the jam – that's entertainment (1981)
the band that launched paul weller.
‘sound affects’ (their 5th album) was released in 1980; influenced by current post-punk bands such as joy division. paul weller said that he was also influenced by the beatles‘ ‘revolver’ and michael jackson’s ‘off the wall’.
you can hear the revolver-era swirling psychedelia around the 2.05 mark on this track.
weller allegedly wrote ‘that’s entertainment’, a bitter slice-of-life commentary on the drudgery of modern working-class life, in around 15 minutes on returning (under the influence) from the pub.
despite being only available as an import single, it peaked at #21 on the uk charts, an unprecedented feat.
it made american magazine rolling stone’s 500 greatest songs of all time.
not convinced by the drummer, thou.
