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Jem — They
Album: It All Starts Here...
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1527









Released: 2003
Length: 3:12
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Who made up all the rules
We follow them like fools
Believe them to be true
Don't care to think them through

And I'm sorry
So sorry
I'm sorry
It's like this
I'm sorry
So sorry
I'm sorry
We do this

And it's ironic too
'Cause what we tend to do
Is act on what they say
And then it is that way

And I'm sorry
So sorry
I'm sorry
It's like this
I'm sorry
So sorry
I'm sorry
We do this

And who are they
And where are they
And how can they possibly know all this

And who are they
And where are they
And how can they possibly know all this

Do you see what I see
Why do we
Live like this
Is it because it's true
That ignorance is bliss

And who are they
And where are they
And how can they know all this
I'm sorry
So sorry
I'm sorry
It's like this

Do you see what I see
Why do we
Live like this
Is it because it's true
That ignorance is bliss

And who are they
And where are they
And how can they know all this
I'm sorry
So sorry
I'm sorry
We do this
Comments (142)add comment
I love this - I used to play Bach's Prelude in F minor (BWV 881) on which this is based.
Posted 2 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Great voice! I never heard of her before! Thanx RP!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Oddly enough I first heard this on the CBC, our stodgy old national broadcaster...
Posted 2 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
She does have some resemblance to Poe…
Posted 3 years ago by Pioneer_Sing    [ Reply ]
Has a certain resonance in the UK today!
Posted 4 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
 Johnny_Wave wrote:
Sort of annoying, but not that much
 

That's what my wife says about me....
Posted 4 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
Sorry, another album that didn't deliver - has she done anything since? Am not spending time reading wikki-bio. But the tune convinced me to get the album. I'm sorry, so sorry
Posted 4 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
A radical message wrapped in danceable pop. She's a bit of an anarchist on the sly, is Jem. She's a lovely voice, !and the kids chorus is sweet :o) 9 from the beguiled Nottingham jury.
Posted 4 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 jocelynsart wrote:
I shall admit, I actually like this lol!
 
Why is that an "admission" of some sort? I wanna know who doesn't like it.
Posted 4 years ago by jahgirl8    [ Reply ]
Dance of the Sugarpop Fairy?
Posted 4 years ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]
Nice!!! very nice 
Posted 5 years ago by cristiangumo    [ Reply ]
I shall admit, I actually like this lol!
Posted 10 years ago by jocelynsart    [ Reply ]
Truly outrageous. Truly, truly outrageous! 
Posted 10 years ago by Lonestar    [ Reply ]
Hmm 2003? Thought this was older (and somehow had a 90s feel to it)
Posted 11 years ago by alexg1    [ Reply ]
Funny, I am expecting Brenda Lee.

 jadewahoo wrote:
I keep expecting them to break into
"I'm sorry, Uncle Albert..."

 


Posted 11 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
OK, (hyuk, hyuk, hyuk) I googled "JEM" to find out a little more about the band, and ... boom! ... playdolls in so much pink it ruined my monitor.

Let's try this again ... 
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
The poppiest song about surveillance society that I've ever heard. Cute sound, dark lyrics.
Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 tompoll wrote:

I just watched the vid on YouTube. Sorry—I can't exactly recall the theme—I got a bit hung up on how incredibly cute she is!
 
Quite - cute isn't the word for such a sweet face and voice {#Hearteyes}

The 'spacesuit strip' video is very tasty, and there's also the 'small town retro' video for the same song. Neither uploaded in a decent resolution, sadly :(

According to Wikipedia, she's from South Wales, which explains the Celtic good looks :). There are more pics and vids on the official website, but no music, sadly.

Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Not very musical, to my ears.
Posted 13 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
Forgot about this one.
Posted 13 years ago by fast_eddie    [ Reply ]
anna ternheim?
Posted 13 years ago by 200    [ Reply ]
A little more airplay please...  I really like this song.

Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
I keep expecting them to break into
"I'm sorry, Uncle Albert..."
Posted 13 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
I can't handle songs with the canned music track. I want musicians playing my music not programmers.
Posted 13 years ago by atlas    [ Reply ]

What a jem {#Dance}



Posted 13 years ago by Raechel    [ Reply ]
always love hearing Jem!  {#Bounce}
Posted 14 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
^_^
\__/
Posted 14 years ago by nerakdon    [ Reply ]
Fun song with and interesting sound. :D  
8. 
Posted 14 years ago by randerse10    [ Reply ]
 KitKat wrote:

Wow, cool.  I knew that it's from the Well-Tempered Clavier, and if I were home I could tell you which prelude or fugue it is!  Actually, Bach did 2-3 variations of this.

