The Eton Rifles
The Jam
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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-hooray, what a nice day, for the Eton rifles, Eton rifles Hello-hooray, I hope rain stops play, with the Eton rifles, Eton rifles Thought you were clever when you lit the fuse Tore down the house of commons in your brand new shoes Compose a revolutionary symphony Then went to bed with a charming young thing Hello-hooray, cheers then mate, its the Eton rifles, Eton rifles Hello-hooray, an extremist scrape, with the Eton rifles, 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'll be back next week Hello-hooray, there's a price to pay, to the Eton rifles, Eton rifles Hello-hooray, I'd prefer the plague, to the Eton rifles, Eton rifles Hello-hooray, there's a price to pay, to the Eton rifles, Eton rifles Hello-hooray, I'd prefer the plague, to the Eton rifles, Eton rifles Eton rifles, Eton rifles Eton rifles, Eton rifles
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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.
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InspirationThe 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.
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Chart Performance"The Eton Rifles" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and spent a total of eleven weeks on the chart.
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Album PlacementThe song is a track from the band's fourth studio album, "Setting Sons".
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Political SignificanceThe 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.
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Non-Understanding by David CameronFormer 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.
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Music StyleThe song infuses elements of pop, punk, and new wave. This combination was one of the defining factors of The Jam's unique sound.
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Symbolic TitleThe term "Eton Rifles" signifies the cadet force of Eton, emphasizing the class symbolism present throughout the song.
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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.
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LegacyThe song remains one of The Jam's most popular and enduring tracks, maintaining its relevance due to its political and social commentary.
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Citation
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"The Eton Rifles Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6675472/The+Jam/The+Eton+Rifles>.
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