to tell you'
'There's no longer a position for you' -
'Sorry Smithers Jones'.

Put on the kettle and make some tea
It's all a part of feeling groovie
Put on your slippers turn on the TV
It's all a part of feeling groovie
It's time to relax, now you've worked your arse off
But the only one smilin' is the sun tanned boss
Work and work and work and work till you die
There's plenty more fish in the sea to fry

Kid walks down the street
Bumps into emptiness
Pow!
Kid looks at the sky
Looks at his watch
Decides to go home
Zap!

Kid spies pretty girl
Walks up to her
Kisses her
On the mouth
Where else?

And all day long I was thinking
I was thinking this, that and the other
And...
When!
So am I

I made this up as I went along
It's good innit?

Boy About Town

See me walking around i'm the boy about town that you heard of
See me walking the streets i'm on top of the world that you heard

Oh like paper caught in wind
I glide upstreet, I glide downstreet
Oh and it won't let you go
Till you finally come to rest or someone picks you up
Upstreet downstreet and puts you in the bin

See me walking around i'm the boy about town that you heard of
See me walking the streets i'm on top of the world that you heard
Oh i'm sitting watching rainbows
And watching the people go crazy
Oh please leave me aside
I want to be a, I want to be,
I want to live in,
Upstreet downstreet like paper caught in wind
Upstreet downstreet it won't let you go

Na na na nah, na na na nah
Na na na na na na nah

Na na na nah, na na na nah
There's more than you can hope for in this world

Feel is a word I can't explain
At least not in words that are plain
Make it easy to express
But I'll try to do my best
To hit you where it counts
I just want to build up
A solid bond in your heart
(Yeah) A solid bond in your heart (Aha)

I'm fuelled by the idea
That this world was made to share
But it never seems to work out
And all we seem to share
Is doubt and misery
Please let me try to build
A solid bond in your heart heart

Aah, I just want to build up
A solid bond in your heart heart
It's what's missing from this life
And the trust you need to ignite
Any dream worth holding dear
When that dream is so near

You gotta try and try to get it back
Push it to the limit and build
A solid bond in your heart

Come down - your tea is on the table
Nothing seems to matter anymore
And if you're good we'll go out on Sunday
Spend the whole day thinking of you
Take you sailing across the water
To a faraway place
Remember when life was lovely
Forever was captured in your smile
When we were young and life was hopeful
No one threatend our existence
We were laughing
They couldn't stop us
No one in the world

Remember when life was lovely
Forever was captured in your smile
When we were young and life was hopeful
No one threatend our existence
We were laughing
They couldn't stop us
No one in the world

Tell me that you've got everything you want
But you don't get me
You say you've seen seven wonders
And you're bird is green
But you don't see me
When your prized possessions start to weigh you down
Look in my direction,
I'll be 'round
I'll be 'round

When your bird is broken
Will it bring you down
You may feel awoken
I'll be 'round
I'll be 'round

You tell me that you've heard every sound there is
And your bird can swing
But you don't get me
You can't hear me

How are things in your little world?
I hope they're going well, and you are too
Do you still see the same old crowd?
The ones who used to meet every Friday
I'm really sorry that I can't be there
But work comes first, I'm sure you'll understand
Things are really taking off for me
Business is thriving, and I'm showing a profit

And in any case it wouldn't be the same
'Cause we've all grown up, and we've got our lives
And the values that we had once upon a time
Seem stupid now, 'cause the rent must be paid
And some bonds severed, and others made

Now I don't want you to get me wrong
Ideals are fine when you are young
And I must admit we had a laugh
But that's all it was and ever will be

'Cause the burning sky keeps burning bright
And as long as it does (and it always will)
There's no time for dreams when commerce calls
And the taxman's shouting, 'cause he wants his dough
And the wheels of finance won't begin to slow

And it's only us realists who are gonna come through
'Cause there's only one power higher than that of truth
And that's the burning sky

Oh and by the way I must tell you
Before I sign off, that I've got a meeting next week
With the head of a big corporate
I can't disclose who, but I'm sure you'll know it

And the burning sky keeps burning bright
And it won't turn off till it's had enough
It's the greedy bastard who won't give up
And you're just a dreamer if you don't realize
And the sooner you do will be the better for you
Then we'll all be happy, and we'll all be wise
And all bow down to the burning sky

Then we'll all be happy, and we'll all be wise
And together we will live beneath the burning sky

Times were so tough, but not as tough as they are now
We were so close and nothing came between us and the world
No personal situations

Thick as thieves us, we'd stick together for all time
And we meant it but it turns out just for a while
We stole the friendship that bound us together

We stole from the schools and their libraries
We stole from the drugs that sent us to sleep
We stole from the drink that made us sick
We stole anything that we couldn't keep
And it was enough, we didn't have to spoil anything
And always be as thick as thieves

Like a perfect stranger, you came into my life
Then like the perfect lone ranger
You rode away, rode away, rode away, rode away

We stole the love from young girls in ivory towers
We stole autumn leaves and summer showers
We stole the silent wind that says you are free
We stole everything that we could see
But it wasn't enough - and now we've gone and spoiled everything
Now we're no longer as thick as thieves

You came into my life
Then like a perfect stranger
You walked away, walked away, walked away, walked away

Thick as thieves us, we'd stick together for all time
And we meant it but it turns out just for a while
We stole the friendship that bound us together

We stole the burning sun in the open sky
We stole the twinkling stars in the black night
We stole the green belt fields that made us believe
We stole everything that we could see

But something came along that changed our minds
I don't know what and I don't know why
But we seemed to grow up in a flash of time
While we watched our ideals helplessly unwind

No, we're no longer as thick as thieves - no
We're not as thick as we used to be, no
We're no longer as thick as thieves, no
We're not as thick as we used to be

No it wasn't enough
And we've gone and spoiled everything
Now we're no longer as thick as thieves

I used to know everything about you
But today when I tried to point you out to one of my friends
I picked the wrong girl again
Can't see you in the crowd anymore
I think it's you but I can't be sure
You're wearing disguises
Occasionally a girl suprises me when she turns out to be you
Wearing disguises
I don't think you want me to see you ever again
Yesterday I saw you dressed as a flower bed
Last week you had a wig on your head
Mis-directed traffic in the street
And your shoes were too big for your feet
You're wearing disguises
Occasionally a girl suprises me when she turns out to be you
Wearing disguises

I used to know everything about you
But today when I tried to point you out to one of my friends
I picked the wrong girl again
Can't see you in the crowd anymore
I think it's you but I can't be sure
You're wearing disguises
Occasionally a girl suprises me when she turns out to be you
Wearing disguises

You say that you miss him
I can tell by the way you kiss him
Get yourself together
And you'll be alright
You say that you love him
Now he's gone so please forget him
Get yourself together
And you'll be alright
I'm just like you so take my lead
You see me as a friend but
I'm a friend in need

Get yourself together
And you'll be alright

So if you feel that you need me
I'm here beside you
Can't you see me?
Get yourself together
And you'll be al-right

Get yourself together
You're gonna be alright

So you finally got what you wanted
You've achieved your aim by making the walking lame
And when you just can't get any higher
You use your senses to suss out this week's climber
And the small fame that you've acquired
Has brought you into cult status
But to me you're still a collector

There's tarts and whores but you're much more
You're a different kind 'cause you want their minds
And you just don't care 'cause you've got no pride
It's just a face on your pillowcase
That thrills you

And you started looking much older
And your fashion sense is second rate like your perfume
But to you in your little dream world
You're still the queen of the butterfly collectors

As you carry on 'cause it's all you know
You can't light a fire
You can't cook or sew
You get from day to day by filling your head
But surely you must know the appeal between your legs
Has worn off

And I don't care about morals
'Cause the world's insane and we're all to blame anyway
And I don't feel any sorrow
Towards the kings and queens of the butterfly collectors

