The Jam - Going Underground Reaction

[@stevej061069]

Simply put, one of the greatest 3 minutes of popular music ever recorded. Epic track by a magnificent band.

[@lennylush09]

Bought this single on the way to school from Woolworths. 40 odd years later and I still have it :)

[@hanierfamily]

I (Chris) have quite a few 45's from my Dj days. Mid to late 80's stuff, mostly.

[@lennylush09]

@@hanierfamily I was lucky in that the music I started with apart from Beatles, Stones and Motown, was late 70s punk and mod (e.g. The Jam) followed by New Wave, then Two Tone/Scar, New Romantics, then Indie into the mid late 80s. Some junk came into the 80s mainly by those production line producers like Stock Aitkin and Waterman, perhaps the precursor to the production line junk we see today influenced more by money, formula approaches and TV reality "music" competitions. Not sure whether that was the same pattern in Canada and US? You definitely don’t have these strong genres nowadays in music. Mid and late 80s gave us the Smiths, New Order and the Stone Roses. I did enjoy some of the early rap artists and definitely SOS Band, Shannon, Loose Ends and the like - tunes for sure. What were your top DJ picks?

[@rian202003]

Bloody hell that's brilliant

[@und3rgroundman865]

Lasted longer than Woolies.

[@billybigballs196]

@@und3rgroundman865 🤣

[@johnwinton2209]

This group, this video, this energy, these lyrics. Has everything.

[@trevorleggo1777]

Lot's of calls for The Jam...simply, they were THE band for this more underground genre at the time. I applaud you for choosing studio versions of these earlier bands.. smart choice. Paul Weller played at the Sydney Opera house a few years ago. At 62 , I have seen a LOT of excellent live music. That concert was sublime, likely the tightest, best concert I have ever experienced.. I was in tears. love to my wife for secretly buying the tickets and taking me..XX

[@jasongabb1671]

Wish i would have been there, watched it on KZbin and looked awesome. Seen PW over 50+ times..

[@paulfield1]

I went to all 3 concerts at the Opera House. I understand the tears. Weller is up there with McCartney in the pantheon of the musical gods.

[@yulprentice4928]

Not underground in GB saw them tons of times simply the best band ever

[@scenxad]

Whoever keeps suggesting the Jam, good on ya.

[@freyml]

Hello, the reason we keep requesting The Jam is because they are amazing!!!

[@hanierfamily]

We've been pleased.

[@sulladrum]

It's great that you've been reviewing Jam songs. They are one of the most important and great UK bands but received also no recognition in the US.

[@jock2109]

This was the first song since the days of The Beatles in the 60’s that a group had gone straight to No 1 in the UK. I saw them live first at Newcastle City Hall on the “Sound Affects” tour in my dog tooth trousers and Jam Black and white bowling shoes thinking I was the dogs bollocks 😂

[@dhekelia133]

Nearly correct. Except for two singles by Slade in 1973, The Jam were the first since 1973. A great achievement though as in those days it was very rare.

[@marchadier1]

I've got a horrible feeling one of The Bay City Rollers singles in 75 also went straight to no.1!

[@alanwhitney3263]

@@dhekelia133 Slade had 3 singles in 73 that went in at #1

[@jamiesmith5204]

My mum cooked for them once in the 80s. It's her number 1 story to tell people. The Jam were great. Lead singer - Paul Weller - is still an icon over here.

[@Oldgit60]

Still one of my personal all time top 10 songs, 43 years later

[@mod69]

The jams back catalogue second to none

[@stuartauld2149]

Tight band, Wellers lyrics always worth a look. All time fave band. The only vinyl I kept from my youth.

[@jacobprice8048]

My favorite band as well

[@artis1969]

The best way to hear the intent of most songs is listening to the studio version. There are exceptions, no doubt. But far too many reaction channels are led to live versions and miss out on the spirit of the song. You guys are one of the only I've seen that make that distinction.

