Setting Sons
The Jam · 1979
57 min · 19 tracks · new wave · punk · mod revival
A vibrant blend of punk energy and mod revival, infused with sharp social commentary and catchy melodies.
Why this album works
'Setting Sons' is significant for its critical reception, often regarded as one of The Jam's best works. It features the classic single 'The Eton Rifles,' which reached No. 3 on the UK charts, reflecting the band's cultural impact and resonating themes of class struggle during the late 1970s.
- Best for
- steady mid-tempo groove throughout sharp social commentary themes catchy melodies for sing-alongs
- Context
- Released on November 17, 1979, 'Setting Sons' was The Jam's fourth studio album, following their breakthrough success with 'All Mod Cons.' At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their reputation as a leading force in the UK punk and new wave scenes, showcasing their evolution in sound and lyrical depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Stranglers· The Damned· Billy Idol
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Girl on the Phone 2:55
- 2 Thick as Thieves Standout 3:39
- 3 Private Hell 3:50
- 4 Little Boy Soldiers Standout 3:24
- 5 Wasteland 2:51
- 6 Burning Sky 3:30
- 7 Smithers-Jones 3:00
- 8 Saturday’s Kids 2:52
- 9 The Eton Rifles Standout 3:58
- 10 Heat Wave 2:23
- 11 Strange Town 3:48
- 12 When You’re Young 3:12
- 13 Smithers‐Jones (single version) 2:59
- 14 See‐Saw 2:33
- 15 Going Underground 2:54
- 16 The Dreams of Children 3:07
- 17 So Sad About Us 2:37
- 18 Hey Mister 1:51
- 19 Start 2:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.
