Complete List Of The Jam Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo: Neil Twink Tinning, CC BY 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Jam began their journey in Woking, Surrey, England, in the early 1970s, when a young Paul Weller formed a band with friends who shared his deep love of rock and rhythm and blues. Originally starting as a school group, the band gradually developed into a tight, powerful trio featuring Weller on guitar and vocals, Bruce Foxton on bass and backing vocals, and Rick Buckler on drums. As the punk explosion began to dominate the British music scene in 1976, The Jam quickly found their place within it, not by mimicking the aggression of punk’s rawest acts but by infusing it with sharp songwriting, melodic sophistication, and a sense of purpose rooted in the working-class experience. Their music, while born in the punk era, carried a distinctly British sensibility, heavily influenced by 1960s mod culture and artists including The Who, The Kinks, and The Small Faces.

The band signed to Polydor Records in 1977 and released their debut album, In the City, that same year. The title track became their first hit single, reaching the UK Top 40, and established The Jam as one of the most exciting new acts in Britain. The album captured the raw energy of their live performances and showcased Weller’s sharp social observations and talent for crafting memorable hooks. That same year, they followed with This Is the Modern World, which demonstrated their growth both lyrically and musically, even as the band faced intense competition from the rapidly evolving punk and post-punk scenes. Despite their youth, Weller and his bandmates already showed an ambition that set them apart from many of their contemporaries.

It was with their third album, All Mod Cons (1978), that The Jam truly came into their own. The record marked a turning point for the band, earning widespread critical acclaim for its maturity, emotional depth, and strong sense of identity. Songs including “Down in the Tube Station at Midnight,” “To Be Someone (Didn’t We Have a Nice Time),” and “‘A’ Bomb in Wardour Street” revealed Weller’s gift for storytelling, capturing the struggles, disillusionment, and resilience of everyday British life. The album’s mix of punk energy and melodic craftsmanship positioned The Jam as leaders of the new wave movement, bridging the gap between punk’s rawness and pop’s accessibility.

Their next record, Setting Sons (1979), took their songwriting to an even higher level, presenting a semi-conceptual album about friendship, class, and social change. It featured one of their best-loved singles, “The Eton Rifles,” a blistering anthem that reached the UK Top 5 and showcased Weller’s biting political edge. The band’s momentum continued with Sound Affects (1980), which included “That’s Entertainment” and “Start!,” both of which became defining songs of their career. “Start!” reached number one in the UK, while “That’s Entertainment” became one of the most celebrated songs about British life, revered for its vivid portrayal of working-class existence.

By the early 1980s, The Jam had become one of Britain’s most successful and influential bands. Their final studio album, The Gift (1982), saw the group experimenting with funk and soul influences, particularly evident in the hit single “Town Called Malice.” The song topped the UK chart and remains one of their most iconic tracks, representing the sound of social commentary wrapped in irresistible rhythm. Despite their enormous success, Weller’s growing desire to explore new musical directions led to the band’s breakup later that year. Their farewell single, “Beat Surrender,” was another UK number one, closing their career on a high note.

In total, The Jam released six studio albums between 1977 and 1982, along with numerous hit singles that dominated the UK charts. Their influence extended far beyond their relatively short lifespan, shaping the future of British rock and inspiring later generations of bands. Paul Weller went on to form The Style Council before embarking on a highly successful solo career. Bruce Foxton pursued solo work and later spent many years with Stiff Little Fingers. Rick Buckler formed several groups after The Jam and later established the band that became From the Jam with Russell Hastings and David Moore; Foxton subsequently joined the project. Buckler died in 2025.

Over the years, The Jam have been celebrated not only for their music but also for their cultural impact. Their songs reflected the realities of British life with intelligence, empathy, and conviction, resonating deeply with listeners who saw their own experiences mirrored in Weller’s lyrics. Their influence has endured through reissues, documentaries, tribute concerts, and the continued popularity of their recordings.

The Jam’s story is not simply one of musical success but of authenticity, integrity, and the enduring connection between artists and their audience.

Complete List Of The Jam Songs From A to Z

The following list includes The Jam’s studio album tracks, non-album singles, B-sides, EP recordings, and officially released archival songs and demos.

