Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "The Jam" in English language version.
New wave, in contrast, was the sophisticated alternative to punk, a professional version of punk with which adolescents of all social persuasions could identify. It took punk challenges to middle-class politics, gender and sexuality, and made them seem glamorous in a way that punks never intended them to be. Though bands like The Jam positively seethed with political intent, they were far less controversial than their punk predecessors, and thus easier on the consciences of professional music critics.
Throughout 1977 the new wave label continued to appear as a point of differentiation, distinguishing more melodic, pop-oriented groups like the Jam and the Stranglers from punk's increasingly politicized and violent realm.
Once upon a time, there was a legendary English punk and mod revival band called the Jam...
The Jam were British New Wave at its most quintessential and successful.
If all this has long been ignored, at least part of the explanation lies in the Jam's anomalous place within punk rock, and the fact that music writers have usually ranked them below the short-lived Sex Pistols and the absurdly over-romanticised Clash (who, during the time they were together, never had a top 10 UK hit).
Unlike some punk bands whose short-lived appeal lay more in their outrageous dress and behaviour, The Jam produced songs with lyrics that actually meant something, and were tuneful too.