There's tarts and whores but you're much more
You're a different kind 'cause you want their minds
And you just don't care 'cause you've got no pride
It's just a face on your pillowcase
That thrills you

As you carry on 'cause it's all you know
You can't light a fire
You can't cook or sew
You get from day to day by filling your head
But surely you must know the appeal between your legs
Has worn off

And I don't feel any sorrow
Towards the kings and queens of the butterfly collectors

I think we must have all gone mad
Maybe right turned over
They promise us the earth
Instead we've got the great depression

Now you're free and easy with the base
You blame your brothers and sisters
And neurotics say sod the rest
It's the new dissention

Into the abyss
By pushing forwards
It's always down
It's a desperate war
You're trying to blow yourselves up
You don't care who you stand... with the help about
Hey heywell that's not the way

No sense or reason in your fussing and fighting
And your violent obsession
Who's ever really left feeling fine
After the great depression?
No sense of purpose in the competion
Keeping up with the Jones's
You buy a house,
You buy a car
You buy a marriage and a bed of roses

Into the abyss
By pushing forwards
It's always down
It's a desperate war
You're trying to blow yourselves up
You don't care who you stand ... with the help about

Hey hey well
That's not the way

Baby when I found out you were lying
Playing around and conniving
Undesired tears I was crying
'Cause sugar coated as I was buying
I was just a backseat driver in a car of love
Going wherever you take me
Don't know why I put up with the pain
'Cause no one else can make me

You've got me going - stoned out of my mind

And when you led me to the waters I drank it
But I drank more than I could hold
And you took my mind off my body
And now you want to take my soul

Where can I run?
Where can I hide?
Who can I talk to?
Tell me what more can I do?

You've got me going - stoned out of my mind

Playing around with every guy in town
It's funny I just can't put you down
See my head - it's spinning around
Since the day you let me down

The streets of pleasure took you to top
But every light was red and every sign said stop
I felt so confined, just like glued to this spot, oh
'Cause we were sleeping in the noon day sun
We escaped the test and the marathon run
And no one heard and these mournful cries of "Alfie!"
We put a stop to that
Whoa, but Alfie, I wish you'd please come back

So no one's hurt - we might have made it through
But now there's nothing left except the memories of you

With overflowing powerful woes
'Cause there's real and fright
To the top of the stairs to find poor Alfie
And blood stained letters don't count for change
And don't look for blame
'Cause it's a fair exchange
For the last adventure I have left

'Cause we were sleeping in the noon day sun
We escaped the test and the marathon run
And no one heard and these mournful cries of "Alfie!"
We put a stop to that
Oh, but Alfie, I wish you'd please come back

Now it's gonna be hard for me to make it through
When all that's left is the memories of
Nothing left except the memories of war and pain
Please pity poor Alfie

Poor Alfie put a stop to that
Poor Alfie I wish you'd please come back
Poor Alfie put a stop to that
Oh, but Alfie I wish you'd please come back
Poor Alfie!

You'll never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
'Cause when you put your arms around me
I get a fever I can hardly bear
You give me fever
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever through the daytime
I get a fever all through the night

Sun lights up the daytime
Moon lights up the night
I light up when you kiss me
And I know you're gonna treat me right
You give me fever
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever through the daytime
I get a fever all through the night

Bless my soul I love you
Take me so far away
Take these arms I'll never use
Just believe what my words have to say
You give me fever
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever through the daytime
I get a fever all through the night

You give me fever

Picked you up and let you down and
I never said a word -
But I'm different now and I'm glad that you're my girl
Mess you 'round and upset you I
hurt you most of all -
But I'm different now and I'm glad that you're my girl

Fun lasts for seconds, love lasts for days but
But you can't have both -
And I'm different now but I'm glad that you're my girl

Because I know I done some things
That I should never have done
But I'm different now and I'm glad that you're my girl

I feel good
I knew that I would now
So good
So good
I've got you
I feel nice
Like sugar and spice
So nice
So nice
I've got you

