The Eton Rifles

The Jam

About The Eton Rifles

"The Eton Rifles" was the only single to be released from the album Setting Sons by The Jam. Recorded at Townhouse studios and released on 26 October 1979, it became the band's first top ten hit in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 3. It is also the only official Jam single for which a video was not recorded. The song was produced by Vic Coppersmith-Heaven and The Jam, and was backed by the B-side "See-Saw".


Year:
2017
14 
#1

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Sup up your beer and collect your fags,
There's a row going on down near slough.
Get out your mat and pray to the west.
I'll get out mine and pray for myself.

Thought you were smart when you took them on,
But you didn't take a peep in their artillery room.
All that rugby puts hairs on your chest.
What chance have you got against a tie and a crest?

Hello-hurrah, what a nice day for the Eton rifles.
Hello-hurrah, I hope rain stops play for the Eton rifles.

Thought you were clever when you lit the fuse,
Tore down the house of commons in your brand new shoes,
Composed a revolutionary symphony,
Then went to bed with a charming young glee.

Hello-hurrah, cheers then, mate. it's the Eton rifles.
Hello-hurrah, an extremist scrape with the Eton rifles.

What a catalyst you turned out to be:
Loaded the guns, then you run off home for your tea,
Left me standing like a guilty schoolboy

What a catalyst you turned out to be:
Loaded the guns, then you run off home for your tea,
Left me standing like a naughty schoolboy

We came out of it naturally the worst:
Beaten and bloody, and I was sick down my shirt.
We were no match for their untamed wit,
Though some of the lads said they'd be back next week.

Hello-hurrah, it's the price to pay to the Eton rifles.
Hello-hurrah, I'd prefer the plague to the Eton rifles.

Hello-hurrah, it's the price to pay to the Eton rifles.
Hello-hurrah, I'd prefer the plague to the Eton rifles.

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


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 »

0 fans

Written by: Paul John Weller

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Creation
"The Eton Rifles" was written by Paul Weller and performed by his band, "The Jam". The single was released in 1979 and is the band's first top-ten hit.
Inspiration
The song was inspired by a real event. It tells the story of a street clash between local slum youths and students from Eton College, a prestigious British educational institution.
Chart Performance
"The Eton Rifles" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and spent a total of eleven weeks on the chart.
Album Placement
The song is a track from the band's fourth studio album, "Setting Sons".
Political Significance
The song has political overtones. Eton is usually associated with Britain's upper class, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prince William. The song represents the class struggle in the UK.
Non-Understanding by David Cameron
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron once revealed that "The Eton Rifles" was one of his favorite songs. However, Paul Weller stated that Cameron couldn't have understood the song as it portrayed the dichotomy between the working class and privileged elite.
Music Style
The song infuses elements of pop, punk, and new wave. This combination was one of the defining factors of The Jam's unique sound.
Symbolic Title
The term "Eton Rifles" signifies the cadet force of Eton, emphasizing the class symbolism present throughout the song.
Tribute Track
"The Eton Rifles" was covered by the British band "The Ordinary Boys" as a b-side to their single "Boys Will Be Boys" in 2006.
Legacy
The song remains one of The Jam's most popular and enduring tracks, maintaining its relevance due to its political and social commentary.

Discuss the The Eton Rifles Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Eton Rifles Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/34060926/The+Jam/The+Eton+Rifles>.

    Missing lyrics by The Jam?

    Know any other songs by The Jam? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    The Eton Rifles

    3.1M
    11,380     356

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which band sings the song "Smile" in the "For Ever" album?
    A Jungle
    B Ed Sheeran
    C Katy Perry
    D Young Fathers

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss The Jam's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    The Jam tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!