[@tonybarruk2]

This song took the The Jam from being merely "quite big" to absolutely massive in the UK, virtually overnight... in the wake of this getting to number 1, their previous singles were re-released and many of them got back in the charts again, and the band stayed huge right until Paul Weller (rightly or wrongly) decided to split the group a few years later to form the Style Council, and then go on to a solo career that is still vibrant to this day... I think you'd enjoy their final single, Beat Surrender, too... nice reaction, thank you!

[@TheWorldofGood79]

In March 1980 when Going Underground came out I was just 11 & hearing this on Radio 1 in the UK I just thought wow this band is for me. The band were in the US when Going Underground entered the charts at No 1 & Paul was close yo tears apparently. It was the first single to enter the UK charts at No. 1. since Slade did it in 1973. They flew back on Concorde.

[@cl4re4d4ms]

This was a huge hit back in the day - straight in at number 1 if I recall correctly. What comes through is the anger! Amazing!

[@johnclark677]

Wagged off school to buy this the day it was released. Still got it. Straight in at NO1

[@glastonbury4304]

The Jam , one of the best bands ever

[@seqtrailrider]

One of my all time favourite bands. The bass player Bruce Foxton is an absolute legends. Check out his new band From the Jam.

[@jaccilowe3842]

In a not-so-long-ago interview, Paul Weller was asked why he didn't write protest songs anymore. He replied...They'd all be about the same things so what's the f**king point!

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

It's a protest song about the Thatcherism of the '80s in the UK, it was a very difficult time to live through. You should do another song by 'The Jam' that is 'David Watts' it's actually a cover of a 'Kinks' tracks. I'm a subscriber already.

[@hanierfamily]

Thank you. Which rendition would you prefer we react to?

[@Adam_Le-Roi_Davis.]

@@hanierfamily Sorry, The Jam's version. Thank you.

[@DMCDObidon]

The Bass player, Bruce Foxton, went on to play Bass for Stiff Little Fingers for many years after The Jam had ended. I recommend Checking out Alternative Ulster from SLF.

[@littlejimmy7402]

I have loved the Jam since the 80's. But just recently I think I'm developing a mancrush on Bruce Foxton (bass player). He's criminally under-rated

[@MrMarcy76]

Great choice. Like someone has already mentioned, Going Underground came out in March 1980, and went straight to No1 in the U.K. charts. Kate bush also had a song called Breathing from April 1980, and Peter Gabriel also released his song called Games Without Frontiers. 1980 seemed to be the starting point for lots of British acts, mostly new wave or rocks acts, who were singing about nuclear war. The Soviet invasion in December 1979 was the catalyst. I would also recommend No Doubt About It by Hot Chocolate.

[@stevenguest4289]

a must for anyone liking this youtube the jam at bingley hall

[@ChrisW444]

Best song I have ever heard.

[@StephenSE9]

First thought as a suggestion from watching this: "Nelson Mandela" by The Special AKA AKA The Specials 🤭

[@stevewilliams5130]

Really enjoyed this one, great song ! Well done.

[@lecturesfromleeds614]

You should do "Joy Division" especially "New dawn fades" and "Atmosphere" Ian Curtis's sadness was immortalised in those songs

[@toolatehello3345]

There were two bans in The UK writing political music at this time the Jam and the Specials. Do the Dog by the Specials makes this song sound easy going.

[@MarkByrne1965]

The song that made me stop playing soccer and buy a guitar. It literally changed my life ❤

[@BrixtonTone]

Yay ! my favourite Jam number !

[@kadiummusic]

Going Underground was my favourite Jam song and it was probably their most polished pop record. A funny subscript to your post song comments: During a UK election a few years ago the Labour Party brought out a billboard advert with the tagline 'The Conservatives are taking us back to the 80's!. About a week later they had to take them all down because most people were reacting with 'Hooray, we're going back to the 80's!', it had totally backfired mainly I think because people absolutely loved the music of that decade. 😎

[@hanierfamily]

Well, the reason 80's music was so political was because of the politics going on around it. People used their music as a political statement. Something we think they should get back to doing. The kids need it.

[@Malfie657]

Thanks for featuring this song, a firm favourite of mine from a great band that never really made it big in the States. The Jam's lyrics are rarely just 'light' and usually carry a message, often political - plenty more to choose from. Keep up the great work.

