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 among 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 like 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 being just teenagers, Weller and his bandmates already showed an ambition that set them apart from 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 like “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 of 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 charts and remains one of their most iconic tracks, representing the sound of social commentary wrapped in irresistible rhythm. Despite their enormous success, internal tensions and 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 a new generation of bands, including The Smiths, Oasis, and The Libertines. Paul Weller went on to form The Style Council before embarking on a highly successful solo career that solidified his reputation as one of Britain’s greatest songwriters. Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler continued to perform and later formed From the Jam, keeping the spirit of the band’s music alive for new audiences.

Over the years, The Jam have been celebrated not only for their music but 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 countless reissues, documentaries, and tribute concerts, keeping their legacy vibrant decades after their final performance.

Outside of their recording career, the members of The Jam have remained active in supporting charitable causes and local initiatives. Paul Weller, in particular, has been involved in numerous benefit concerts and advocacy work, continuing the socially conscious spirit that defined much of his songwriting. The Jam’s story is not just one of musical success but of authenticity, integrity, and the enduring connection between an artist and his audience.

Complete List Of The Jam Songs From A to Z

‘A’ Bomb in Wardour Street – All Mod Cons – 1978
All Mod Cons – All Mod Cons – 1978
Art School – In the City – 1977
Away from the Numbers – In the City – 1977
Batman Theme – In the City – 1977
Beat Surrender – The Gift – 1982
The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had to Swallow) – The Gift – 1982
Boy About Town – Sound Affects – 1980
Bricks and Mortar – In the City – 1977
Billy Hunt – All Mod Cons – 1978
Burning Sky – Setting Sons – 1979
But I’m Different Now – Sound Affects – 1980
The Butterfly Collector – All Mod Cons – 1978
Carnation – The Gift – 1982
Circus – The Gift – 1982
The Combine – This Is the Modern World – 1977
David Watts – All Mod Cons – 1978
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
English Rose – All Mod Cons – 1978
The Eton Rifles – Setting Sons – 1979
Fly – All Mod Cons – 1978
Ghosts – The Gift – 1982
The Gift – The Gift – 1982
Girl on the Phone – Setting Sons – 1979
The Great Depression – The Gift – 1982
Happy Together – The Gift – 1982
Heat Wave – Setting Sons – 1979
Here Comes the Weekend – This Is the Modern World – 1977
I Got By in Time – In the City – 1977
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
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
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 – The Gift – 1982
Mr. Clean – All Mod Cons – 1978
Music for the Last Couple – Sound Affects – 1980
Non-Stop Dancing – In the City – 1977
Pity Poor Alfie / Fever – The Gift – 1982
The Place I Love – All Mod Cons – 1978
The Planner’s Dream Goes Wrong – The Gift – 1982
Precious – The Gift – 1982
Pretty Green – Sound Affects – 1980
Private Hell – Setting Sons – 1979
Running on the Spot – The Gift – 1982
Saturday’s Kids – Setting Sons – 1979
Scrape Away – Sound Affects – 1980
Set the House Ablaze – Sound Affects – 1980
Shopping – The Gift – 1982
Slow Down – In the City – 1977
Smithers-Jones – Setting Sons – 1979
A Solid Bond in Your Heart – The Gift – 1982
Sounds from the Street – In the City – 1977
Standards – This Is the Modern World – 1977
Start! – Sound Affects – 1980
Stoned Out of My Mind – The Gift – 1982
Takin’ My Love – In the City – 1977
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
War – The Gift – 1982
Wasteland – Setting Sons – 1979
We’ve Only Started – The Gift – 1982

Albums

In the City (1977): 12 songs

This Is the Modern World (1977): 12 songs

All Mod Cons (1978): 13 songs

Setting Sons (1979): 10 songs

Sound Affects (1980): 11 songs

The Gift (1982): 21 songs

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