Paul Weller (born 25 May 1958) is an English singer / songwriter, leader of… Read Full Bio ↴Paul Weller (born 25 May 1958) is an English singer / songwriter, leader of two successful bands: The Jam and The Style Council. In England, he is recognised as something of a national institution yet, because much of his songwriting is rooted in English culture, he has remained essentially a national rather than an international star.

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.

Baptiste
Paul Weller Lyrics

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I never used to pray
I never been to church
But when I hear that sound
It goes to my heart
Straight to my soul
Oh, I don't know
Straight to my soul, mm
If I got a God

It's in the stars above
But when I get that sound
Oh, it makes me strong, mm

Feeling real
Not a choice
A melody strong
An angel's voice
And I find myself
Find myself
In awe of its truth

And when I go
Go where I go
As long as I have that sound
I'm gonna go real slow
Straight to my heart
Hey, I don't know
Straight to my soul, mm

Feeling real
It's not a choice
A melody strong
An angel's voice
And I find myself
Find myself
In awe of its truth

From the mountains high
To the valleys low
From the oceans deep
To the sky so wide

As long as I got that sound
As long as I got that sound

Overall Meaning

In "Baptiste" by Paul Weller, the lyrics reflect the singer's personal journey towards spirituality and the profound impact that music has on their connection to something greater than themselves. The song starts with the admission that the singer had never been religious or expressed faith through traditional means like prayer or attending church. However, when they hear a particular sound, presumably referring to the music or a specific song, it resonates deeply within them, touching their heart and soul.

The repetition of the line "Straight to my soul" emphasizes the depth of emotion and spiritual connection the singer feels when they encounter this sound. They suggest that if they were to believe in a higher power, it would be found in the stars above, referring to a more universal concept of divinity. But it is the sound, the music, that gives them strength and fills them with a profound sense of purpose.

The lyrics express that the experience of hearing this sound is not just a fleeting moment or a choice but something real, something that comes alive within them. The melody is described as strong and the voice delivering it as that of an angel. This implies that the sound is pure, powerful, and transcendent, as if carrying a message from a higher realm. Intriguingly, the singer finds themselves in awe of its truth, showing how the sound resonates deeply within them, stirring their innermost beliefs and convictions.

The song highlights the transformative and transportive nature of this sound by suggesting that it becomes intertwined with the singer's very existence. They claim that as long as they have that sound, they will navigate their life's journey at a slow pace, suggesting that it becomes a guiding force, a source of inspiration, and a compass for their actions. It continues to touch their heart and soul, bringing them into a state of wonder and connection to the divine.

The concluding lines expand the scope of the singer's experience by referencing geographical elements like mountains, valleys, oceans, and the sky. This suggests that the impact of the sound carries across all dimensions, from the highest peaks to the lowest points on earth, and from the depths of the oceans to the vastness of space. It reinforces the idea that this sound is an all-encompassing force that transcends physical boundaries, elevating the singer's spiritual journey and providing an unyielding connection to something greater as long as they have that sound.

Line by Line Meaning

I never used to pray
I never engaged in religious rituals or sought guidance

I never been to church
I never attended a place of worship

But when I hear that sound
But when I listen to this particular music

It goes to my heart
It deeply affects my emotions

Straight to my soul
Directly connecting with the core of my being

Oh, I don't know
Oh, I can't explain

Straight to my soul, mm
Directly touching my innermost self

If I got a God
If there is a higher power

It's in the stars above
It resides in the celestial realm

But when I get that sound
But when I encounter this music

Oh, it makes me strong, mm
Oh, it fills me with strength