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.
Above The Clouds
Paul Weller Lyrics
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Threatening winter as I walked
Summer always goes so quick, barely stopping like my thoughts
Which dip and spin and change so fast
I have to wonder, will I last
Through the windows of the train,
I caught reflections of a paper cup,
Never knowing which way's up
Above the clouds, what's to be found,
I have to wonder, will I be around
As my anger shouts, at my own self doubt,
So a sadness creeps, into my dreams
When you're scared of living but afraid to die
I get scared of giving and I must find the faith to beat it
I must be me that's rushing by,
Time just lingers on the wind.
Bristlin' through my open fears,
I wonder what it's going to bring
Above the clouds, what's to be found,
I have to wonder, will I be around
Run and hide, run and hide
I catch the sail at evening's tide
In Paul Weller's song "Above the Clouds", he describes the changes in seasons and the passing of time while he navigates through personal struggles. Autumn's end and winter's approach threaten to overtake him just as the quickness of summer makes him contemplate the fleetingness of his own thoughts. Through the train's window, he sees the reflection of a paper cup, hanging small in a pale blue sky, a metaphor for his own confusion and feeling of being lost. Weller contemplates his life, whether he'll last and if he'll be able to find something meaningful above the clouds. His own doubts and anger caused him to feel scared and uncertain about life, a sadness that creeps into his dreams. He is scared of not living but also afraid of dying, expressing the fear of losing one's life before fully living it.
Weller paints a vivid picture of uncertainty and introspection throughout the song, asking himself questions about the meaning of life and his place in it. The chorus, "Above the clouds, what's to be found, I have to wonder, will I be around" highlights Weller's sense of urgency in finding his purpose before it's too late. The song ends with Weller indicating that he must keep running, keep looking for answers, and eventually, he will catch the sail at evening's tide.
Line by Line Meaning
Autumn blew its leaves at me,
The season of Autumn indicated that winter is approaching as I walked along
Threatening winter as I walked
Winter seemed like it was threatening to come as I walked
Summer always goes so quick, barely stopping like my thoughts
The season of Summer passes by quickly and my thoughts move just as fast
Which dip and spin and change so fast
My thoughts change constantly and move very quickly
I have to wonder, will I last
I question whether my ability to last or endure will match the speed of my changing thoughts
Through the windows of the train,
While looking through the window of the train
I caught reflections of a paper cup,
I saw a reflection of a paper cup
Hanging small in a pale blue sky,
It was hanging small in a pale blue sky
Never knowing which way's up
It was impossible to determine which direction was up
Above the clouds, what's to be found,
There are unknown things beyond the clouds
I have to wonder, will I be around
I ponder whether I will still be alive to witness what lies beyond the clouds
As my anger shouts, at my own self doubt,
While feeling angry and doubtful about myself
So a sadness creeps, into my dreams
I become sad and this emotion creeps into my dreams
When you're scared of living but afraid to die
It's scary to be alive, but equally as scary to die
I get scared of giving and I must find the faith to beat it
I am afraid to give to others and must find the courage to overcome this fear
I must be me that's rushing by,
It must be me who is moving quickly
Time just lingers on the wind.
Time moves slowly and lingers in the wind
Bristlin' through my open fears,
Moving through my fears which are now exposed
I wonder what it's going to bring
I question the outcome of what is to come
Run and hide, run and hide
I feel the need to escape and hide
I catch the sail at evening's tide
I catch the wind with my sail as the day comes to an end
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind