The Jam : Start!
On the week of August 17, 1980 The Jam's new single "Start!" b/w "Liza Radley" debuted on the UK charts at #3, the same week David Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes" hit #1. The following week it would knock Bowie from the top spot, repeating the success of "Going Underground".
"Start!" began as a demo called "Two Minutes" that came from sessions in which The Jam recorded cover versions of "Rain" and "And Your Bird Can Sing" (The Beatles), "Dead End Street" and "Waterloo Sunset" (The Kinks), and "Get Yourself Together" (The Small Faces). So Weller's decision to incorporate the bass riff from "Taxman" was very much a deliberate move and one that he was quick to admit. George Harrison must have considered it a tribute, or felt like he had spent too much time in court, because he never made an issue of it.
Some record company executives were pushing for "Pretty Green" to be the new single but Weller had final say.
Directed by Russell Mulcahy ("Hungry Like The Wolf"), the video was shot quickly and cheaply. It gives the impression that The Jam are performing in the same place The Beatles shot the back cover of Revolver.
Not long after the release of "Start!", Melody Maker photographer Paolo Hewitt managed to introduce Paul Weller to Pete Townshend. They didn't agree on much and both were disappointed. The headline bother Weller.
The B-side "Liza Radley" is that rare acoustic song by The Jam and features an understated accordian played by Bruce Foxton. It would not make an appearance on Sound Affects. Weller was trying to push back the album to 1981 citing lack of songs.
From Smash Hits, perhaps the only review that didn't print the "Taxman" reference