I was SO impressed that Jem and/or the songwriter knew WTC well enough to do this little riff on Bach.  But now I see, it's from the Swingle Singers.  Ah well, at least the Swingle Singers were cool, right?  :-)

 

Right you are! It's derived from Bach's Prelude & Fugue No. 12 in F minor, BWV 881.


Posted 14 years ago by Inamorato    [ Reply ]
Sort of annoying, but not that much
Posted 14 years ago by Johnny_Wave    [ Reply ]
Well beyond over it.
Posted 14 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
 GanjaGood wrote:
Hate it! Sounds just like the rest of that hip hop crap out there!

 
Dick? {#Whistle}
Posted 14 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
Pop-a licious
Posted 15 years ago by pannaramma    [ Reply ]
Pop-A-Rifffic —- {#Drummer}
Posted 15 years ago by Brooky    [ Reply ]

{#Dancingbanana} POP-TASTICAL! {#Sunny}



Posted 15 years ago by Jamunca    [ Reply ]
I just had to add this song to my iPod. Thanks RP!
Posted 15 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
 kellis wrote:
This was the first Jem song I heard and I must say the album did not disappoint; LOVE her voice.
However, can anyone tell me just what exactly is up with the video to this song?! I know songs and videos aren't always meant to go hand in hand but this one was particularly random...{#Ask}
 
To show she has a hot bod, would be my guess.

Posted 15 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 Marr wrote:
Dude, this is not hip hop.
 
It's flipperty flop.. get wit it!Bananajumprope
Posted 15 years ago by Montyontherun    [ Reply ]
 kellis wrote:
This was the first Jem song I heard and I must say the album did not disappoint; LOVE her voice.
However, can anyone tell me just what exactly is up with the video to this song?! I know songs and videos aren't always meant to go hand in hand but this one was particularly random...{#Ask}
 
I just watched the vid on YouTube. Sorry—I can't exactly recall the theme—I got a bit hung up on how incredibly cute she is!
Posted 16 years ago by tompoll    [ Reply ]
 Zeito wrote:
Jem

Truly outrageous. Truly truly truly outrageous.
 
Drat.  Beaten to the punch by a whole year!
Posted 16 years ago by mongoose01ca    [ Reply ]
This was the first Jem song I heard and I must say the album did not disappoint; LOVE her voice.
However, can anyone tell me just what exactly is up with the video to this song?! I know songs and videos aren't always meant to go hand in hand but this one was particularly random...{#Ask}
Posted 16 years ago by kellis    [ Reply ]
 Kokoloco53 wrote:
For all you young kids out there, this song is a play on an old JS Bach tune that was recorded by the Swingle Singers in 1968 or so. The original album is now available in its origninal form online. The Swingle Singers, awesome.
 
Wow, cool.  I knew that it's from the Well-Tempered Clavier, and if I were home I could tell you which prelude or fugue it is!  Actually, Bach did 2-3 variations of this.

I was SO impressed that Jem and/or the songwriter knew WTC well enough to do this little riff on Bach.  But now I see, it's from the Swingle Singers.  Ah well, at least the Swingle Singers were cool, right?  :-)


