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.
Down In The Seine
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the reasons I had when the purpose was mine
Now I stumble so fast rolling into the night
Kiss me quick before I land and am broken in two
Keep me on the right track, hold my dreams intact too,
I get lost in this place, I get lost, yes its true
In the waters I sink, in the waters I drink
It's the same as below, we can put on a show
To make you feel you're alright, To make you feel there's no fight
Help me I'm sinking so fast into waters unplanned
That I once held onto but have got out of hand
Now the things that I loved are the things I can't stand
Squeeze me slow before I come to that part of the ground
It's a million miles up and a million miles down
I get lost in between and I wait to be found
In the waters I sink, in the waters I drink
Til I rise to the top, which in truth is not
It's the same as below, we can put on a show
To make you feel alright, to make you feel there's no fight
Catch me I'm falling so fast
Catch me I'm falling so fast
Catch me I'm falling so fast
The lyrics of Paul Weller's Down in the Seine appear to be dealing with someone who is calling out for help, someone who is sinking too fast, and someone who is feeling lost in their life. The opening line "Catch me I'm falling so fast and I can't seem to find all the reasons I had when the purpose was mine" indicates that the person may have lost their direction in life and is looking for help to get back on track. They ask for someone to "keep me on the right track, hold my dreams intact too" indicating that they need support and guidance from someone to help them regain their purpose.
The lyrics continue with a sense of desperation, as the person feels like they are drowning or sinking in water, and are struggling to stay afloat. They ask for someone to "squeeze me slow before I come to that part of the ground, it's a million miles up and a million miles down" which could be interpreted as seeking comfort and reassurance while they are struggling with their situation. The repeated chorus "Catch me I'm falling so fast" reinforces the sense of urgency and desperation expressed in the lyrics.
Overall, the lyrics seem to be a plea for help from someone who is feeling lost and overwhelmed in their life, and who is seeking support and guidance from someone they trust.
Line by Line Meaning
Catch me I'm falling so fast and I can't seem to find
I am rapidly losing control and cannot locate the reasons why
All the reasons I had when the purpose was mine
My motives and goals were clear when I was in charge of my direction
Now I stumble so fast rolling into the night
I am now swiftly descending, continually tripping in my pursuit
Kiss me quick before I land and am broken in two
Hold me before I succumb and am shattered and defeated
Keep me on the right track, hold my dreams intact too,
Lead me along the appropriate course, maintaining the possibility of my aspirations
I get lost in this place, I get lost, yes its true
I often wander aimlessly, uncertain and lost in my surroundings
In the waters I sink, in the waters I drink
I am submerged in confusion, spiritually and emotionally drained
Til I rise to the top, which in truth is not
Until I ascend, which is not actually a real possibility
It's the same as below, we can put on a show
The result is alike the depths, we can deceive ourselves and pretend
To make you feel you're alright, To make you feel there's no fight
To reassure ourselves and others that everything is okay, to deny any conflict
Help me I'm sinking so fast into waters unplanned
I am submerging quickly and unpredictably, without a determined course
That I once held onto but have got out of hand
Things that I formerly clung to have spiraled beyond my control
Now the things that I loved are the things I can't stand
Objects or people that were once precious are now the cause of my dislike
Squeeze me slow before I come to that part of the ground
Gently keep me from hitting rock bottom
It's a million miles up and a million miles down
Recovery can seem an insurmountable distance in either direction
I get lost in between and I wait to be found
I become disoriented and stranded midway, patiently hopeful of being rescued
Catch me I'm falling so fast
I am plummeting uncontrollably
Catch me I'm falling so fast
I am rapidly becoming overwhelmed
Catch me I'm falling so fast
I am plummeting uncontrollably
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheGnomeCity
Thanks for all the positive comments. Any Paris-related anecdotes are always welcome.
As time goes on, the video gets more and more retro. I like that!
@brettmeares9716
It's 2022 and still a GREAT SONG...Thanks for the post!!
@muschikatze
Ich war in den 1980er mit meiner großen Liebe zu Ostern in Paris. Wunderschöne Erinnerungen kommen da auf und man wünscht sich in diese Zeit zurück. War schön das mal wieder zu hören 👏👏🖖
@mirandatarantella
I love how this video is also a visual time capsule of the era during which this song was recorded,brilliant!
@croydonable
this video was made in 2000 .....
@doubleredsx3
I remember strolling along Le Seine, eating a lemon sorbet with my ex boyfriend with this song on my iPhone, one bit of the headphone in each of our ears. Truly romantic, one of the best memories ever despite the fact we have split.
@francescochelini9420
I've been strolling along the Seine with this song on a "walkman" (it was 1987 !) as well....fantastic memory
@Marcel_Audubon
sounds creepy - no wonder he's your ex if you put him through that kind of nonsense
@williamdonnelly895
Aw, babe..... 😕💕
@mareejudd5992
I’ve just separated from my ex husband and am trying out different ways of describing it to others. I could highlight the failure aspect of it, as I thought I’d be married forever, or do I highlight the opportunity to start again. The truth is that it’s not easy accepting second place (from a conventional, conservative perspective.)