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  1. Tracks
  2. The Jam
  3. Setting Sons
  4. Private Hell

TRACK

The Jam

Private Hell

Release date: 16th November 1979

From Setting Sons
Spotify
More on The Jam

About This Track

"Private Hell" is a track by The Jam, from the album Setting Sons, released 16th November 1979. Full lyrics are available below.

About the Artist

The Jam

The Jam

Lyrics

Private Hell

Closer than close - you see yourself -

A mirror image of what you wanted to be

As each day goes by - a little more -

You can't remember - what it was you wanted anyway

The fingers feel the lines - they prod the space -

Your ageing face - the face that once was so beautiful

Is still there but unrecognizable -

Private Hell

The man that you once loved - is bald and fat -

And seldom in - working late as usual

Your interest has waned - you feel the strain -

The bed springs snap - on the occasions he lies upon you -

Close your eyes and think of nothing but -

Private Hell

Think of Emma - wonder what she's doing -

Her husband Terry - and your grandchildren

Think of Edward - still at college

You send him letters which he doesn't acknowledge

'Cause he don't care

They don't care

'Cause they're all going through their own - Private Hell

The morning slips away - in a valium haze

And catalogues - and numerous cups of coffee

In the afternoon - the weekly food

Is put in bags - as you float off down the high street

The shop windows reflect - play a nameless host

To a closet ghost - a picture of your fantasy -

A victim of your misery - and Private Hell

Think of Emma - wonder what she's doing -

Her husband Terry - and your grandchildren

Think of Edward - still at college

You send him letters which he doesn't acknowledge

'Cause he don't care

They don't care

'Cause they're all going through their own - Private Hell

Private Hell

Alone at 6 o'clock - you drop a cup -

You see it smash - inside you crack -

You can't go on - but you sweep it up -

Safe at last inside your Private Hell

Sanity at last inside your Private Hell

Sanity at last inside your Private Hell

Private Hell

REPEAT TO FADE

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Setting Sons

1979
Listen
Album
Setting Sons
Setting Sons
The Jam
Release year
1979
  1. 1Girl On the Phone
    2:56
  2. 2Thick As Thieves
    3:38
  3. 3Private Hell
    3:50
  4. 4Little Boy Soldiers
    3:28
  5. 5Wasteland
    2:53
  6. 6Burning Sky
    3:33
  7. 7Smithers-Jones
    3:00
  8. 8Saturday's Kids
    2:53
  9. 9The Eton Rifles
    3:59
  10. 10Heatwave
    2:23
  11. —Hey Mister
  12. —The Butterfly Collector
  13. —Girl on the Phone
  14. —The Dreams of Children
  15. —Saturday's Kids
  16. —Heatwave
  17. —Private Hell
  18. —Little Boy Soldiers
  19. —Thick as Thieves
  20. —Burning Sky
  21. —Wasteland
  22. —See-Saw
  23. —When You're Young
  24. —Smithers-Jones
  25. —Smithers-Jones [Single Version]
  26. —So Sad About Us
  27. —Private Hell
    3:49

More from The Jam

Albums & EPs

Alternate Setting Sons
2025
Live At Rockpalast Part Two
2024
Live At Rockpalast Part One
2024
Stateside EP
2018
1977
1977
2017
Live At Wembley Arena 2nd December 1982
2017

Explore

More tracks by The Jam

  1. Best of Both Worlds
  2. Every Little Bit Hurts
  3. Sweet Soul MusicThe Jam At The BBC
  4. All Mod ConsLive At Wembley Arena 2nd December 1982
  5. Away From NumbersLive At Wembley Arena 2nd December 1982
  6. Beat SurrenderLive At Wembley Arena 2nd December 1982
  7. Boy About TownLive At Rockpalast Part One
  8. Boy About TownLive At Wembley Arena 2nd December 1982
  9. Burning Sky (Live)Alternate Setting Sons
  10. But I'm Different NowLive At Rockpalast Part Two

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Writer
Paul Weller
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