Posted 16 years ago by KitKat    [ Reply ]
The new Jem album, Down to Earth, will be released on September 16.
Posted 16 years ago by Inamorato    [ Reply ]
reminds me of edward scissor hands.
Posted 16 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Hits me like little kids singing the same simple song over and over and over....
Posted 16 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
peyotecoyote wrote:
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!
Um... was that a hairball?
Posted 16 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
Finally Woken is constantly in my CD player. Awesome album. Good stuff Bill!!
Posted 16 years ago by HokieRider    [ Reply ]
Marr wrote:
Dude, this is not hip hop.
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!
Posted 16 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
GanjaGood wrote:
Hate it! Sounds just like the rest of that hip hop crap out there!
"Back in my day, we didn't make music like this. We sang into talking cans & made banjos out of sticks and cat guts...and we liked it!" j/k...this isn't hip hop, though.
Posted 16 years ago by Danimal174    [ Reply ]
Britney, is that you?
Posted 16 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]
If you can't find the EP, "They" is also on her first, and so far only, album, Finally Woken, which used to be the source of this particular track and how I learned about it here on RP a few years ago.
Posted 16 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
GanjaGood wrote:
Hate it! Sounds just like the rest of that hip hop crap out there!
How old are you, sixty?
Posted 16 years ago by denizenusa    [ Reply ]
GanjaGood wrote:
Hate it! Sounds just like the rest of that hip hop crap out there!
Dude, this is not hip hop.
Posted 16 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
Hate it! Sounds just like the rest of that hip hop crap out there!
Posted 16 years ago by GanjaGood    [ Reply ]
like it!
Posted 16 years ago by treepop    [ Reply ]
I was going to make a crack about Gabriel Rios making an upbeat new song when I realised that this is actually quite good.
Posted 16 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
Kokoloco53 wrote:
For all you young kids out there, this song is a play on an old JS Bach tune that was recorded by the Swingle Singers in 1968 or so. The original album is now available in its origninal form online. The Swingle Singers, awesome.
Groovy song. Definitely going to check out the Seingle Singers tip!
Posted 16 years ago by dewinter    [ Reply ]
ThePoose wrote:
I keep hearing Brenda Lee, dammit! ''I'm sorry, so sorry...''
For some reason I hear a poor attempt at making a Christmas song.
Posted 16 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
Jem Truly outrageous. Truly truly truly outrageous.
Posted 17 years ago by Zeito    [ Reply ]
I never get tired of this.
Posted 17 years ago by Euphemism    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
For all you young kids out there, this song is a play on an old JS Bach tune that was recorded by the Swingle Singers in 1968 or so. The original album is now available in its origninal form online. The Swingle Singers, awesome.
Posted 17 years ago by Kokoloco53    [ Reply ]
The only reason this one is averaging a 7.1 rating right now is because it sounds great compared to that Oi Va Voi - Yuri mess that we just endured.
Posted 17 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
mcjemmy!
Posted 17 years ago by enidualc    [ Reply ]
ThePoose wrote:
I keep hearing Brenda Lee, dammit! ''I'm sorry, so sorry...''
wow, a statement from ThePoose that I can agree with...
Posted 17 years ago by krg123    [ Reply ]
Curley24 wrote:
What would we do with RP? We'd be suffering with the garbage that is US radio these days. Awesome song here and thanks for bring us such great music!
The radio does suck, but this song got plenty of air play where I live. I liked it then, I like it now. :-)
Posted 17 years ago by chirpie    [ Reply ]
brilliant. one of the best NEW voices out there. excellent production level here. she was surprisingly good LIVE... check out "Just A Ride" as well... great stuff.
Posted 17 years ago by King_Balt    [ Reply ]
What would we do with RP? We'd be suffering with the garbage that is US radio these days. Awesome song here and thanks for bring us such great music!
Posted 17 years ago by Curley24    [ Reply ]
Sorry. But for what?
Posted 17 years ago by Whirlpool    [ Reply ]
Is this the clip were she strips in space?
Posted 17 years ago by MrCaps    [ Reply ]
Kids singing in songs gives me the super-creeps, but I know what I kinda like and I kinda like this.
Posted 17 years ago by Gaylord_Meatface    [ Reply ]
Still grooving on this. Recruited two more to RadioParadise tonight due to this song alone!
Posted 17 years ago by Euphemism    [ Reply ]
Brian_S wrote:
And two years later, I feel the same sentiment after my party lost the house and senate. Your turn to smile.
Not lost so much as had it taken away for abuse.
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
I could swear I've rated this song before... is there any kind of maximum number of ratings limit?
Posted 17 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
I cannot even explain why this song pushes all the right buttons for me.
