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.
Can You Heal Us / War
Paul Weller Lyrics
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But none will stop us falling
Pulling faster all the time,
Powerless to warnings
If you feel the hand of God,
Can you guide it holy man?
But you are only flesh and blood,
Waiting too for judgment
Everybody gets their time
Don't be sad don't be blue,
Pray for me
I'll do the same for you
Split the Father and the Son,
Hand words to ease them
If you have the hand of God,
Can you heal us holy man?
But you are only flesh and blood,
Waiting too for judgment
Still saying!
Hang on tight hang on strong
How much longer can this go on
But don't be sad don't be blue,
It's one more thing set to confuse
Daddy don't weep Momma don't cry
Every fear must have its time
Don't be sad don't be blue,
Pray for me
I'll do the same for you.
Can you bring the hand of God?
Can you stop the killing?
Get us back to hope and love,
Never more be needed
Still saying!
Bloods gone bad bad to worse
Worse to bad and back again
But don't be sad don't be blue,
It's one more thing sent to confuse
Momma don't weep Daddy don't cry
Every fear must have its time
Don't be sad don't be blue,
Pray for me I'll do the same for you.
The lyrics of the song "Can You Heal Us / War" by Paul Weller reflect the singer's disdain for the destructive nature of war and his search for a better way of resolving conflicts. The repetition of the question "What is it good for?" in the chorus suggests that the singer sees no benefit to violence and destruction. The stanza that discusses the discovery of beauty and its power over man underscores the senselessness of war, as it destroys that beauty and causes unrest among younger generations. The singer expresses his desire to devote himself to thoughts and writing after the war, emphasizing the need for a better way to resolve conflict.
The song also addresses the concept of revolutionary love, advocating for love as the prime mover of struggle, as in the case of individuals like Che Guevara, George Jackson, and Malcolm X. However, the song acknowledges the sacrifices made due to this love, as it often comes at the cost of one's life pridefully, and it is a heartbreaker that causes only destruction and tears.
Overall, the lyrics to "Can You Heal Us / War" highlight the damaging consequences of war and the need for a better way of responding to conflict. Through its themes of revolutionary love and the discovery of beauty, the song urges listeners to prioritize compassion and understanding over violence and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no-there's got to be a better way
The current situation of war is not acceptable and there must be a better alternative.
Say it again
Reiterate the point that there must be a better way than war.
There's got to be a better way-yeah
Emphasizing again that the current situation requires a better solution than war.
What is it good for? (war)
Questioning the value and worth of war as a means of resolving conflict.
Man has a sense for the discovery of beauty
Humans have an innate desire to find and appreciate beauty in all aspects of life.
How rich is the world for one who makes you for us to show
The world is made richer by those who create beauty for others to appreciate and enjoy.
Beauty must have power over man, war
Beauty should have the power to prevent humans from resorting to war as a means of resolving conflict.
After the end of the war I want to devote myself
After the war ends, the artist wants to dedicate themselves to introspection and writing.
To my thoughts for five to ten years and to writing them down
The artist wants to take time to reflect and record their thoughts over an extended period.
War has caused unrest among the younger generation
Younger people are disturbed by and disillusioned with the destructive effects of war.
Induction then destruction, who wants to die?
The cycle of enlisting people for war and sending them to their deaths is senseless and tragic.
Wars come and go what remains are only the values of culture
Wars are temporary phenomena, but cultural values endure over time and shape societies.
Then of course there is revolutionary love
In addition to cultural values, love and compassion can fuel revolutionary movements.
Love of comrades fighting for the people and love of people
There are different ways to express love in revolutionary struggles, such as love for fellow freedom fighters and love for the oppressed masses.
Not an abstract people but people one meets and works with
Expressions of love and solidarity should be grounded in tangible relationships with real people in one's community.
When Che Guevara taught of love being
Che Guevara emphasized the importance of love in revolutionary movements.
At the center of revolutionary endeavor, he meant both
Love should be central to both the means and ends of revolutionary struggle.
For people like Che or George Jackson or Malcolm X
Revolutionary leaders such as Che Guevara, George Jackson, and Malcolm X embodied the role of love in their fights for justice.
Love was the prime mover of their struggle
Love was a key motivating factor in the efforts of these revolutionary figures.
That love cost them their lives, love coupled with a man's pride
The love that motivated Che, Jackson, and Malcolm X came at great personal cost, as their pride and convictions demanded ultimate sacrifice.
Give it to you on top, now
A transition between talking about love and returning to the topic of war.
War, I despise 'cause it means destruction of innocent lives
The artist hates war because it results in the destruction of countless innocent people.
War, means tears to thousands of mothers how
Wars devastate families, causing widespread grief and heartbreak.
When their sons go off to fight and lose their lives
Mothers suffer greatly when their sons are sent to war and are killed.
I said, war, good god, now, what is it good for?
The singer repeats the refrain questioning the value of war.
Absolutely, nothing
War is ultimately pointless and destructive.
Listen to me
The singer wants their audience to pay attention to their message about the futility of war.
War, it ain't nothing but a heart breaker
War tears apart families and relationships, causing immense emotional pain and trauma.
War, friend only to the undertaker, war
The only beneficiaries of war are those who profit from death and destruction.
(War, war, war, war)
Repetition of the word 'war' to emphasize its destructiveness and repetition in human history.
War, what is it good for?
The singer reiterates their question about the value of war as a means of solving conflict.
Absolutely nothing
The answer is that war is good for nothing.
Say it, war, good god now, what is it good for?
Repeating the question again for emphasis.
Absolutely nothing, say it, (war)
The answer remains the same, war is of no value and should be avoided.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@neildougal1294
most of this world does not realise this how brilliant this man is.
@Lunatic4Bizcas
Undoubtedly. This song is more relevant than ever in this present time.
@CyberPin2001
He really is sooo good. The power, the presence, the songwriting, the voice. He's got the lot.
@abigailsweaton2502
One of the greatest men alive, and most of my generation dont even know his name... Sad
@iangardiner8303
Had the privilege of seeing him with my daughter by my side at Edinburgh Castle a few years back........ Top night 🌃
@Murp268
Piano, guitar, killer vocalist and songwriter. Not much Paul Weller can't so. Total package. Love your music!
@draganapasti_
If you don’t have a clue what a musical 🎵 genius is, just listen to this man. One and unique, multi gifted, romantic & energetic giant , Mr Paul Weller. 🌹
@waltersobchak926
this was Paul's best band line up
@dalgais1
Some times i forget how good.
@MrSpartanm33
Which idiot has put a thumbs down? PW is one of the few British artistes to come close to Lennon and McCartney. The guy is a bloody artiste supreme and stil going strong in his 50's. Thanks for posting this. Keep the faith!