Town Called Malice/Precious

Town Called Malice/Precious is a double A-side single released by the British band The Jam in 1982, comprising two songs by the band. It was the lead single from their upcoming new album The Gift.

The single went straight to no.1 in the UK in the singles charts announced on 09 February 1982 (replacing Kraftwerk's The Model) and stayed at the top for three consecutive weeks (replaced by Tight Fit's The Lion Sleeps Tonight).

Both songs were written by band member and frontman Paul Weller and produced by Peter Wilson and The Jam.

Town Called Malice
Town Called Malice, also listed as "A Town Called Malice", is the better known of the two songs. It takes its name from the Nevil Shute novel A Town Like Alice (1950), and according to Weller it is about his experiences in his home town of Woking. The track features as the penultimate track on The Gift.

The song gained renewed popularity after its inclusion in the film Billy Elliot (2000) where the titular protagonist is seen dancing to the song.

Precious
Precious was another new composition and represents a musical novelty for the band as it features a funk/dance sound, featuring a horn section, as opposed to other compositions which had gone from post-punk, new wave and soul in style. Its dance orientation was accentuated by the release of an "extended version" on the 12" issue of the single. The song bears some similarities to a contemporary song Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag.

Release
UK only

Town Called Malice/Precious


 * 7" single, Polydor POSP 400

A1. Town Called Malice / A. Precious


 * 12" single, Polydor POSPX 400

A. Town Called Malice / AA. Precious (Extended version)

Top of the Pops
In a rare occasion, The Jam performed both songs on the same edition of Top of the Pops on 18 February 1982 when the single was enjoying its second week at no.1. In successive editions (25 February) only Town Called Malice was repeated. On its first week at no.1 the promo video had been shown.