[@strictlycasual765]

I find it so hard to believe a couple of your 'mature' age have never heard this song before? As a UK viewer maybe that's cos its a song that was more or less a nursery rhyme for me growing up, but all the same, it's great to hear a song as good as this for the first time even 40 years since release, so I hope you enjoyed it as much as I have over my time

[@user-we7ih9tt9y]

I cried. I remember when i was young and idealistic

[@kevinludlow7561]

.... "You'll see kidney machines pay for rockets and guns"..... This went straight into no1 in the UK charts when released. It was a actually a double A side with "The Dreams of Children" on the flip side.

[@andymcgill354]

Brilliant

[@rdumontdebeque]

One of their best songs.

[@mightyV444]

I'd heard the cover version by Manfred Mann's Earth Band many, many years before eventually finding out that this was actually a song by The Jam! 😄 I guess the majority of their songs had all been covers, too 😊

[@alanetcbells5520]

Hi guys, well said, a classic from the late 70s. Check out Its my life from Talk Talk, a hidden gem from 1984!

[@hanierfamily]

It's My Life was pretty big here, as well. No Doubt covered it. Both are great for their own reasons.

[@alanetcbells5520]

Also Fade to Grey by Visage ( 1980), and Promised you a Miracle by Simple Minds ( 1982), two good songs. Enjoy,, thanks for your KZbin posts, have a good day. I

[@druidswillow1052]

I'd just subscribed just before you said it! have watched quite a lot of your vids and commented but hadn't subscribed, You can't go far wrong with The Jam or many U.K bands from that era like The Stranglers, The Damned, The Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers etc Cheers Jim, Surrey, UK

[@sherbert500]

stiff little fingers are incredible, especially live!

[@markhutton6055]

This was playing on the Juke box in the pub (put on by my brother) on my 18th birthday when I had my first legal pint. Edit: false memory, it wasn't my Birthday.

[@richardsercombe8070]

First live band I ever saw in 1981.

[@MrMarcy76]

Also check out Style Council - Ever Changing Mood, which comes after Paul Weller left The Jam.

[@tiltonroadbirmingham1153]

Top Band

[@col2158]

Woolworths that’s old school i remember those days riding my thu the shop after school And looking at the top 10

[@Suedehead68]

Listen to it and let it grab you as it did me and millions of others.

[@geoffwright3692]

Fair play to you, Paul Weller's voice might be difficult for a US/ Canadian audience, but you've hit the nail on the head with the interpretation. Once you (hopefully) get on to the Style Council which emerged from The Jam in the early 80's, you'll see the more refined feel.

[@hanierfamily]

We've been listening for familiarity in the dialect. And we're really interested in the politics. It's sort of a side study of mine (Chris). That, or I'm paranoid. :)

[@gavintimson5940]

The best thing Weller did was break up The Jam. Style Council were awful

[@jonathancole833]

Don’t feel bad for not understanding all of the lyrics - I first heard this band almost 40 years ago and I still don’t know some of the lyrics to their songs! And I’m from the UK.

[@dib000]

@@gavintimson5940 the style council were sublime.

[@calum1741]

@@gavintimson5940 if Style Council were awful then why was it good that he broke up the Jam?????

[@smartiepancake]

This single got a very strong and very odd reception when it came out in the UK. When I first heard it I found it odd, I thought it didn't hang together, there wasn't enough to it. Others obviously thought similar - including the music press. It went straight to number 1 - The Jam were that popular, the punk and new wave record buyers puts lots of records in the charts. But it did feel like it didn't deserve to be a number 1. Odd thing is - it sounds great today. I love it.

[@dixiefallas7799]

Bruce Foxton on bass who is still playing in his band From the Jam.

[@scottyscot8]

The Jam are so good,Paul Weller is a lyrical genius

[@andyyoung9463]

Just keep going. You'll get the subscribers. You're doing well.

[@rickcowleymidfulnessfitnes3901]

Lyrically, this band is Politically and socially superb. Started as a punk band and moved into the mod world. Paul weller moved on and started the band the style council, with songs like LONG HOT SUMMER and SHOUT TO THE TOP. Bruce Foxton on base is still touring with FROM THE JAM.

[@leslieturner8276]

Nice reaction, The Jam are one of my favourite bands...If I can mention Kate Bush at this point, she also wrote anti-war songs from around the same time period (when we thought that WWIII could break out at any moment) from her 3rd studio album "Never For Ever" (1980), I recommend: "Army Dreamers" and "Breathing"

[@hanierfamily]

Those are 2 Kate Bush songs we know. I(Chris) love them

[@brxee]

Check out their Saturdays Kids, I dare say you would recognise the scene over your side of the pond just as much.

[@gonojo]

I am Probably just a handful of American who understood them and what they represented to the the UK youth, caught them in 1978 and play them now. To better understand them, look at the lyrics of the songs of what they were writing about. USA could never relate to them, unfortunately.

[@susansalt1965]

Legend

[@loungejay8555]

The Jam spearheaded the brief late seventies Mod revival.

[@johncarlin3090]

Paul weller The jam and style council brilliant.

[@russellwarr3791]

Great post,👋 hi from down under🦘🤩

[@andrewcurtis4568]

The problem isn't people voting or not voting, it's that the people who vote don't have a smart enough reason to vote, and those who don't vote don't have a smart enough reason to abstain.

[@tonyrantnrave6854]

Pulp - Common People (Official Video)

[@hanierfamily]

we know that one

[@normandavidtidiman9918]

The Falklands War was an unfortunate necessity but an unequivocal success, not a mess!

[@nizmollusk]

Subbed already, enjoy your content. Keep up the good work. If you like 90s britpop/indie bands like oasis and blur, check out Cast, they had a bunch of hits but wernt as well known. Also Shed Seven, they are local to me so i have a soft spot for them and similarly they had a hot period but never really crossed over the pond.

[@georgealty]

Enjoying seeing you enjoying the music. And you're absolutely right about the politically motivated voting.

[@jimm9051]

Love Bruce Foxton's bass

[@charlesbull6188]

Best band ever

[@marcot5386]

I was ott, appols

[@davy50g55]

Classic, if you see a nuke going over your head then quickly duck... dam... too slow! its over.

[@fredshred5194]

ahh the Falklands war, inspired IMO one of the greatest anti war songs. Elvis Costello's Shipbuilding. Even got Chet Baker to blow his trumpet on it. Weller did calm down a bit , started another band The Style Council, My ever changing moods, Your the best thing. Another favourite Jam song is That's entertainment, I'm sure you'll work out what its about.

[@hanierfamily]

We did a reaction to That's Entertainment. Check it out!

[@pinomiraglia8256]

The jam not famous not known in italy paul weller first band ,going underground the jam its a fantasmtic song ,in the video clip politics old vip the only I known Margaret Tacher ,I find this song in a cd compilation selections songs the jam and others bands , I like some style councile songs paul weller vocalist singer and guitar

[@bab3242]

the Mod father himself

[@FHIPrincePeter]

X Ray Specs " Bondage Up Yours" next the Best Punk group in the UK.

[@charlesappleby8049]

Just liked & subscribed as requested. How about listening to the best song that hardly anyone knows? Only to be found on You Tube - I don't wanna cry by The Keys ........a three minute pop gem. Keep up the good work. 1000 subscribers just around the corner.

[@jonassundell9366]

Like your reactions. Are you cannadikeer.? You seem Kinda sane. Greetings from Gothenburg Sweden

[@hanierfamily]

if you mean, are we Canadian, yes we are

[@tokilladaemon]

i'm glad you picked up right away how political this song is, everyone seems to miss it and think it's just a fun catchy track

[@ropersf]

The Jam never really crossed over to the USA. (too unapologetically British) The Jam were lumped in with punk but the London punks looked down their art school noses at The Jam for being melodic, retro and working class. Paul Weller and the Jam made music that expressed and reflected the lives of English working class kids and Jam fans loved him kind of in the way american working class folks love Bruce Springsteen. You shoud check out Weller's later band, The Style Council.

[@hanierfamily]

We've done some Style Council.

[@howardchambers9679]

Have you covered Rage against the Machine yet. Your reaction to that would be interesting

[@hanierfamily]

Not yet but we will. We do know some of their stuff.

[@sherbert500]

Wellers lyrics on a lot of the jams political songs are still as relevant today as it was back then, just goes to show that nothing changes for the normal man and woman on the street while we let these idiots rule over us all! would love to hear set the house ablaze or A bomb in wardour street next!

[@alanwhitney3263]

The Jam were a very English band that American didn't quite understand, same as Slade, Quo,Madness etc

[@hanierfamily]

All bands we're enjoying on this channel. Except for Status Quo so far.

[@MrMarcy76]

I did subscribe 👍

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

Thatchers government actually inherited the mess from the previous labour government. We was the sick man of Europe in the 70s going cap in hand to the IMF. Maggie was far from perfect, but she took us from being that sick man of Europe to being one of the richest countries in the world again. She had a commitment to free enterprise, she believed in the traditional Victorian values of hard work and civic responsibilities. Ofcourse, it took a while to implement that and it did look like she'd lose that first election but the Falklands war galvanised and returned pride to the country. Maggie obviously benefited from this as her popularity was at an all time high because of the way she handled the Falklands war. You know what's funny, our labour party (the left) are supposed to be the progressives, but the three female prime ministers our country has had have all been conservative. Makes you think, doesn't it.

[@philjones45]

Just to cheer yourselves up, ever thought of sticking up some pictures up on your walls? Just a thought.

[@hanierfamily]

I suppose we could. Honestly, we've been considering a change in scenery. And it might improve sound quality.

[@daveborder7751]

Nobody here in the UK can understand most of what he sings either.

[@stever7732]

Nice reaction. If you want good anti-war/anti-nuclear songs try Kate Bush - ‘Army Dreamers’ or ‘Breathing’

[@hanierfamily]

We know those 2 songs. They are great.

[@EastLondonMillwall]

Love the channel but feel for you doing The Jam ones as the are very English with a lot of English references so it must be hard to understand them .

[@hanierfamily]

It has been an interesting journey so far. We are definitely enjoying it.

[@EastLondonMillwall]

@@hanierfamily that’s good . They are my number one band. Have you listened to anything by The Smiths?? You are in for a treat ! Some mad lyrics .

[@hanierfamily]

we have a few Smiths videos on here

[@robertofraser101]

Thank you brilliant song band I'm early days I canvassed for politicial election there is a lot work goes into it with the foot soldiers door knockers printing press ext that said now I older politics the world over phew let's start the world what a mess and yes politicians are too blame put money down would I trust a politicion never let's avoid politics and enjoy good music eh cheers enjoyed thanks

[@fernandopessoa7077]

Weller still looks the bollocks..

[@interestedinthetruth]

I apologise for being for so critical - I still stand that you channel should be more in depth, but I may wrong. Anyhow I would like to introduce a group:

[@hanierfamily]

We're up for it. Which?

[@jimstemglory3219]

the music was never meant for two middle age people in mid america , how could you even hope to relate or even think you could comment on it

[@hanierfamily]

We are in Canada and this was an early reaction of ours to The Jam.

[@lisawooldridge5449]

The best band EVER!! What on earth you saying, you know nothing about UK politics

[@1183newman]

The Jam are very very british and probably too british to really translate accross the pond.

[@interestedinthetruth]

Apologies - you are Canadians. Corrected for the record. Does not make your content ant better or any more informed.

[@katsanddoggies9904]

Let's go Brandon

[@interestedinthetruth]

wtf are you guys for real. You dont add anything

[@purplewig-pi2st]

doesn't matter who you vote for, the system is rigged.

[@mrdarren1045]

Just watched your video. Hope you make it to that 1000 lol

[@hanierfamily]

The goal is 10000 now. We're really happy with how fast our channel is growing. We really loved this one, by the way.

[@mrdarren1045]

@@hanierfamily onwards and upwards. We should always have a goal otherwise there's no point in getting out of bed. Best of luck.