Weller's eleventh studio album, Sonik Kicks, was released on 19 March 2012. The Green Songfacts reports that it was recorded in Weller’s own Black Barn Studios in Ripley, Surrey, with co-producer Simon Dine and engineer Charles Rees.
Born John William Weller in Stanley Road, Woking, he was also a central figure in the Mod revival. As the leader of the Jam, Paul Weller fronted the most popular British band of the punk era, influencing legions of English rockers that ranged from his mod-revival contemporaries to the Smiths in the '80s and Oasis in the '90s. During the final days of the Jam, he developed a fascination with Motown and soul, which led him to form the sophisti-pop group the Style Council in 1983. As the Style Council's career progressed, Weller's interest in soul developed into an infatuation with jazz-pop and house music, which eventually led to gradual erosion of his audience — by 1990, he couldn't get a record contract in the UK, where he had previously been worshipped as a demi-god. As a solo artist, Weller returned to soul music as an inspiration, cutting it with the progressive, hippie tendencies of Traffic. Weller's solo records were more organic and rootsier than the Style Council, which helped him regain his popularity within Britain. By the mid-'90s, he had released three successful albums which were both critically-acclaimed and massively popular in England, where contemporary bands like Ocean Colour Scene were citing him as an influence. Just as importantly, many observers, while occasionally criticizing the trad-rock nature of his music, acknowledged that Weller was one of the few rock veterans that had managed to stay vital within the second decade of his career.
"A" Bomb In Wardour Street
Paul Weller Lyrics
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With cataclysmic overtones
Fear and hate linger in the air
A strictly no-go deadly zone
And I don't know what I'm doing here
'Cause it's not my scene at all
There's an 'A' bomb in Wardour Street
They've called in the Army, they've called in the police to
I'm stranded on the vortex floor
My head's been kicked in and blood's started to pour
Through the haze, I can see my girl
Fifteen geezers got her pinned to the door
I try to reach her but fall back to the floor
'A' bomb off in Wardour Street
It's blown up the West End, now it's spreading through the City
'A' bomb in Wardour Street, it's blown up the City
Now it's spreading through the country
Law and order takes a turn for the worst
In the shape of a size-ten boot
Rape and murder throughout the land
And they tell you that you're still a free man
If this is freedom I don't understand
'Cause it seems like madness to me
'A' bomb in Wardour Street
Hate bomb, hate bomb, hate bomb, hate bomb
A Phillistine nation, of degradation
And hate and war there must be more
It's Doctor Martin's A-P-O-C-A-L-Y-P-S-E, Apocalypse!
The lyrics of Paul Weller's "A Bomb In Wardour Street" vividly describe a chaotic and violent atmosphere in a particular area of London. The streets are metaphorically described as being paved with blood, indicating a high level of conflict and destruction. Cataclysmic overtones imply that these events have far-reaching consequences and significant societal impact.
Fear and hate are said to linger in the air, creating a dangerous and unwelcoming environment. The area is described as a strictly no-go deadly zone, suggesting that it is hazardous for anyone to be there. The singer expresses feeling out of place, emphasizing that it is not their scene at all, implying a sense of detachment from the violence and the lifestyle associated with it.
The reference to an "A bomb" in Wardour Street portrays the explosive and destructive nature of the situation. The fact that the Army and police are called in suggests that the situation is spiraling out of control and requires external intervention. The singer finds themselves stranded on the vortex floor, a metaphorical representation of being caught up in the chaos. Their head has been kicked in, leading to blood pouring out, highlighting the brutality that is occurring.
The mention of the singer's girl being pinned to the door by fifteen geezers further emphasizes the dangerous and volatile nature of the scene. Despite attempting to reach her, the singer is unable to do so and falls back to the floor in a state of helplessness and despair.
As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that the impact of the "A bomb" in Wardour Street has spread beyond the confines of the West End, stating that it is now spreading through the City and the country. This implies that the initial incident has triggered a chain reaction of violence, chaos, and destruction, affecting a wider area.
