Originally Posted by Rich Tea.:
“Looking at 1982 and No1 singles, a group that had their 3rd and 4th chart toppers were of course The Jam. Now I would definitely say that their final hit and No1 at the end of the year, Beat Surrender, was a very unmemorable No1 single of theirs which is surely mostly overlooked. Infact more unmemorable than many of their far more modest sized hits. One of the poorer No1's of 1982 as well.”
Ooh Rich, we can fundamentally agree and disagree!!

Whilst I agree that 'Beat Surrender' is probably not The Jam's most memorable single it happens to be one of my favourites. I bought it the week it was released and played it to death at the time.
It was almost destined to go in at No.1 boosted by the fact that it was announced at the time that it would be their final single.
There's just something about it that I love and it still gives me the same feeling when I listen to it today.
Glancing back through the No.1's of 1982, on the whole, there are many great songs. I hope you don't put 'Beat Surrender' below 'Oh Julie', 'Pass the Dutchie' or 'Save Your Love' though
Originally Posted by Jedikiah:
“I would definitely agree with you there, Rich Tea. "Beat Surrender" sounds very workmanlike in my opinion, with really very little inspiration behind it. Paul Weller also looked very self conscious on Top Of The Pops, with his hands placed deliberately behind his back, with Tracie Young (who was also briefly with The Style Council) standing alongside him. Bruce Foxton and Rick Butler looked out of place. It certainly pointed to the soul sound Weller would be introducing into The Style Council, although with them he also recorded a few classics too, along the way. "Town Called Malice" was a worthy no 1 by The Jam from earlier in 1982, but that song aside, i think the Jam struggled a little in the wake of their first no 1 "Going Underground", although a song like "Funeral Pyre" was very interesting, in terms of its sound. The group certainly didn't stand still, but not everything worked as well as it might.”
I think 'Beat Surrender' and their penultimate release 'The Bitterest Pill....' was the stepping stone for Weller to move on to The Style Council.
Wasn't 'A Solid Bond in Your Heart' (released at the end of '83 by The Style Council) originally going to be the final Jam single? I can hear similarities between that and 'Beat Surrender'.
Originally Posted by FM Lover:
“It would be difficult for a lot of listeners to realise just how big The Jam were in the early 80's. 4 number ones and all their other hits all huge Top 10 hits with always high position new entries.
Even two Top 30 hits only available on import, including one of their best ever songs That's Entertainment, showing the length fans would go to.
For me two of their finest songs, Funeral Pyre and Absolute Beginners, both from 1981 just don't get played on the radio these days which is a huge shame.
Just a pity that Paul Weller won't even entertain a reunion with Rick and Bruce as I'm sure shows would sell out in record time.”
'Funeral Pyre' was the first Jam single I bought. Not so chart friendly as some of their other tracks. I remember being shocked when it entered at No.4 and the next week it was a non mover. I was relatively new to the charts having only really been 'involved' since the end of 1980 and hadn't been aware of that happening very often!
Perhaps in June we'll get a chance to hear it on a 1981 POTP's. Maybe some of the lyrics aren't really Tony (or Radio 2) 'friendly'.
"As I was standing by the edge
I could see the faces of those led pissing theirselves laughing
Their mad eyes buldged their flushed faces said
The weak get crushed as the strong grow stronger
We feast on flesh and drink on blood
Live by fear and despise love in a crises
Bring some paper and bring some wood
Bring what's left of all your love for the fire
We'll watch the flames grow higher!
But if you get too burnt - you can't come back home"
Even for Weller, these lyrics were dark!