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.
Going My Way
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into your heart, I'm running away
I wanna stay with you
You following me, am I following you?
I don't care anyway
As long as you stay with me
It gets hard to say
Smile a while at our lives yet unseen
It's the world at play
As if by chance, they could tell our fate
These tea leaf-traces on empty plates
Sparkle and shine
Bird on the wing
Are you going my way?
Going my way with me
Play by my side
Stay with the beat
Are you going my way?
Going my way with me
With me
Many hearts were broke on the way
It gets hard to say
Smile a while at our lives yet unseen
It's the world at play
Wonder, oh, wonder
Where will we go next?
Time slipping by
Time on the wind
Are you going my way?
Going my way with me
Am I following you, you following me?
I don't care anyway
As long as you stay with me
With me
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
I'm so glad I found you now
Flying through the universe
Floatin' on the sound around
Gone today but never gone
Flying through the universe
I'm so glad I found you now
Floatin' on the sound around
Flying through the universe
In this song, Paul Weller describes a journey that he is taking with someone he cares deeply about. He wants to stay with that person and doesn't care if he has to follow them or they follow him. Along the way, he reflects on the many hearts that were broken, but he chooses to smile and enjoy the moment. He talks about how the world is at play and wonders what their fate is, but he doesn't worry about it. Instead, he just wants to enjoy the journey, play music together and stay with the beat. As time is slipping by and they don't know where they're headed next, he just wants to stay with the person he is with.
The lyrics reflect the idea of living in the moment and enjoying the ride, instead of worrying about the future or being held back by the past. Throughout the song, there is a sense of wonder and freedom that is reflected in the imagery of flying through the universe and floating on the sound around. The repeated refrain of "are you going my way?" reinforces the idea of a shared journey and a connection with someone special.
In summary, the song is about being with someone you care about and enjoying the ride, without getting too hung up on what the future may hold. It's a celebration of living in the moment and connecting with someone on a deep level.
Line by Line Meaning
Into your heart
I'm running away into your heart to stay with you
You following me, am I following you?
I don't know if we're following each other, but it doesn't matter as long as we're together
I don't care anyway
As long as you stay with me
I don't care about anything else as long as you're with me
Many hearts were broke on the way
It gets hard to say
Smile a while at our lives yet unseen
It's the world at play
Many people were hurt along the way and it's difficult to express it. Let's just enjoy life as it unfolds
As if by chance, they could tell our fate
These tea leaf-traces on empty plates
It's like the tea leaves on the empty plates can determine our future by mere luck
Sparkle and shine
Bird on the wing
Are you going my way?
Going my way with me
Let's shine and fly like birds. Are you coming with me?
Play by my side
Stay with the beat
Are you going my way?
Going my way with me
With me
Let's play together and keep up with the rhythm. Are you coming with me?
Wonder, oh, wonder
Where will we go next?
Let's be curious and wonder where life will take us next
Time slipping by
Time on the wind
Are you going my way?
Going my way with me
Time is fleeting like the wind. Are you coming with me?
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
Repeating sounds of joy or excitement
I'm so glad I found you now
Flying through the universe
Floatin' on the sound around
Gone today but never gone
I'm extremely happy that I found you. We're flying through life together and even when we depart, our memories will never leave
Flying through the universe
I'm so glad I found you now
Floatin' on the sound around
Flying through the universe
Reiterating the feeling of happiness and contentment with flying through life together
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Biovera Organics
One of his top 10 songs of all time. Just as stunning as 'Village'.
bloodnokian
Great, great song. Easily up there with his finest work.
xtstevie
Just stunning this.........No other words ?? Up there with his very very best
Mike Ludik
xtstevie
David W
Such a beautiful song. Love the rocking outro too.
27shocking
Sonically two drummers is class, it's a brilliant sounding album with brilliant tunes
Steven Brown
Superb track and the whole album Saturn’s pattern is as well.
The Fresh Seafood Store- Just Seafood Inc
Love it! :) <3
Oldandnew 123
Never fails to deliver a brilliant performance. X
ROOF TOP CAT
Paul is the man ,has been for me , along with his music as time goes by, many memories come along to, spread the music to all who can lend an ear, thank you again paul, keep the spirit flowing.