The lyrics then delve into societal issues, criticizing the state of law and order. The singer describes a turn for the worst, symbolized by a size-ten boot. This likely refers to excessive force and abuse of power. The lyrics also highlight the prevalence of rape and murder throughout the land, questioning the notion of freedom in such a society.
The song culminates with the repetition of "Hate bomb" and the phrase "A Phillistine nation, of degradation," suggesting that the violent and hateful nature of society has reached a peak. The reference to Doctor Martin's Apocalypse serves as a final statement, emphasizing the apocalyptic atmosphere and the dire state of the world being portrayed in the song.
Overall, "A Bomb In Wardour Street" provides a powerful commentary on the destructive force of violence, the impact it has on individuals and society, and the potential consequences when hate and degradation prevail.
Line by Line Meaning
Where the streets are paved with blood
In this place, violence and conflict are rampant.
With cataclysmic overtones
The atmosphere is filled with a sense of impending disaster.
Fear and hate linger in the air
A profound sense of fear and animosity permeates the surroundings.
A strictly no-go deadly zone
The area is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
And I don't know what I'm doing here
The artist feels lost and out of place in this environment.
'Cause it's not my scene at all
The singer does not identify with or belong to this particular social setting.
There's an 'A' bomb in Wardour Street
There is a metaphorical explosive situation unfolding in Wardour Street.
They've called in the Army, they've called in the police to
The authorities have been summoned to address the escalating crisis.
I'm stranded on the vortex floor
The artist feels trapped and helpless amidst the chaos.
My head's been kicked in and blood's started to pour
The artist has been violently attacked, resulting in a profuse bleeding injury.
Through the haze, I can see my girl
Amidst the confusion, the singer catches a blurry glimpse of their loved one.
Fifteen geezers got her pinned to the door
A group of individuals has forcibly restrained and cornered the artist's girlfriend.
I try to reach her but fall back to the floor
Despite attempting to rescue her, the singer fails and collapses helplessly.
'A' bomb off in Wardour Street
The situation in Wardour Street has escalated and expanded explosively.
It's blown up the West End, now it's spreading through the City
The repercussions of the crisis have extended beyond the initial area, affecting the entire city.
'A' bomb in Wardour Street, it's blown up the City
The impact of the crisis has now reached a catastrophic level, engulfing the entire city.
Now it's spreading through the country
The crisis is rapidly disseminating and affecting the entire nation.
Law and order takes a turn for the worst
The system of maintaining order and justice experiences a significant decline.
In the shape of a size-ten boot
The deterioration of law and order is symbolized by the dominant presence of oppressive force.
Rape and murder throughout the land
Acts of sexual violence and homicide are prevalent across the entire region.
And they tell you that you're still a free man
Despite the worsening situation, authorities attempt to convince the population that they retain their freedom.
If this is freedom I don't understand
The artist questions the definition of freedom in the face of such chaos and oppression.
'Cause it seems like madness to me
The singer perceives the current state of affairs as irrational and nonsensical.
'A' bomb in Wardour Street
The metaphorical bomb in Wardour Street still poses a significant threat.
Hate bomb, hate bomb, hate bomb, hate bomb
The explosive impact of hatred and animosity is emphasized.
A Phillistine nation, of degradation
The country is characterized as a society lacking cultural refinement and experiencing a decline in moral values.
And hate and war there must be more
Hatred and warfare are prevalent and seem to be ever-increasing.
It's Doctor Martin's A-P-O-C-A-L-Y-P-S-E, Apocalypse!
The unfolding chaos is likened to an apocalyptic event, as if predicted by the renowned sociologist Doctor Martin.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Beefheart1
Speaking as someone who saw The Jam do this live (more years ago than I care to remember) this is a splendid rendition and very near to the energy of the live original. Of course, it doesn't hurt having the guvnor on stage with you either! A Punk Rock classic!
61mod
I think the main man helped,but not a bad attempt....