In the City

The Jam

About In the City

"In the City" is the debut single by English mod revival band The Jam from their album of the same title. It was released on 29 April 1977 and reached No. 40 on the UK Singles Chart in May 1977, making it their first Top 40 single and the beginning of their streak of 18 consecutive Top 40 singles. While the album was not particularly successful in the UK charts, the song was the UK's first introduction to The Jam, and was characteristic of Paul Weller's youth anthems—mod-influenced celebrations of British youth—that dominated the band's early output. Musically, the song is in the vein of the band's first album, a mod/punk number influenced by The Who's early music, but with an energy and attitude updated for the punk era. "In the City" borrowed its title from an obscure Who song of the same name, which was released in 1966 as the B-side of the "I'm a Boy" single (and which can now be found as a bonus track on most CD re-issues of their 1966 album A Quick One). The Sex Pistols' single"Holidays in the Sun", released six months after The Jam's "In the City", took its descending introductory chord pattern from the latter. Though "Holidays" intro is C,B,A,G and played with empty chords, the "In the City" intro is C,G,D,G and played with major chords; the similarity is rhythmic but generally superficial. Lyrically, the song is a celebration of youth in the big city, and of what Paul Weller called the "young idea", reflecting Weller's optimism for the punk movement. There was also a direct reference to police brutality: "In the city, there's a thousand men in uniform/And I hear they now have the right to kill a man". 


Year:
1983
2:20
88 

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In the city there's a thousand things I want to say to you
But whenever I approach you, you make me look a fool
I wanna say, I wanna tell you
About the young ideas
But you turn them into fears
In the city there's a thousand faces, all shining bright
And those golden faces are under twenty-five
They wanna say, they gonna tell ya
About the young idea
You better listen now you've said your bit-a, go!

And I know what you're thinking
You still think I am crap
But you'd better listen, man
Because the kids know where it's at

In the city there's a thousand men in uniforms
And I've heard they now have the right to kill a man
We wanna say, we gonna tell ya
About the young idea
And if it don't work, at least we said we've tried

In the city, in the city
In the city, in the city
In the city there's a thousand things I want to say to you

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The Jam

The Jam were an English punk rock/New Wave/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped clothes, and they incorporated a number of mainstream 1960s rock and R&B influences rather than rejecting them, placing The Jam at the forefront of the mod revival movement. more »

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Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


24 facts about this song

Band Information
"In The City" was the debut single of the British band, The Jam. The group consisted of Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton, and Rick Buckler.
Release Date
The song was first released on 29 April 1977 as part of the band's first album, also titled "In The City".
Song Inspiration
According to Paul Weller, the song was inspired by the energy and passion of London, acknowledging how the city's environment and culture majorly influence their music.
Chart Success
Unlike many debut singles, "In The City" had impressive commercial success. It reached number 40 on the UK Singles Chart and helped to establish The Jam's significant presence in the punk rock scene.
Re-recording
The song was re-recorded and released as a single in the United States in December 1980, making it one of the few Jam tracks to be issued as a 45 in America.
Musical Style
"In The City" showcases Weller's distinctive guitar playing and vocal style. It is widely regarded as a pioneering and influential track in the early punk rock movement in the UK.
Lyrics
The lyrics of "In The City" are fuelled by teenage angst and the desire for freedom, characteristic themes of punk rock music.
Cover Versions
"In The City" has been covered by various artists over the years, demonstrating its enduring appeal and influence on rock music.
Legacy of the Song
Despite The Jam disbanding in 1982, "In The City" continues to be associated with Paul Weller and is often played at his solo concerts.
Era Reflection
The song reflects the band's fascination and frustration with life in a modern city, creating a cultural snapshot of Britain in the late 1970s.
Album Success
The album "In the City", of which the song was the title track, achieved a Gold certification. This means it sold over 100,000 copies in the UK.
Signature Song
"In The City" is often considered a signature song of The Jam, encapsulating their energy, style, and musical ethos.
Band Formation
"In the City" is the debut single by British band "The Jam", formed in 1972 with Paul Weller as one of its founding members along with Steve Brookes, and Rick Buckler.
Release Date
The single, titled "In the City", was released on 29th April 1977.
Album Title
This title track was also the name of their debut album, "In the City".
Musical Style
"In the City" embodied the band's distinctive punk rock style fused with elements of pop and garage rock.
Chart Performance
Upon its release, "In the City" reached number 40 on the UK Singles Chart, marking the band's first entry into the charts.
Lyrics
The lyrics of the song "In the City" were highly influenced by teenage angst and disenchantment with urban living, which resonated with many young people at the time.
Band Dissolution
Despite its early success, The Jam disbanded in 1982 with Paul Weller opting to launch a solo career.
Paul Weller's Success
Paul Weller, often referred to as the "Modfather", enjoyed a successful solo career and he often performed "In the City" at his solo concerts.
Album Reviews
The album "In the City" was lauded by critics for its raw energy and lyrics reflecting the struggles of young urban life.
Legacy
Today, "In the City" is considered a classic anthem of the punk era and a key song in The Jam's repertoire.
Notable Cover
The British rock band Oasis performed a cover of "In the City" as part of a tribute to The Jam.
Song Duration
“In the City” is relatively short, with a duration of just 2 minutes and 20 seconds.

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