When I hold in my arms
I know that you do me no harm

Because it's real you think it's a joke
Because it's on your doorstep you have to have a poke
At someone
It's only a cliche because it's all true
Time after time it happens through and through
To a new generation

You're just so smug in your elected seat
You've got your papers sorted out but you can't find your feet
Well, I'm not surprised

Hey mister with your head in the clouds
You can't see further than the shillings and pounds
The things that you say don't mean nothing anymore
You have no control they've broken down all the doors
And the only way that you'll fix them up
Is another war

If you think I'm gonna die in a financial war
You've got another thing coming and
And what's more there's lots like me

You juggle lives around with the stroke of a pen
But we've paid to see that move and now we won't pay again
The cost is too high

Hey mister your smiles been erased
You can't understand why we're losing face
Perhaps it's the promises that you never kept
"Never had it so good"
Well do you want a bet?

Saturday's boys live life with insults,
Drink lots of beer and wait for half time results,
Afternoon tea in the light-a-bite - chat up the girls - they
dig it!
Saturday's girls work in Tesco's and Woolworths,
Wear cheap perfume 'cause its all they can afford,
Go to discos they drink Babycham talk to Jan - in bingo
accents.
Saturdays kids play one arm bandits,
they never win but that's not the point is it,
Dip in silver paper when their pints go flat,
How about that - far out!

Their mums and dads smoke Capstan non filters,
Wallpaper lives 'cause they all die of cancer,
What goes on - what goes wrong.

Save up their money for a holiday,
To Selsey Bill or Bracklesham Bay,
Think about the future - when they'll settle down,
Marry the girl next door - with one on the way.

These are the real creatures that time has forgot,

Not given a thought - its the system -
Hate the system - what's the system?

Saturdays kids live in council houses,
Wear v-necked shirts and baggy trousers,
Drive Cortinas fur trimmed dash boards,
Stains on the seats - in the back of course!

It's like the middle of a ... age
I feel the space between us all
A forced expense
But the big divide
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Let's take a chance with beginner's luck
We have nothing so there's nothing to lose
I can't believe the only reasons we're here
Are the reasons in the Bank of England

Hear me now
We've only started
They'll just exploit us but it's only day one
We haven't got that far
Not far at all

So sad about us
So sad about us
Sad - never meant to break up
Sad - suppose we'll never make up
Sad about us

So bad about us
So bad about us

Bad - let the music stop now
Bad - suppose we can't turn back now
Bad about us

Apologies mean nothing when the damage is done
But you can't switch off my loving
Like you can't switch off the sun

So sad about us
So bad about us

Sad - never meant to break up
Sad - suppose we'll never make up
Sad about us

Sup up your beer and collect your fags -
There's a row going on down near Slough.
Get out your mat and pray to the West.
I'll get out mine and pray for myself.

Thought you were smart when you took them on,
But you didn't take a peep in their artillery room.
All that rugby puts hairs on your chest.
What chance have you got against a tie and a crest?

Hello-Hurray - what a nice day for the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles.
Hello-Hurray - I hope rain stops play for the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles.

Thought you were clever when you lit the fuse,
Tore down the house of commons in your brand new shoes,
Composed a revolutionary symphony,
Then went to bed with a charming young thing.

Hello-Hurray - cheers then, mate. It's the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles.
Hello-Hurray - an extremist scrape with the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles.

What a catalyst you turned out to be:
Loaded the guns, then you run off home for your tea -
Left me standing like a guilty schoolboy...

What a catalyst you turned out to be:
Loaded the guns, then you run off home for your tea -
Left me standing like a naughty schoolboy...

We came out of it naturally the worst:
Beaten and bloody, and I was sick down my shirt.
We were no match for their untamed wit,
Though some of the lads said they'd be back next week.

Hello-Hurray - it's the price to pay to the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles.
Hello-Hurray - I'd prefer the plague to the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles.

Hello-Hurray - it's the price to pay to the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles.
Hello-Hurray - I'd prefer the plague to the Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles.

Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles!
Eton Rifles, Eton Rifles!