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.
I Didn't Mean to Hurt You
Paul Weller Lyrics
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Adding flickers to the flame
How I've treated you
I take the blame
But let me say, that they don't know
The really don't know, the fools don't know
That I really didn't mean to hurt you.
Oh darling, I didn't mean to hurt you
Whatever they tell you
There's more I could say
Lending motion to the wheel
How you built me up
When I was falling down
But who knows, you just might find
Just might find, that I'm just your kind
And I really didn't mean to hurt you.
And tho' I was looking there for something
Some things have no meaning
While I was looking there for something
Everything had gone
And still as I looked, I lived
And still as I lived, I wondered.
In this song, Paul Weller is apologizing to his lover. He acknowledges that other people have been talking about how he has treated her poorly, and he takes responsibility for his actions. He wants to make it clear that he did not intend to hurt her, despite any rumors that may be circulating. Weller sings to his lover, pleading with her to believe him and forgive him for any pain he has caused.
The lyrics of this song display a deep sense of regret and sorrow, with Weller expressing remorse for the hurt he has caused. He also acknowledges the importance of his lover and how she helped him when he was struggling. The lines "How you built me up/When I was falling down" show that he recognizes the significant impact she has had on his life. However, he is unsure if she will forgive him and notes that "some things have no meaning" and "everything had gone" amidst his search for something more.
Line by Line Meaning
I've heard them all talking I guess you have too
I am aware that people have been gossiping about us, and I assume you are as well.
Adding flickers to the flame
Their talk is only making matters worse and adding unnecessary drama.
How I've treated you
I acknowledge that I have not treated you well.
I take the blame
I accept responsibility for my actions and the hurt I may have caused you.
But let me say, that they don't know
However, it's important to understand that those gossiping do not understand our relationship.
The really don't know, the fools don't know
They are ignorant and misguided in their assumptions.
That I really didn't mean to hurt you.
My actions were not intended to cause you pain.
Oh darling, I didn't mean to hurt you
My affection for you is genuine, and I am sorry for any hurt I may have caused.
Please believe me when I say, that I didn't mean to hurt you girl.
I hope you can trust and believe me when I say that my intentions were never to cause you pain.
Whatever they tell you
Regardless of what others may say about me, there is more to the story.
There's more I could say
I have more to say on this matter but am choosing to keep it to myself for now.
Lending motion to the wheel
Their talk is only stirring up strife and not helping the situation.
How you built me up
You have been a source of strength and support for me.
When I was falling down
During a time when I was struggling, you were there for me.
But who knows, you just might find
There is a possibility that you will come to realize that we are right for each other.
Just might find, that I'm just your kind
You may discover that we are a good match.
And I really didn't mean to hurt you.
My actions were not intended to cause you pain.
And tho' I was looking there for something
Even though I may have been searching for something, it does not excuse my behavior.
Some things have no meaning
Some things in life do not have a clear purpose or explanation.
While I was looking there for something
During the time I was searching, I may have made some mistakes in my actions and treatment of you.
Everything had gone
Things may have fallen apart during this search, leaving us in this difficult situation.
And still as I looked, I lived
Despite my mistakes, I continue to carry on with my life.
And still as I lived, I wondered.
However, I am still left with questions and uncertainties about my actions and their consequences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind