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.
Failed
Paul Weller Lyrics
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Between a rock and a carbonized tree
And everyone quite easily says, "Bye"
I banished all when I went away
I never said what I wanted to say
And every time I brought it up
I failed
I hate myself when it gets to this
I'm just a coward when it comes to it
And every time I try to reach
I fail
If everything was different now
How different would I be?
If I could change one thing around
Would that pattern still be complete?
I banished all when I went away
I couldn't face standing there all day
Tryna think of clever things to say
I bailed
If everything was different now
How different would I be?
If I could change one thing around
Would that pattern still be complete?
What kind of person have I really been?
I never took it, I just follow a dream
And all the things I just don't get
And all the words I never meant
And all things that make no fucking sense
I failed
Oh, I failed
Mmm, I failed
Mmm, I failed
Oh, I failed
The lyrics to Paul Weller's song "Failed" reflect feelings of regret, self-doubt, and missed opportunities. The metaphorical expression "between the devil and the deep blue sea" suggests a feeling of being trapped between difficult choices, while the phrase "between a rock and a carbonized tree" further emphasizes a sense of being stuck in a difficult situation. The line "I banished all when I went away" hints at the idea of running away from problems rather than confronting them. Throughout the song, the repetition of the word "failed" highlights the sense of disappointment and frustration at one's own shortcomings.
In the second verse, the singer expresses a desire to change things and wonders what kind of person they would be if everything was different now. This introspective questioning illustrates a sense of longing for a different reality but also highlights the inability to change the past. The lines "I never took it, I just follow a dream" can be interpreted as regret over not taking action towards achieving goals or desires.
The chorus reinforces the theme of failure, with Weller repeating "I failed" three times. The song's somber tone and melancholic melody reflect the singer's feelings of frustration and self-doubt.
Line by Line Meaning
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Caught in a difficult or dangerous situation with no easy way out
Between a rock and a carbonized tree
Stuck in a difficult or impossible situation
And everyone quite easily says, "Bye"
Everyone else moves on while the singer is still struggling
I banished all when I went away
The artist left behind or cut ties with everything they knew or loved
I never said what I wanted to say
The artist never expressed their true thoughts or feelings to anyone
And every time I brought it up, I failed
The singer attempted to express themselves but was unsuccessful each time
I hate myself when it gets to this
The singer feels self-loathing or intense frustration
I'm just a coward when it comes to it
The artist feels like they lack courage or strength
And every time I try to reach, I fail
The artist attempts to connect with others, but it never works out
If everything was different now, how different would I be?
The artist wonders how different their life would be if things had gone differently
If I could change one thing around, would that pattern still be complete?
The singer questions if making one small change would alter the overall outcome
I banished all when I went away
Repetition of earlier line
I couldn't face standing there all day
The singer is uncomfortable being present in certain situations
Tryna think of clever things to say, I bailed
The singer tries to impress or be clever but ultimately gives up
What kind of person have I really been?
The singer questions their own character or behavior
I never took it, I just follow a dream
The artist pursued a dream or goal but might've overlooked other important things
And all the things I just don't get
The artist is confused or uncertain about certain things
And all the words I never meant
The singer said things they didn't actually mean
And all things that make no fucking sense, I failed
The singer is overwhelmed by confusing or nonsensical aspects of life and feels like they've failed
Oh, I failed
Repetition of earlier line
Mmm, I failed
Repetition of earlier line
Mmm, I failed
Repetition of earlier line
Oh, I failed
Repetition of earlier line
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul Weller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind