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.
Long Time
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I couldn't find myself
(For such a long time)
Thought I was somebody else
(For such a long time)
I couldn't find no peace
For such a long time, long time
(For such a long time)
I couldn't place the mood
(For such a long time)
My feet did not fit my shoes
(For such a long time)
I had dem urban blues
For such a long time, long time
For such a long time, long time
For such a long time, long time
(For such a long time)
I felt so lost and confused
(For such a long time)
I only wanted to lose
(For such a long time)
There was no way I'd refuse
For such a long time, long time
For such a long time, long time
For such a long time, long time
For such a long time, long time, long time, long time
The lyrics to Paul Weller's song 'Long Time' convey a sense of struggle, confusion and disconnection. The repeated phrase "For such a long time" emphasizes the enduring nature of these feelings, the sense that the singer has been lost and unfulfilled for an extended period. The lines "I couldn't find myself" and "Thought I was somebody else" suggest a lack of identity or a desire to be someone else, perhaps to escape the challenges of the present situation. The idea that "my feet did not fit my shoes" reinforces this sense of a disconnect between self and environment.
The phrase "dem urban blues" speaks to the idea that these feelings are not just personal, but also connected to larger social and cultural forces. The singer is not alone in feeling lost or disconnected, but is instead part of a broader community struggling with similar issues. The final lines suggest that the singer has accepted this state of being for a long time, and perhaps even become resigned to it. However, the repetition of "long time" also hints at the possibility of change, of finding a way out of this state of mind and into something more fulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
(For such a long time)
For a significant amount of time
I couldn't find myself
I was struggling to discover who I really am
(For such a long time)
For an extended period
Thought I was somebody else
I believed I was a different person entirely
(For such a long time)
For a prolonged duration
I couldn't find no peace
I was unable to attain tranquility
For such a long time, long time
This has gone on for what feels like an eternity
(For such a long time)
For a considerable length of time
I couldn't place the mood
I couldn't pinpoint how I was feeling
(For such a long time)
For a substantial amount of time
My feet did not fit my shoes
I felt uncomfortable and out of place in my own skin
(For such a long time)
For an extended period of time
I had dem urban blues
I was experiencing a deep sadness and despair
For such a long time, long time
This had been going on for far too long
For such a long time, long time
This felt like an endless cycle
For such a long time, long time
This was an ongoing struggle
(For such a long time)
For a protracted period
I felt so lost and confused
I was incredibly disoriented and perplexed
(For such a long time)
For a significant duration
I only wanted to lose
I had given up hope and just wanted to fade away
(For such a long time)
For an extensive amount of time
There was no way I'd refuse
I felt powerless to resist the struggle
For such a long time, long time
This dragged on interminably
For such a long time, long time
This seemed to never come to an end
For such a long time, long time, long time, long time
This lasted for an eternity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chrisbacos
Another reason I like the modfather. Great variety in his work and never afraid to try anything.
@errorgorilla
He's amazing. Weller keeps pushing forward, always into new areas. Some I like, some it takes time but always I respect his need for the new.
@GaryTrudgett
Great song. Watched Weller live at Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday night. Great gig and the new stuff sounds amazing, especially White Sky. Looking forward to hearing Saturn's Pattern on the 18th May
@jonmorr777
Loving this track Mr Weller
@tommymaguire3605
Love the new vocal sound and damn....those guitars look killer.
@Cosmos3001
About Time another kick ass Paul Weller Album! Loved Sonik Kicks and been with Paul since Style Council Internationalists! Met him in Cincinnati Ohio recently on his last tour. This album came out of the blue, just found out about it and I'm stoked! Hells Yeah! Been Such A Long Time! Not! So glad Not so!
@chrisbacos
Paul just keeps on coming never afraid to explore new territories.
@rwffmusic
The greatest man alive.
@alanm3732
Has moved on from the JAM, but essences there!! Love its!!
@TheMisterMonkeyman
Damn, Weller just won't stop! I'm with you Paul, keep movin'. Still enjoying the journey. Peace.