“’A’ Bomb in Wardour Street” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“Absolute Beginners” – non-album single (1981)
“All Around the World” – non-album single (1977)
“All Mod Cons” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“And Your Bird Can Sing” – Extras (1992)
“Art School” – In the City (1977)
“Aunties and Uncles (Impulsive Youths)” – B-side to “News of the World” (1978)
“Away from the Numbers” – In the City (1977)
“Batman Theme” – In the City (1977)
“Beat Surrender” – Beat Surrender EP (1982)
“Best of Both Worlds” – Direction Reaction Creation (1997)
“Billy Hunt” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had to Swallow)” – non-album single (1982)
“Boy About Town” – Sound Affects (1980)
“Bricks and Mortar” – In the City (1977)
“Burning Sky” – Setting Sons (1979)
“But I’m Different Now” – Sound Affects (1980)
“The Butterfly Collector” – B-side to “Strange Town” (1979)
“Carnaby Street” – B-side to “All Around the World” (1977)
“Carnation” – The Gift (1982)
“Circus” – The Gift (1982)
“The Combine” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“David Watts” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“Dead End Street” – Direction Reaction Creation (1997)
“Disguises” – B-side to “Funeral Pyre” (1981)
“Don’t Tell Them You’re Sane” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“Down in the Tube Station at Midnight” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“Dream Time” – Sound Affects (1980)
“The Dreams of Children” – double A-side with “Going Underground” (1980)
“English Rose” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“The Eton Rifles” – Setting Sons (1979)
“Every Little Bit Hurts” – Direction Reaction Creation (1997)
“Fly” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“Funeral Pyre” – non-album single (1981)
“Get Yourself Together” – Extras (1992)
“Ghosts” – The Gift (1982)
“The Gift” – The Gift (1982)
“Girl on the Phone” – Setting Sons (1979)
“Going Underground” – non-album single (1980)
“The Great Depression” – B-side to “Just Who Is the 5 O’Clock Hero?” (1982)
“Happy Together” – The Gift (1982)
“Heat Wave” – Setting Sons (1979)
“Here Comes the Weekend” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“Hey Mister” – Extras (1992)
“I Got By in Time” – In the City (1977)
“I Got You (I Feel Good)” – Extras (1992)
“I Need You (For Someone)” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“I’ve Changed My Address” – In the City (1977)
“In the City” – In the City (1977)
“In the Crowd” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“In the Midnight Hour” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“In the Street Today” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“Innocent Man” – B-side to “News of the World” (1978)
“It’s Too Bad” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“Just Who Is the 5 O’Clock Hero?” – The Gift (1982)
“Life from a Window” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“Little Boy Soldiers” – Setting Sons (1979)
“Liza Radley” – B-side to “Start!” (1980)
“London Girl” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“London Traffic” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“Man in the Corner Shop” – Sound Affects (1980)
“The Modern World” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“Monday” – Sound Affects (1980)
“Move On Up” – Beat Surrender EP (1982)
“Mr. Clean” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“Music for the Last Couple” – Sound Affects (1980)
“News of the World” – non-album single (1978)
“The Night” – B-side to “Down in the Tube Station at Midnight” (1978)
“No One in the World” – Extras (1992)
“Non-Stop Dancing” – In the City (1977)
“Pity Poor Alfie/Fever” – B-side to “The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had to Swallow)” (1982)
“The Place I Love” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“The Planner’s Dream Goes Wrong” – The Gift (1982)
“Pop Art Poem” – Flexipop flexi-disc (1980)
“Precious” – The Gift (1982)
“Pretty Green” – Sound Affects (1980)
“Private Hell” – Setting Sons (1979)
“Rain” – Direction Reaction Creation (1997)
“Running on the Spot” – The Gift (1982)
“Saturday’s Kids” – Setting Sons (1979)
“Scrape Away” – Sound Affects (1980)
“See-Saw” – B-side to “The Eton Rifles” (1979)
“Set the House Ablaze” – Sound Affects (1980)
“Shopping” – Beat Surrender EP (1982)
“Simon” – Setting Sons (Super Deluxe Edition) (2014)
“Skirt” – The Gift (Super Deluxe Edition) (2012)
“Slow Down” – In the City (1977)
“Smithers-Jones” – B-side to “When You’re Young”; later re-recorded for Setting Sons (1979)
“So Sad About Us” – B-side to “Down in the Tube Station at Midnight” (1978)
“A Solid Bond in Your Heart” – Extras (1992)
“Sounds from the Street” – In the City (1977)
“Stand by Me” – Direction Reaction Creation (1997)
“Standards” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“Start!” – Sound Affects (1980)
“Stoned Out of My Mind” – Beat Surrender EP (1982)
“Strange Town” – non-album single (1979)
“Takin’ My Love” – In the City (1977)
“Tales from the Riverbank” – B-side to “Absolute Beginners” (1981)
“That’s Entertainment” – Sound Affects (1980)
“Thick as Thieves” – Setting Sons (1979)
“Time for Truth” – In the City (1977)
“To Be Someone (Didn’t We Have a Nice Time)” – All Mod Cons (1978)
“Tonight at Noon” – This Is the Modern World (1977)
“Town Called Malice” – The Gift (1982)
“Trans-Global Express” – The Gift (1982)
“Walking in Heaven’s Sunshine” – Direction Reaction Creation (1997)
“War” – Beat Surrender EP (1982)
“Wasteland” – Setting Sons (1979)
“Waterloo Sunset” – Sound Affects (Deluxe Edition) (2010)
“We’ve Only Started” – Extras (1992)
“When You’re Young” – non-album single (1979)
“Worlds Apart” – Direction Reaction Creation (1997)