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.
Around the Lake
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over ? off the dark
There’s a triumph in the buyout
Over ? here with?
It’s only in the gaps with fire
It’s all us inquired
It leads us well we know not well
It all goes on around the lake
Some insurance
off the pain
sometimes i?
you know is not us
It’s only in the gaps with fire
It’s all us inquired
It leads us well we know not well
It all goes on around the lake
It all goes on around the lake
And it’s only in the winds and fire
So?
That leads us well we know not well
It all goes on around the lake
It all goes on around the lake
Some disturbance in the ages
On the legends very tall
Something motion
like a rip of
on the water from my? fall
The lyrics of Paul Weller’s song “Around the Lake” are cryptic and do not follow a clear storyline. It appears that the song revolves around the concept of a lake and the mysterious occurrences that take place around it. The first two lines suggest that there is something missing or lacking in the backwoods, and there is a mighty force that takes control in the buyouts. It seems like the singer is talking about the imbalance of power and the unknown forces that govern it.
However, the lyrics then take an abstract turn and talk about fire, gaps, and inquiries. The singer suggests that there are many things that are unknown to us, and the only way to learn more is to study the gaps in between. This could be a metaphor for life, which is full of uncertainties, and the only way to make sense of it is by filling in the small details. The singer then repeats the phrase “It all goes on around the lake” to reinforce the idea that everything is interconnected and there is a pattern in the chaos that surrounds us.
The last few lines of the song suggest that there are disturbances in the ages, and there are legends that are very tall. It is unclear what this could mean, but again, the singer is alluding to something that is beyond our comprehension. The rip of water could be a sign of chaos or destruction, but it could also be a symbol of rebirth and renewal.
Overall, “Around the Lake” is a complex song that challenges the listener’s ability to interpret its meaning. It is a testament to Paul Weller’s songwriting skills and his ability to create music that is both abstract and captivating.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a vacuum in the backward
There's a void in the past
Over ? off the dark
Unknown or unclear what is obscuring the darkness
There's a triumph in the buyout
There's a sense of victory in the acquisition
Over ? here with?
Unknown or unclear who or what is present alongside
It's only in the gaps with fire
Only in moments of passion and intensity
It's all us inquired
Everyone is asking questions
It leads us well we know not well
The path ahead is uncertain
It all goes on around the lake
Life continues unabated
Some insurance off the pain
Finding relief from suffering
Sometimes i? you know it's not us
Occasionally feeling disconnected from others
And it's only in the winds and fire
Passion and inspiration come from unexpected sources
So? that leads us well we know not well
Unclear what will guide us, but we must follow
It all goes on around the lake
Life continues unabated
Some disturbance in the ages
Historical events causing upheaval
On the legends very tall
Myths and stories with great influence
Something motion like a rip of on the water from my? fall
A sudden and jarring event causing disruption and unrest
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SIMON DINE, PAUL WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GardnerGoldsmith
LOVE THIS THING! That forbidding baseline, then the Farfisa, the machine gun drums, and the vocals, describing trouble (is the Lake the Atlantic, are the troubles economic/political all around?) - the tambourine - perfectly placed, -- a window on a dangerous situation in the world, and likely a song that's part of a mosaic combined with others on the disc. "22 Dreams" began my fascination with this incredible, new way to "tell" albums, then "Wake up the Nation". Can't wait for the new disc!
@jonathanhadley2555
Gardner Goldsmith Thanks for pointing out the social & political lyrics
@blackularecords
I love all Weller's songs, and this is great too, i see a mod world in this great sound.
@PaulMahabir
Your damned right. This track is awesome. Years ago I bought a Jam collection and every track had that certain something that Paul Weller bring to his work. He still does it to this day.
@drwho900
Really loving this :)
@CivilianDeathMachine
Sounds Excellent! It's like a trip back to '67...but with a heavier, more modern driving beat! Look forward to the New Album dropping in March!
@psibri1
Have been able to enjoy the Modfather live 2x. He never stops getting better.
@doubleredsx3
people need to appreciate that weller is a changingman. proper tune, love that riff!
@timmis1971
Some people need to dust off their old Jam albums and wallow in nostalgia, I like this track, onwards and upwards!!
@AmirSuperTube
This album is a classic