It's Saturday Night, Think I'll Post a Video

Given the ugly turn taken by the teatards since the HCR vote, I figured I'd post a video by The Jam. The Jam, fronted by Paul Weller, released their first single, In the City in 1977- the height of the Punk-era in the UK. The band, which wore it's "Mod" influence on its collective sleeve, was characterized by narrative songs reflecting the current social trends. The 1978 B-side A-Bomb in Wardour Street (the A-side was a cover of the Kinks' David Watts) describes the violence which plagued British society in the late 70's:





The song doesn't paint a hopeful picture, and was followed by the brilliant Down in the Tube Station at Midnight, a harrowing tale of a subway mugging (if this isn't in the running for "saddest song EVER" status, I don't know what is). The eponymous protagonist of 1979's Smithers-Jones gets off rather easily, merely being laid off by his "suntanned boss". It's not all doom-and-gloom, however, even if the tone is generally pessimistic- there is some small hope for escape... Going Underground, if you will.

Note: Going Underground is one of those awesome songs which makes me feel well-nigh unstoppable. Yeah, it's pretty pessimistic, but the sheer force of the song is amazing.