Posted 17 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
The weird children's voices always gives me shivers.
Posted 17 years ago by AmandaMaria    [ Reply ]
exciter76 wrote:
lovely voice and...... men..... she's sooooo hot!!!
Posted 17 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Brian_S wrote:
my party lost the house and senate
About time.
Posted 17 years ago by ObsidianInfinity    [ Reply ]
rpm wrote:
This song fits my mood after the elction. "I am so sorry it's like this."
And two years later, I feel the same sentiment after my party lost the house and senate. Your turn to smile.
Posted 17 years ago by Brian_S    [ Reply ]
lovely voice and...... men..... she's sooooo hot!!!
Posted 18 years ago by exciter76    [ Reply ]
Someone suggested I'd like this band. I hated this band up until this song. Good for them.
Posted 18 years ago by Gryn    [ Reply ]
I like this song a whole lot. I actually didn't know of Jem until radio paradise either. When I first saw the name I thought of that silly cartoon but it's nice to see this Jem doesn't have a glittery star on her face, hehehee I have listened to this song over and over and still enjoy it, another guy I know put a bunch of ABC's 'Lost' television show images to the song and made a short video, it was actually pretty good. odd how well the song fit the show...
Posted 18 years ago by davyjrshort    [ Reply ]
Joyfulchristine wrote:
How glad I am that others watched and remember! :) Jem was a guilty pleasure for me, even as a child.
I loved that show!
Posted 18 years ago by luminousjune    [ Reply ]
I was merging onto the freeway in Denver when this song came on the radio. I was so entranced by the beginning that I botched the merge and had a fender-bender, the first accident in my 30-plus years of driving. Mixed feelings on this song, obviously.
Posted 18 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
I keep hearing Brenda Lee, dammit! ''I'm sorry, so sorry...''
Posted 18 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
KSTrillian wrote:
I keep finding out that a couple songs that just tend to entrance me are from Jem. The harmonies are just so pretty and I'm a sucker for that. Guess I'll have to get the full album. Anyone here listened to it all?
I have it. I was disappointed. The five songs that were on her EP ("It All Starts Here") were the best of the bunch. In retrospect, the EP is all I should have bought. This song, however, is my absolute favorite of her stuff. I give it a 9. -David
Posted 18 years ago by jone_ston    [ Reply ]
Gonna have to bump it from 7 to 8; one of those songs that grow on you. sigghhhhh.... (bill relaxes)
Posted 18 years ago by Monkeysdad    [ Reply ]
I keep finding out that a couple songs that just tend to entrance me are from Jem. The harmonies are just so pretty and I'm a sucker for that. Guess I'll have to get the full album. Anyone here listened to it all?
Posted 18 years ago by KSTrillian    [ Reply ]
More Triangle!!!
Posted 18 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
Whoa, circa 1960s Swingle Singers! This rules!
Posted 18 years ago by physicsgenius    [ Reply ]
This song makes me shiver, I love it. Has something so special, tragic, but strong and energetic.
Posted 18 years ago by Pachypteris    [ Reply ]
The childrens' voices are disconcerting, but I think it drives the point home. This song seems to lurch between verses, weaving left and right in a drunken stupor of little vignettes. QUITE infectious.
Posted 18 years ago by Euphemism    [ Reply ]
the little kid noises are disturbing
Posted 18 years ago by Duluoz    [ Reply ]
Posting song lyrics here is very very annoying.
Posted 18 years ago by iglam    [ Reply ]
I'm sorry too.
Posted 18 years ago by dapower    [ Reply ]
Bubble gum. Good if you're 13.
Posted 18 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
They Who made up all the rules We follow them like fools Believe them to be true Don't care to think them through And I'm sorry so sorry I'm sorry it's like this I'm sorry so sorry I'm sorry we do this And it's ironic too Coz what we tend to do Is act on what they say And then it is that way And I'm sorry so sorry I'm sorry it's like this I'm sorry so sorry I'm sorry we do this Who are they And where are they And how can they possibly know all this Who are they And where are they And how can they possibly know all this Do you see what I see Why do we live like this Is it because it's true that ignorance is bliss Who are they And where are they And how do they know all this And I'm sorry so sorry I'm sorry it's like this Do you see what I see Why do we live like this Is it because it's true that ignorance is bliss And who are they And where are they And how can they know all this And I'm sorry so sorry I'm sorry we do this By Gerard Young; Jem Griffiths
Posted 19 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
Every time I hear this song, I like it less and less. Off to the LRC for a few... <-(
Posted 19 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
(click here)
Posted 19 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
I think this was used a the backing track for a "Crossing Jordan" episode...
Posted 19 years ago by cpmwi    [ Reply ]
Notes must have been really expensive when this song was written. I can't get past four, but then it seems as if I get hypnotized, lose count and have to start over. One... two... three... four. Yep, I just keep getting four notes here...
Posted 19 years ago by diane    [ Reply ]
valerama wrote:
Showtime Synergy!!!
How glad I am that others watched and remember! :) Jem was a guilty pleasure for me, even as a child.
Posted 19 years ago by Joyfulchristine    [ Reply ]
rpm wrote:
This song fits my mood after the elction. "I am so sorry it's like this." good song..
ain't that the freakin' truth!!!! 8O :verysorry: :verysorry: believe me, speaking for myself and half of the rest of us, we feel your pain.
Posted 19 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
I bought this album whilst I was in the US after hearing her on RP, as it's not available in the UK. It's a great album which I listen to often on my iPod. Carry on the good work Bill and bring us more great "unknowns". :D
Posted 19 years ago by drtracey    [ Reply ]
Angloray wrote:
does anyone know what it is? Is it a sample from something or did they record it for this song?
it's definitely a sample; the choral bits are the swingle singers, and the little kids are just some random track she and Dre had in the studio and thought would be cool. Jem herself admitted in an interview that she had no idea what the little kids are saying, but that it always sounded to her like Go, go, Jackie Chan, chan ch-chan chan chan, go Jackie...
Posted 19 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
This song fits my mood after the elction. "I am so sorry it's like this." good song..
Posted 20 years ago by rpm    [ Reply ]
Any track on this album would be great on RP.
Posted 20 years ago by SquashSoup    [ Reply ]
She's quite talented - and those kids are reaalllly good. I like the whole album, basically
Posted 20 years ago by MuadDib    [ Reply ]
gntlemanartist wrote:
The real stars of this track are the backup children samples. Much more interesting than the main singer.
does anyone know what it is? Is it a sample from something or did they record it for this song?
Posted 20 years ago by Angloray    [ Reply ]
beelzebubba wrote:
I wonder if her boobs are as big as Jewel's......
Just wondering? I wouldn't know but from what I'v heard so far, this doesn't seem to be a bad CD.
Posted 20 years ago by vvaffle    [ Reply ]
The real stars of this track are the backup children samples. Much more interesting than the main singer.
Posted 20 years ago by gntlemanartist    [ Reply ]
The backtrack sounds like something I heard in a Woolworth's store when I was kid. I wonder if her boobs are as big as Jewel's......
Posted 20 years ago by beelzebubba    [ Reply ]
Showtime Synergy!!!
Posted 20 years ago by valerama    [ Reply ]
Tux wrote:
I realy like this tune, but I'm affraid it is a tune you will be going to dislike if you hear it too often. RP plays it quite often, and I didn't know anything about Jem before I started listening to RP, and it has already reached a point where the intro makes me say: Hmm Jem with Them again. Dangerous.
definitely past the boiling point now for me
Posted 20 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
blythemeteor wrote:
Loving this!!!
Mee tooo! Can't get enough of this girl! A fresh sparkling voice and talent. My 13-year-old students really like this album, despite it's complete lack of dark brooding pessimism.
Posted 20 years ago by Creation_dreamer    [ Reply ]
I realy like this tune, but I'm affraid it is a tune you will be going to dislike if you hear it too often. RP plays it quite often, and I didn't know anything about Jem before I started listening to RP, and it has already reached a point where the intro makes me say: Hmm Jem with Them again. Dangerous.
Posted 20 years ago by Tux    [ Reply ]
This song sounds like it belongs on the soundtrack for the game "Myst III". If anyone (other than me) has the soundtrack, listen to the opening track... sound familiar? It's not a total rip-off, but she must have played a lot of Myst III before writing this song... ;-) total geek. I know. adam a
Posted 20 years ago by aarrowood    [ Reply ]
artmarcia wrote:
This song is Track 2 on the Paste Magazine sampler CD for the April/May issue. Thanks RP for turning me on to Paste.
I second that. Amazing sampling.
Posted 20 years ago by Drunkenlilacwine    [ Reply ]
Made the mistake of buying this disc based on this tune. Others here are right - it is basically bubblegum. Disappointing, as she has a really itneresting voice - but her songwriting skills are just godawful. One tune off this disc actually boasts the lyric "today is the first day of the rest of your life...." which really marks Jem as an original thinker. Most of the tunes are also badly arranged with highly electronic, boring synth patches. I feel like Jem really needs to do a lot of growing up as a songwriter. Great potential as a singer, though. Her voice is like no one else I've recently heard.
Posted 20 years ago by rgrace    [ Reply ]
artmarcia wrote:
This song is Track 2 on the Paste Magazine sampler CD for the April/May issue. Thanks RP for turning me on to Paste.
Yes, thanks! I bought this CD and love every song on it!
Posted 20 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]