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.
Books
Paul Weller Lyrics
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That swells with fables
On oceans of ages
Of changing truths?
What is this book?
What is this truth?
That treats the children so bad
Beaten and battered
And scarred for life
Something's not right
When the whole world can't cry
Enough's enough
This can't go on
And stop these wrongs
Where has love gone?
Men changing laws
To suit themselves
To further their wealth
Men starting wars
Is there nothing more?
Why don't you start
To live by the rules
Of your books
That you so take to heart
It would be a start
Where the whole world
Could cry
Enough's enough
This can't go on
And stop these wrongs
Where has love gone?
It would be a start
Where the whole world
Could cry
Enough's enough
This can't go on
And stop these wrongs
Where has love gone?
Enough's enough
There is no God
In these men's hearts
Only cold, cold death
And with intent
To do us harm
The song "Books" by Paul Weller is a commentary on the hypocrisy of those in power who claim to follow religious beliefs, but whose actions are coated with selfishness and lack of love. The song begins with Weller questioning the value of knowledge and truth in the books that are supposed to guide individuals towards morality and spirituality. He questions whether the fables and truths within these tomes are affected by the changing world and how they affect the people who read them. The song then takes a turn towards the injustices of the world and the pain inflicted upon innocent children who suffer due to the greed and selfishness of people in power. Weller is asking why there is no regard for the wellbeing of the vulnerable in this world. He is heartbroken that people have such disregard for human life and love.
Through his lyrics, Weller is calling for a change in how we choose to live our lives. He is questioning why people with power do not change laws to protect the vulnerable, and why we allow people to start wars where innocent people die. Weller is saying that we need to follow the teachings in the books we read and live by the rules that we so fiercely protect from others. His message is one of hope for a better world if only people start to take responsibility and become more aware of their surroundings. Weller is asking the listener to take notice of the world around them, not to be complacent, and to take action where necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
What is this book
The singer asks what is this book that stores stories about changing facts over time and numerous years?
That swells with fables
The book is full of myths and imaginations.
On oceans of ages
The book reflects on long periods of time.
Of changing truths?
The book records the concepts and beliefs that shift over time.
What is this truth?
The singer questions an unpleasant and bitter reality.
That treats the children so bad
The harsh reality leads to mistreatment of children.
Homeless and broken
Those children have lost their homes and happiness.
Beaten and battered
The children were victims of physical abuse.
And scarred for life
The traumatizing experience will impact those children for the remainder of their lives.
Something's not right
The circumstances are not acceptable.
When the whole world can't cry
The world is too numb to acknowledge and react to the suffering of innocent children.
Enough's enough
The situation needs to stop now.
This can't go on
The singer won't tolerate the ongoing agony of children.
And stop these wrongs
The singer wants to put an end to the injustice.
Where has love gone?
The singer is confused about love being lost in the world.
Men changing laws
Powerful people alter laws to serve their interests.
To suit themselves
The powerful individuals change laws as per their convenience.
To further their wealth
The objective of their actions is to gain more material possessions.
Men starting wars
Those people who hold power can initiate battles.
Is there nothing more?
The singer questions if there's more to life than being greedy and violent.
Why don't you start
The singer requests them to change their ways and start reforming.
To live by the rules
The rules written in their books can serve as a guide to living a better life.
Of your books
The books they claim to read and follow.
That you so take to heart
They need to start taking the rules of their books seriously.
It would be a start
If they live according to the rules, it could be the beginning of the change.
Where the whole world
The change can impact everyone.
Could cry
With the right attitude and actions, the world could cry out of joy instead of sorrow.
There is no God
The people who break laws and cause harm have no love in their hearts and do not follow any divine laws.
In these men's hearts
The people in question have cold hearts and lack love and empathy.
Only cold, cold death
Their actions are not leading to a better life and will end in regret and sorrow.
And with intent
Their actions are purposeful and with ill intentions.
To do us harm
Their actions will cause harm to innocent people.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul John Weller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind