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.
Cobweb / Connections
Paul Weller Lyrics
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See what's really happening and why
Hear that distant bell so clear and bright
Heralding a new day
Somewhere, all connected
In your mind
Can you jump for joy and clap in time
Is there not a moment you could cite
That takes you through the back roads
Down by the river
Somewhere in the cobwebs
Of your mind
So don't go
And get by
'Cause that's not life
It's just getting through the day
So I say
Change today
Save yourself
And save all those around you too
And all the pictures you've been shown
Were made from paper, not from stone
But only you can now decide
How old and new worlds will collide
So don't go
And get by
'Cause that's not life
It's just getting through the day
Oh so I say
If I may
Save yourself
And save all those around you too
The opening lines of the song call upon the listener to reflect on the positive aspects of their life and to truly understand the events that are unfolding around them. It urges them to listen closely to a distant bell, symbolizing a new day and the potential for new beginnings. The lyrics suggest that everything and everyone is connected in some way, emphasizing the interconnectedness of our thoughts and experiences.
The next verse poses a question, asking if the listener can find joy and rhythm in their life. It implies that at times, it may be challenging to find goodness or positivity, but encourages the listener to search for even the smallest moments or memories that can guide them through difficult times. The mention of taking the back roads and being down by the river invokes a sense of exploration and finding solace in nature. The reference to cobwebs in the mind suggests that sometimes these positive memories or experiences may lie dormant or forgotten, but they can still be accessed and acknowledged.
The refrain repeats the message of not settling for simply getting by in life. It emphasizes that merely going through the motions is not truly living. It urges the listener to embrace change and to actively save themselves from a monotonous existence. The lyrics imply that by saving themselves, they will also have a positive impact on those around them, spreading a ripple effect of change and improvement.
The final verse speaks to the idea that the images and narratives we encounter in life are not fixed or eternal. They are presented to us through various mediums, such as paper, which can easily be manipulated and changed. The lyrics imply that we have the power to decide how the old and new worlds collide, suggesting that we can shape our own reality and influence the course of our lives.
The song concludes with a reiteration of the refrain, emphasizing the importance of saving oneself and those around them. It encourages the listener to take control of their life, make positive changes, and have a positive impact on the people they encounter. The overall message of the song is to embrace the potential for growth and transformation, rather than simply existing and surviving.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you see the good things in your life
Are you able to recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of your existence
See what's really happening and why
Perceive the true nature of events and understand their underlying reasons
Hear that distant bell so clear and bright
Listen to the unmistakable and radiant sound of opportunity
Heralding a new day
Signaling the arrival of a fresh beginning
Somewhere, all connected
In some place, everything is intertwined and linked
In your mind
Within your own thoughts and perception
Can you jump for joy and clap in time
Can you experience immense happiness and express it rhythmically
Not a trace of goodness you could find
Unable to discover any evidence of positivity
Is there not a moment you could cite
Could you not recall a single instance
That takes you through the back roads
Which guides you along alternative paths
Down by the river
Towards the tranquil waterside
Somewhere in the cobwebs
Hidden in the neglected corners
Of your mind
Within the depths of your thoughts
So don't go
Therefore, do not depart
And get by
And merely survive
'Cause that's not life
Because that does not amount to true living
It's just getting through the day
It is merely enduring the passing hours
So I say
Thus, I express
Change today
Alter your present circumstances
Save yourself
Rescue your own well-being
And save all those around you too
And also safeguard the welfare of those in your vicinity
And all the pictures you've been shown
Additionally, all the images you have been presented
Were made from paper, not from stone
Were crafted from flimsy material, not from enduring substance
But only you can now decide
However, it is solely your choice at this moment
How old and new worlds will collide
How the traditional and contemporary realms will clash and merge
Oh so I say
Oh, therefore I assert
If I may
If I am permitted to
Save yourself
Protect your own well-being
And save all those around you too
And also safeguard the welfare of those in your vicinity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul Weller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind