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.
He’s The Keeper
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stone believer, it's a passion
And he knows it, he's the keeper
Hanging wishes up upon our stars
He waits for love
Yes, he waits for love
Trying to brave the land
Something about the man
Is about to make a stand
With nothing but liars and thieves
Trying to purchase thee
Where are you meant to go?
Fly away, high away
He's the one knight on a knackered stallion
His rusty armour so undervalued
Does he know that he's a reason
He's asleep now but never gone
He just waits for love
Yes, he waits for love
Yes, he waits for love
(He's the keeper)
Hanging without a cloud
Hoping to draw a crowd
If he's willing to take a chance
Come on people, make a stance
From tiny acorns grow
All kinds of seekers
And where are they meant go
But fly away, high away
In the maelstrom of indecision
Shine believer find the season
He helped to grow it, he's the keeper
Hanging wishes up upon our stars
He waits for love
Yes, he wait for love
He's the keeper of the lantern
He's the message in the midnight of your madness
In the backlog of conversations
We never had
We wait for love
Yes, we wait for love
Yes, you wait for love
The song "He's the Keeper" by Paul Weller is a beautiful portrayal of the innate human desire for love while navigating through the trials and tribulations of life. The chorus emphasizes this longing for love, with the line "He waits for love, yes he waits for love" being repeated several times. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is waiting for love, possibly in a world where people are dishonest and corrupt, and the only source of hope is the shining stars above. The metaphor of the keeper of the lantern and the hanging of wishes upon the stars adds to the sense of longing and hope for love.
In the second verse, Weller speaks of the man's journey, possibly alluding to his struggles and hardships in life. The lines "Flying without a hand, trying to brave the land, something about the man is about to make a stand" speak to the man's resilience and determination, despite the odds he faces. Further on, Weller describes the man as a knight on a knackered stallion, with undervalued rusty armor. Yet, he is still a reason, and though he may be asleep, he's never gone.
The song ends with a call to action, urging people to take a stance and make a change. The lyrics "From tiny acorns grow all kinds of seekers, and where are they meant to go but fly away, high away" highlight the potential for growth and positive transformation, even in the smallest of actions.
Overall, "He's the Keeper" is a touching and poignant song that speaks to the universal desire for love, hope, and transformation in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
He's the keeper of the lantern
He holds a guiding light for others to follow in their journey
Stone believer, it's a passion
He strongly believes in his mission and it fuels his drive
And he knows it, he's the keeper
He's aware of his role and he takes it seriously
Hanging wishes up upon our stars
He hopes to fulfill people's dreams and aspirations
He waits for love
He patiently waits for someone who shares his vision and passion
Yes, he waits for love
He's hopeful that love will eventually come and join him in his journey
Flying without a hand
He's facing challenges without much support or assistance
Trying to brave the land
He's determined to face whatever obstacles come his way
Something about the man
There's an inexplicable quality in him that inspires others
Is about to make a stand
He's ready to take a stand for what he believes in
With nothing but liars and thieves
He faces deceitful and unethical people who challenge his principles
Trying to purchase thee
They attempt to buy his loyalty or compromise his values
Where are you meant to go?
He wonders where the path will take him and if it's the right one
Fly away, high away
He urges himself to soar high and follow his dreams
He's the one knight on a knackered stallion
He's like a lone warrior on a weary steed, still fighting the good fight
His rusty armour so undervalued
His flaws and imperfections are overlooked or unappreciated by others
Does he know that he's a reason
He may not realize that he's the inspiration for others to follow him
He's asleep now but never gone
He may be temporarily inactive, but he's still alive and present
Hanging without a cloud
Despite the uncertainties and risks, he's still aiming high
Hoping to draw a crowd
He wishes to rally people to join him in his mission
If he's willing to take a chance
If he's brave enough to step out of his comfort zone
Come on people, make a stance
He invites others to join him and take a stand for what they believe in
From tiny acorns grow
Big things can come from small beginnings
All kinds of seekers
People of all types search for their purpose and meaning in life
And where are they meant go
Everyone faces the uncertainty of their future path
But fly away, high away
The only way is to take a risk and reach for the skies
In the maelstrom of indecision
In the midst of confusion and doubt
Shine believer find the season
He encourages himself to have faith and find the right timing and opportunity
He helped to grow it, he's the keeper
He contributed to the growth of the movement or cause he's passionate about
We wait for love
Others who share his passion also long for companionship and unity
Yes, we wait for love
They're hopeful that love and common purpose will bring them together
He's the message in the midnight of your madness
He's the beacon of hope or inspiration in others' darkest moments
In the backlog of conversations
In the neglected or postponed talks and discussions
We never had
Issues or ideas that remained unaddressed or unresolved
Yes, you wait for love
He addresses the listener directly, encouraging them to wait and hope for love to arrive
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind