THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

94-The Jam-Going Underground.

1980-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.09. In his youth Paul Weller was known as ‘the angry young man.’ It’s a shame we haven’t got any young man, or woman as angry today.

Paul John Weller was born John William Weller on May 25th, 1958, in Woking, England, despite being named ‘John,’ he became known to everyone as ‘Paul.’ In his youth Weller was heavily influenced by the ‘Mod’ groups of the 1960’s such as The Who, (see also best songs 926-891-306 and 265) and The Small Faces, (see also best songs 1048 and 872) and it was these musical influences that helped construct the sound of ‘The Jam,’ (see also best songs 670 and 59) and earning Weller the honorific title of ‘The Modfather.’

In 1982 to the complete surprise of his two band mates Bruce Foxton, and Rick Buckler, Weller decided he had had enough of The Jam, and needed to explore other musical genres, which led to him forming ‘The Style Council,’ where he would explore ‘Jazz,’ ‘Pop,’ ‘New Wave,’ and ‘Blue Eyed Soul.’ The Style Council remained active until record sales began to wane, and they split in 1989. Weller would once again resurrect his career in 1990 when this time launching a solo career, which has once again seen him critically acclaimed.

Although Paul Weller is considered to be one of ‘Pop Music’s’ greatest ever exponents, his success outside of the UK has remained limited, with many putting it down to him being too ‘English’ for the foreign markets. With The Style Council, Weller issued five studio Albums between 1984-1989, and 24 singles between 1983-1989, of which 16 made the UK top 40, with ‘Long Hot Summer’ charting the highest at Number 3 in 1983. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart only ‘My Ever Changing Moods’ (Number 29 in 1984) has charted. As a solo artist Weller has issued 16 studio Albums to date, between 1992-2021, and 39 singles between 1991-2022. In the UK, 32 of those singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Peacock Suit’ from 1996 charting the highest at Number 5, while on Billboard none of his singles have ever charted. For the discography of The Jam see best songs 59.

‘Going Underground’ was written by Paul Weller, and produced by Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, as a stand alone single, and did not appear on a ‘Jam’ Album until 1982’s live Album ‘Dig the New Breed.’ The songs producer Vic Smith who would work with The Jam on their first five studio Albums had previously worked as a sound engineer for Cat Stevens, (see also best songs 384) and The Rolling Stones, as well as many others.

It was only by fortune that ‘Going Underground’ was ever an ‘A’ side, as the intention had been to release ‘Dreams of Children,’ but following a mix up at the pressing plant the single was issued as a double A’ side, and it was the radio DJ’s who chose to play ‘Going Underground,’ which would eventually go on to give The Jam’ the first of their four UK Number 1 singles. ‘Going Underground’ was Paul Weller’s angry outcry against the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government. In particular the way it seemed more keen on spending tax payers money on nuclear weapons, rather than the ‘National Health Service’. In recent years Paul Weller has stated that he has no time anymore for politicians of any party.

‘You choose your leaders and place your trust, as their lies wash you down and their promises rust. You’ll see kidney machines replaced by rockets and guns, and the public wants what the public gets, but I don’t get what this society wants.’