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That's Entertainment

Lights going out and a kick in the balls

Lights going out and a kick in the balls. That's Entertainment.

A police car and a screaming siren
A pneumatic drill and ripped up concrete
A baby wailing and stray dog howling
The screech of brakes and lamp light blinking
That's Entertainment.

A smash of glass and a rumble of boots
An electric train and a ripped up 'phone booth
Paint splattered walls and the cry of a tomcat
Lights going out and a kick in the balls
That's Entertainment.

Days of speed and slow time Mondays
Pissing down with rain on a boring Wednesday
Watching the news and not eating your tea
A freezing cold flat and damp on the walls
That's Entertainment.

Waking up at 6 a.m. on a cool warm morning
Opening the windows and breathing in petrol
An amateur band rehearsing in a nearby yard
Watching the telly and thinking about your holidays
That's Entertainment.

Waking up from bad dreams and smoking cigarettes
Cuddling a warm girl and smelling stale perfume
A hot summer's day and sticky black tarmac
Fedding ducks in the park and wishing you were far away
That's Entertainment.

Two lovers kissing amongst the scream of midnight
Two lovers missing the tranquility of solitude
Getting a cab and travelling on buses
Reading the graffiti about slashed seat affairs
That's Entertainment.

Replies

  1. #1 On June 23, 2005 02:12 AM Matt Robin said:

    Remembering your youth eh Andy?

  2. #2 On June 23, 2005 07:06 AM Andrea said:

    my kick in the (proverbial) balls for the day: opened up a nice new california pinot, and as soon as I got the cork out, 2 fruit flies suicide-bombed into the bottle.

    But seriously, a beautifully clear image of summer in the city. Makes me glad I live in the tranquility of solitude. :)

  3. #3 On June 23, 2005 08:09 AM Colly said:

    Ah, the Wonderstuff. Great band - didn't know you were a fan.

    (Only kidding. Everyone knows I am a Jam fan ;)

  4. #4 On June 23, 2005 08:59 AM Martin Smith said:

    I like 'Heat and Light Bulbs' by The Jam - Fantastic! :o)

  5. #5 On June 23, 2005 09:25 AM Rob Waring said:

    "Opening the windows and breathing in petrol"
    Sounds like my flat.

  6. #6 On June 23, 2005 09:51 AM Andy Mac said:

    "Two lovers kissing amongst the scream of midnight,
    Two lovers missing the tranquility of solitude"

    I know everyone says it, but isn't that just one of the best lyrics you've ever heard?

    Ray Davies, Paul Weller and Ian Dury (RIP) are probably three of the finest social commentators/songwriters we've ever had.

  7. #7 On June 23, 2005 09:52 AM Olly said:

    Ah, memories of boucing around the Two Pigs as a student... happy days :)

  8. #8 On June 23, 2005 10:35 AM nortypig said:

    I still... wish I could be like david watts...

    and I remember that Saturday Kids Live in council houses, wear vee neck shirts and baggy trousers...

    oh and... the Eton Rifles was pretty good...

    Norty Pig used to be a bit of a bollocking skinhead once upon a when... we'll keep that one dark. I joined the Navy to keep the haircut but didn't like the discipline. I've got Jam LPs in the garage... well about one hundred assorted LPs... cool.

    I was really more into The Clash though.

  9. #9 On June 23, 2005 10:39 AM nortypig said:

    Oh and who could forget ...

    we're up on the hill playing little boy soldiors
    shoot shoot shoot and kill the natives
    you're one of us and we love you for that
    do it for your queen and country...

    Thanks for brightening up my winter night in cold Tasmania :)

  10. #10 On June 23, 2005 11:09 AM Richard Rutter said:

    Welcome to life in Woking. Weller grew up there, as did I. Brilliant but desperately sad song, especially when just reading the lyrics. So glad I don't live there any more. Lifeless small-town Britain.

  11. #11 On June 23, 2005 11:35 AM Graham Bancroft said:

    I'd much rather be in Friday Street, wonderful place.

  12. #12 On June 23, 2005 12:10 PM Keith Bell said:

    Well there's funny, isn't it? Listening to "Compact Snap" on the iPod right now!

    "Cuddling a warm girl and smelling stale perfume
    A hot summer's day and sticky black tarmac"

    Paul Weller: lyricist for a generation. Any generation. Even my crusty old one.

    That's entertainment.

  13. #13 On June 23, 2005 12:39 PM johnny said:

    "Ray Davies, Paul Weller and Ian Dury (RIP) are probably three of the finest social commentators/songwriters we've ever had."

    Uhm... may I add Mr. Joe Strummer (RIP)?

  14. #14 On June 23, 2005 12:45 PM Rob Weychert said:

    Wonderfully evocative; whimsical yet sad.

  15. #15 On June 23, 2005 02:46 PM Malarkey said:

    What a catalyst you turned out to be.
    A vote for guns and you run off home for your tea!

  16. #16 On June 23, 2005 09:34 PM Brent O'Connor said:

    The joy's of Urban life!

  17. #17 On June 23, 2005 11:17 PM Matt Robin said:

    Just reminds me of the 80's....depressing at times and yet brilliant at other times too.
    Also reminds me a lot of London at the time - when I was growing-up there.

    Cheers Andy!

  18. #18 On June 24, 2005 08:21 AM David Hughes said:

    My favourite Jam track of all time - just fantastic lyrics.

    I'm having a bit of a Mod resurgence/retrospective as a result of you your Malarkey.

    Thanks!

    David