Some days it feels like we are living in a song.
Today’s feature is the 1982 classic by The Jam, ‘A Town Called Malice’. This edgy song was written by Paul Weller and released on The Jam’s 1982 album ‘The Gift’. It reached #1 in the U.K. on this day forty years ago.
The beauty of ‘A Town Called Malice’ is it remains as fresh and hard hitting today as the day it was released. The message is direct. It reflects a certain anger, and the tirade becomes the appeal.
While writing the song, the words ‘a town called malice’ came to Weller in what can only be seen as an unconscious recollection of a novel called ‘A Town Like Alice’ by Nevil Shute which Weller is on record as saying he was aware of, but had not read at the time. The inevitable connection between the two goes on because Weller is very open about the fact ‘A Town Called Malice’ was written about his hometown of Woking in northwest Surrey, England, which is just a short commute to central London. While the song reflects Weller’s disdain of the suburban experience, it became an anthem for a generation, not only in the U.K., but throughout Europe and in North America.
I was taking note of what was going on in our country. When you’re touring, you’re often in your own bubble, but we were going around the country seeing firsthand what was happening. It was the start of the hardline [prime minister] Margaret Thatcher years … I was a young man taking it all in and thinking about it.”
Paul Weller
Weller took note of a sage piece of song writing advice that has been passed on through the generations. You need to write about what you know.
I had most of the lyrics before we started the song, but they were just words written down in a book at that point. They’re partly about Woking, where I grew up, which had always been a depressed place in a way. That line rows and rows of empty milk floats dying in the dairy yard was directly influenced by Woking, where there was a milk yard. The ghost of a steam train is about my childhood, because we lived close to the station, and I could always hear the trains shunting about at night. Those suburban images were very strong in my mind and a lot of people connected with it. Cut down the beer or the kids’ new gear was about how people were struggling and had to make decisions about what to buy. Even before the ‘80s, a lot of people were living hand to mouth.”
Paul Weller
In addition to being an astute observation of British society at the time, ‘A Town Called Malice’ also served as an evolution in song writing and composition for The Jam. The introduction of keyboards and brass instruments lend themselves to the groove listeners continue to enjoy four decades later.
Perhaps the greatest attribute of ‘A Town Called Malice’ is its ability to be adapted to many styles. Here is a quote from Paul Weller where he speaks to this quality.
It’s one of my best songs, lyrically and in terms of what it means to people. I think it’s still relevant. I don’t think things have moved on too much since. I started playing it again because it’s a great song – it’s also entered the realms of being a great folk song. When we play the opening bars, you can’t help being swept along.”
Paul Weller
Speaking to its current relevance and potential as a folk song, here is Paul Weller doing an acoustic version. Have a listen and sing along with the lyrics below.
Better stop dreaming of the quiet life, ’cause it’s the one we’ll never know
And quit running for the 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 maliceRows 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, yeahBa-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, oh
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba-baStruggle 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 yeahA 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 yeahThe 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, yeahIn this town called malice, yeah
Paul Weller
In this town called malice, ooh yeah
Through the years ‘A Town Called Malice’ has become a significant reference in pop culture. The attraction is clear due to the fact it conveys an air of societal discontent. Who doesn’t remember this brilliant scene from Billy Elliot in 2000?
It was also included in the 1985 movie ‘National Lampoon’s European Vacation’, as well as being featured as the opening track in the 2005 film ‘The Matador’. More recently it was included on the soundtrack for the 2019 ‘Spiderman: Far from Home’ and in the popular series ‘The Walking Dead’.
My quest to find quality covers of ‘A Town Called Malice’ was a fun listening experience. I narrowed it down to two versions.
Here is a solid take by Rude Boy George which is effectively done in their style. The beauty of this cover is the fulfillment of their mission to bring both professional and amateur musicians together to raise funds for cancer research. This is from their album ‘The Gifted’ which saw proceeds go to The Teenage Cancer Trust and The National Foundation for Youth Music.
Enjoy this very true cover by Gentlemen of Few. Nicely done.
As I write, our country is ‘under siege’ by a group of people posing as unemployed truckers claiming to be speaking out against government mandates. They suggest their freedom has been violated as they advocate for their cause. They were able to literally drive across the country and occupy the nation’s capital, then Ontario’s capital in Toronto while simultaneously creating blockades at Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta border crossings. All of this is happening with impunity. The police seemed to be on the side of the protestors. In Ontario, the Premier was snowmobiling and the Prime Minister went missing for a period of time while battling COVID-19 himself and commiserating with his Cabinet.
Meanwhile, I was left to wonder where these ‘freedom fighters’ were/are when people are advocating for Indigenous issues like clean drinking water, mass graves at residential schools or land claims? Where were they when Black Lives Matter were speaking out against very clear race related issues and systemic racism; which was on full display during these occupations, I might add. Do these same protestors stand with those advocating for the LGBTQ2S+ community when all they seek are the most basic of human rights? Do they stand with women when they advocate for equality themselves and future generations?
The answer is no, of course.
These people are a combination representing a minority view. They claim to be comprised of ‘truckers’ but the truth is they are a bunch of malcontents who refuse to follow a very simple request that would allow them to enjoy the freedom they claim to have been denied. They had the freedom to make a decision. They made their decision and now they are facing the consequences of their actions. I watch in amazement as they park their trucks on the streets, or along a border blockade for two weeks or more. They have brought their children (human shields) on this all expenses paid vacation (not really…they are unemployed after all). I suspect they are not taking part in on line education so a new generation of uneducated nitwits is being raised. But, we can all take solace in knowing that they are being occupied by bouncy castles of the grandest scale, while Mom and Dad wave upside down Canadian flags, honk their horns or yell ‘Fuck Trudeau’ until they are hoarse. I can only sit and laugh as they complain that their leaders have not given them gas money, or better yet paid their hotel bill. If this was simply a grass roots protest, they would have left by now or they would have been forced out. Many members of this cabal seem to be paid actors. Their arguments are deeply flawed. The object of their vitriol is often misguided or simply incorrect, which makes one thing extremely clear.
This is a movement funded by a radical right-wing contingent, fueled and funded by white nationalist doctrines aimed at displacing our present federal Liberal government and replacing them with an increasing Conservative/Republican style doctrine. The people on the ground are being used as pawns in a much wider movement.
I could go on for hours and I probably will
Paul Weller
But I’d sooner put some joy back
In this town called malice,
Trumpian style alt/right politics picked a scab. People of this ilk lifted a rock and gave permission to about 20% of the population to be overtly racist, uneducated, misguided morons who have blindly agreed to carry the torch for self-centred, egomaniacal 1%ers who continue to exploit the masses.
They are being played. We are all being played. There are much greater forces at work here. Make no mistake. This is not a ‘truckers’ protest.
This is a carefully orchestrated movement. It is a trial run for something much bigger.
I continue to be shocked by the people I know, who seem to stand on the side of these fools. All you have to do is follow the money and see where the support is coming from to understand the motives. The line that defines right and wrong here is obvious.
When will people wake up?
Ted Tocks Covers 