I think politicians are so far out of step with what people really want.

The band was at the vanguard of a jazz/pop revival that would continue with the emergence of bands like Matt Bianco Sade and Everything but the Girl whose members Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt contributed vocals and guitar to the 1984 The Style Council song "Paris Match". By the time Weller was eleven and moving up to secondary school at Sheerwater County Secondary music was the biggest part of his life and he began playing the guitar. Nonetheless The Clash emerged as one of the leading early advocates of the band and were sufficiently impressed by The Jam to take them along as the support act on their White Riot tour of 1977.

Starting with the band The Jam (1976–1982) Weller went on to branch out musically to a more soulful style with The Style Council (1983–1989). Despite widespread critical recognition Weller has remained a national rather than an international star and much of his songwriting is rooted in English culture. He is also the principal figure of the 1970s and 80s mod revival and is often referred to as the Modfather.