Town Called Malice
The Jam
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Better stop dreaming of the quiet life, 'cause it's the one we'll never know And quit running for that runaway bus 'cause those rosy days are few And stop apologizing for the things you've never done 'Cause time is short and life is cruel but it's up to us to change This town called malice Rows and rows of disused milk floats stand dying in the dairy yard And a hundred lonely housewives clutch empty milk bottles to their hearts Hanging out their old love letters on the line to dry It's enough to make you stop believing when tears come fast and furious In a town called malice, yeah Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba Struggle after struggle, year after year The atmosphere's a fine blend of ice, I'm almost stone cold dead In a town called malice, ooh yeah A whole street's belief in Sunday's roast beef Gets dashed against the Co-op To either cut down on beer or the kid's new gear It's a big decision in a town called malice, ooh yeah The ghost of a steam train, echoes down my track It's at the moment bound for nowhere Just going round and round, oh Playground kids and creaking swings Lost laughter in the breeze I could go on for hours and I probably will But I'd sooner put some joy back In this town called malice, yeah In this town called malice, yeah In this town called malice, ooh yeah
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Written by: Paul Weller
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Release Information"Town Called Malice" was released by the English band The Jam in January 1982.
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Album PlacementThe song was included on their sixth studio album, "The Gift."
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Song RankingIt quickly rose to number one on the UK Singles Chart, making it the band's third UK number one hit.
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Musical InfluenceThe song's title pays tribute to the novel "A Town Like Alice," while its music is inspired by the Motown sounds of the early 60s, particularly "You Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes and "I Can't Help Myself" by the Four Tops.
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Soundtrack Feature"Town Called Malice" was prominently featured in Billy Elliot, a 2000 British drama film about a boy who aspires to be a professional ballet dancer.
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Song ThemePaul Weller, the songwriter, described it as a song about growing up in a small town and wanting to escape. He grew up in the town of Woking, Surrey, England.
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Awards and RecognitionIn 2006, "Town Called Malice" was voted the 6th Best Song by the band, The Jam in an NME reader poll.
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End of The JamThe song was one of their final hits before the band broke up later in 1982.
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Unique ReleaseIt was released as a double A-Side single along with "Precious", although it is "Town Called Malice" that has largely remained popular.
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Modern UsageIn 2010, it was used in a television commercial for Robinsons fruit drink, in which a digitally aged 'future' version of the company's animated brand character, 'Fruit Shoot man', is seen retiring.
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Popular in Live PerformancesDespite departing from the straightforward punk rock of The Jam's early years, "Town Called Malice" remains a popular anthem and is often performed live by Paul Weller in his solo sets.
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Song InterpretationThe lyrics "stops you from dreaming, stops you from smoking" are often interpreted as a critique of Margaret Thatcher's Britain, reflecting the disillusionment of the era.
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Citation
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"Town Called Malice Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6675478/The+Jam/Town+Called+Malice>.
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