When You're Young
Paul Weller, The Jam
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh Life is timeless, days are long when you're young You used to fall in love with everyone Any guitar and any bass drum Life is a drink and you get drunk when you're young Life is new and there's things to be done You can't wait to be grown up Acceptance into the capital world You pull on some weed, then you pull on someone when you're young But you find out life isn't like that It's so hard to comprehend Why you set up your dreams to have them smashed in the end But you don't mind you've got time on your side And they're never gonna make you stand in line You're just waiting for the right time Whoa-oh, whoa-oh You're fearless and brave, you can't be stopped when you're young You swear you're never-ever gonna work for someone No corporations for the new-age sons Tears of rage roll down your face But still you say it's fun And you find out life isn't like that It's so hard to understand Why the world is your oyster but your future's a clam It's got you in its grip before you're born It's done with the use of a dice and a board They let you think you're king but you're really a pawn Whoa-oh, whoa-oa Whoa-oh You're fearless and brave, you can't be stopped when you're young You used to fall in love with everyone Any guitar and any bass drum Whoa-oh, whoa-oh (going home, going home) Whoa-oh, whoa-oh (going home, going home) Whoa-oh, whoa-oh (going home, going home) Whoa-oh, whoa-oh (going home, going home) Whoa-oh, whoa-oh (going home, going home) Whoa-oh, whoa-oh...
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Album Origin"When You're Young" is a song by the British rock band The Jam, released in August 1979. It was not part of an album but issued as a standalone single.
|
Band MembersThe members of The Jam when the song was released were Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton, and Rick Buckler.
|
Writer InformationPaul Weller, the frontman of The Jam, is credited as the sole songwriter of "When You're Young." He was just 21 years old when he penned this track.
|
Musical StyleKnown for their mod revival/punk rock style, The Jam combined elements of rock and roll, R&B, and Beat music in "When You're Young," reflecting the growing up struggles of working class youth.
|
Chart PerformanceThe song reached No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart and remained on the chart for 8 weeks—an impressive feat for a non-album release.
|
B-Side TrackThe B-side of the "When You're Young" single was "Smithers-Jones," a song composed and sung by bassist Bruce Foxton.
|
Significance"When You're Young" is seen as an anthem about the optimistic naivety of youth and how it's crushed by the realities of adult life. Its poignant lyrics have resonated with generations of listeners.
|
Live Performances"When You're Young" was regularly played at The Jam's concerts until the band broke up in 1982. In later years, Paul Weller often included this song in his solo performances.
|
Cover VersionsSeveral artists have covered "When You're Young," including Irish band The Blades, British band The Enemy, and Australian band Radio Birdman.
|
Music VideoThe Jam made one of their first music videos for "When You're Young." The video featured footage of the band playing the song combined with some documentary-style street scenes.
|
LegacyToday, more than 40 years after its release, "When You're Young" is still regarded as one of the essential songs of The Jam and is cherished by the band's fans worldwide.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"When You're Young Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/27109341/The+Jam/When+You%27re+Young>.
Discuss the When You're Young Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
Accept answer
Offer Reward & Get Noticed
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In