Polydor have just reissued The Jam’s superlative collection of A-sides, B-sides, rarities and album tracks Snap!, and - I can’t quite believe this myself - I’m excited. Ridiculously so. It went straight on the CD player by my computer, and there it’s staying until I have to leave to go to the dentist about this half a tooth that broke off a few hours ago. The reason it’s so ridiculous that I’m excited is that I already own most of these songs - original seven-inch, original LP, CD reissue, variety of compilations, BBC Sessions, bootlegs, live stuff, box sets, punk compilations - up to a dozen times, but I can’t help myself. I FUCKING LOVE THIS MUSIC! It soundtracked some of my most turbulant, miserable and rewarding times - well I remember hearing that line from ‘When You’re Young’ about “You swear you’re never ever going to work for someone/No corporations for the new age sons” while I was working on the production line in Cundell’s Corrugated Cardboard Factory, having just been turned down for university. “Tears of rage roll down your face,” Weller sang, possessed, “but still you swear it’s fun.” Man.

My love for The Jam is one of the reasons I feel empathy for folk who love Kaiser Chiefs and Arctic Monkeys, even if I don’t particularly like the music. When you’re a teenager, you need someone to articulate your frustrations.

I always hated Weller’s solo stuff, mind.