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.
Frightened
Paul Weller Lyrics
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The sunlight creeping from my head down to my feet
Telling me to rise and face the light again
I plead to dawn, "don't make me move"
I just want to vanish and forget all that's true
Just one more night and I'll be alright
Wish I was the man that you thought I was
Waiting to fly up on eagles wings
But truth be told, I'm not that bold at all
I'm more frightened
White lightening
So sudden and blinding
Yet no more enlightened
Yeah, just a little more frightened
I'm gonna get it back, I'm gonna get it soon
I've just got to catch up for my world to resume
To be light and to hold you tight while you dream
And I stand alone so does everyone
It brings us closer as a strange distant sum
So near so far like distance stars
Hoping to be everything you want
Wish I was the man that you thought I was
Waiting to fly up on eagles wings
But truth be told, I'm not that bold at all
I'm just frightened
Woke up this morning like that
And all the roads that lead back
Lead me nothing that is nowhere
Lonely
Just a little more frightened
White lightening
So sudden and blinding
Yet no more enlightened
Yeah, just a little more frightened
The lyrics of Paul Weller's song "Frightened" express a sense of fear and uncertainty, perhaps reflecting the artist's personal struggles. In the first verse, the singer describes feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of facing the day, wanting to hide away from reality. He hopes that by staying hidden, he can delay the inevitable and find some peace. However, he knows that he needs to face the light and confront his fears.
The second verse expands on the singer's desire to be the person his loved one wants him to be, but feeling inadequate and powerless in his ability to live up to that ideal. He wishes he could soar like an eagle, unafraid and bold, but the truth is that he is scared and unsure of himself. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm just frightened" over and over, emphasizing the singer's sense of anxiety and vulnerability.
The final verse touches on themes of loneliness and distance, acknowledging that everyone is alone in their struggles, but also recognizing the connection that comes from shared experiences. The song ends with the singer still feeling frightened, but with a determination to face his fears and regain his sense of purpose.
Overall, "Frightened" is a powerful and introspective song that explores universal themes of fear and insecurity.
Line by Line Meaning
I shake and fall underneath my sheets
I am afraid and overwhelmed, it makes me feel weak and paralyzed
The sunlight creeping from my head down to my feet
The day is starting and the light is highlighting my fear and vulnerability
Telling me to rise and face the light again
The daylight is urging me to leave my bed and face the world, but I am not ready
I plead to dawn, "don't make me move"
I am begging the day not to force me to face my fears and responsibilities yet
I just want to vanish and forget all that's true
I wish I could disappear and ignore all the truths and problems I have to deal with
Just one more night and I'll be alright
I hope that if I retreat for one more night, I will be ready to face the day tomorrow
Hoping to be everything you want
I want to please someone and be enough for them
Wish I was the man that you thought I was
I am aware that someone has an idealized version of me, but I feel like a disappointment
Waiting to fly up on eagles wings
I am expecting to achieve great things and soar above my problems
But truth be told, I'm not that bold at all
In reality, I am not as confident and brave as I appear to be or wish to be
I'm more frightened
Actually, I am more scared than I let on
White lightening
My fear can be sudden and powerful like a lightning strike
So sudden and blinding
My fear can take over my senses and blur my vision of reality
Yet no more enlightened
However, my fear does not give me any new insight or understanding
Yeah, just a little more frightened
I am just a bit more scared than before
I'm gonna get it back, I'm gonna get it soon
I am determined to regain my confidence and strength soon
I've just got to catch up for my world to resume
I need to catch up with my responsibilities and obligations to get my life back on track
To be light and to hold you tight while you dream
I wish to bring happiness and security to someone else, even though I am afraid
And I stand alone so does everyone
Despite feeling alone, I know that everyone else also experiences fear and loneliness
It brings us closer as a strange distant sum
Our shared experience of fear and vulnerability creates a strange bond between us
So near so far like distance stars
We can all be close yet distant like stars in the sky
Woke up this morning like that
I woke up feeling scared and vulnerable again
And all the roads that lead back
I keep going back to the same places and thoughts that trigger my fear
Lead me nothing that is nowhere
However, those places and thoughts do not lead me anywhere and have no solution
Lonely
I feel lonely in my fear
Just a little more frightened
I am just a bit more scared, but I hope to overcome it eventually
White lightening
My fear can still strike and overwhelm me suddenly
So sudden and blinding
My fear can still take me by surprise and impair my vision of reality
Yet no more enlightened
Despite my fear, I have not gained any new insights or wisdom
Yeah, just a little more frightened
I am still a bit more scared than I wish to be
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul John Weller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind