Not only were The Jam a musical force of nature, but young Messrs Weller and Foxton had a way with a lyric too, never being afraid to make bold personal and political statements.
It's probably no exaggeration to say that The Jam's lyrics influenced a generation, so we've identified 25 pieces of wisdom from the band's songs.
So, with the new, comprehensive vinyl box set The Studio Recordings being released on November 25th, you can put their records on and accurately claim that you're 'learning': click on the pictures below to start your education.
The Jam - The Studio Recordings, an 8-piece box set, featuring all six studio records remastered on vinyl, plus two extra discs of non-album singles and B-sides, together with a hardback book with new liner notes is released November 25th and available to preorder now
(Images: Rex)
Art School
"Never worry if people laugh at you, the fools only laugh 'cos they envy you"
I've Changed My Address
"It's OK being in love girl, but then fun is second best; no-one's gonna tie me down"
In The City
"You'd better listen man, because the kids know where it's at"
Non-stop Dancing
"We don't care if it rains or shines, 'cause everything's fine inside, when we're dancing"
The Modern World
"This is the modern world, we don't need no-one to tell us what's right or wrong"
London Traffic
"Leave the city free from traffic, give the place a chance to survive, dirt and filth cover London, give it a chance to breathe again"
Standards
"We have the power to control the whole land"
Here Comes The Weekend
"Don't hang around and be foolish, do something constructive with your weekend"
Tonight At Noon
"Now is the time to explore, why waste the world outside when you're sure"
In The Crowd
"And everyone seems that they're acting a dream, 'cause they're just not thinking about each other and they're taking orders, which are media spawned and they should know better, now you have been warned"
'A' Bomb in Wardour Street
"A Philistine nation, of degradation and hate and war. There must be more."
Burning Sky
"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"
Smithers-Jones
"The only one smilin' is the sun-tanned boss"
Eton Rifles
"What chance have you got against a tie and a crest?"
Pretty Green
"And they didn't teach me that in school, it's something that I learnt on my own: that power is measured by the pound or the fist"
Set The House Ablaze
"Hatred has never won for long"
Start
"What you give is what you get"
Ghosts
"One day you'll walk right out of this life, and then you'll wonder why you didn't try to spread some loving all around. Old fashioned causes like that still stand: gotta rid this prejudice that ties you down"
Just Who Is The 5 O'Clock Hero?
"There's gotta be more to this old life then this, scrimping and saving and crossing of lists"
Trans-Global Express
"The day the working people join together, we'll all rest much more easy"
Running On The Spot
"Intelligence should be our first weapon"
The Planner's Dream Goes Wrong
"If people were made to live in boxes, God would have given them string to tie around their selves at bed time and stop their dreams falling through the ceiling"
Town Called Malice
"Stop apologising for the things you've never done, 'cos time is short and life is cruel"
Bricks & Mortar
"This is progress, nothing stands in its path"
Sounds From The Street
We're never gonna change a thing and the situation's rapidly decreasing - but what can I do? I'm trying to be true, that's more than you, at least I'm doing something"
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