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.
News of the World
Paul Weller Lyrics
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Power, power, pop, pop
I read about the things that happen
Throughout the World
But don't believe in everything you see or hear
The neighbours talk day in, day out
About the goings on
They don't give an inch
Look at the pictures taken by the cameras
They cannot lie
The truth is in
What you see
Not what you read
Little men tapping things out
Points of view
Remember their views
Are not the gospel truth
Don't believe it all
Find out for yourself
Check before you spread
News of the World
News of the World
Never doubt
Never ask
Never moan
Never search
Never find
Never know
News of the World
News of the World
Each morning our key to the world
Comes through the door
More than often it's just a comic
Not much more
Don't take it too serious
Not many do
Read between the lines
And you'll find the truth
Read all about it
Read all about it
News of the World
News of the World
Read all about it
Read all about it
News of the World
News of the World
The song "News of the World" by Paul Weller is a commentary on the state of media and the way in which people consume news. Throughout the song, he urges the listener to be wary of what they read, watch, and hear from the media, as it is not always truthful. Weller begins by acknowledging the widespread availability of news, stating that he reads about things that happen around the world, but immediately warns against believing everything one sees or hears.
The lyrics then move on to address the role of neighbors and citizens as amateur news sources. Weller asserts that they often speak without full knowledge or context, and tell us only what they want to, at times obstinately. He then shifts focus to the media itself, claiming that the pictures taken by cameras cannot lie, but also emphasizing that the truth is in what we see, not just what we read.
Finally, Weller urges his listeners to be skeptical and to read between the lines, insisting that the news we consume is not always the gospel truth. He warns against apathy, encouraging people to search for the truth themselves before spreading misleading news.
Overall, Paul Weller's "News of the World" is a cautionary tale about the importance of critical thinking when consuming news, stressing the importance of skepticism and research so that people are not misinformed by the media.
Line by Line Meaning
Power
This line serves as an introduction to the theme of the song, which is the influence of the media in shaping our perception of the world.
Power, power, pop, pop
This phrase is repeated to create a catchy rhythm without a clear meaning.
I read about the things that happen Throughout the World
The singer acknowledges that he is aware of current events happening around the world.
But don't believe in everything you see or hear
The artist advises against blindly believing everything that is reported in the news.
The neighbours talk day in, day out About the goings on They tell us what they want They don't give an inch
The artist notes that people around him consistently gossip about current events to push their own agendas without compromise.
Look at the pictures taken by the cameras They cannot lie The truth is in What you see Not what you read
The singer says that photographs are more trustworthy than written reports because they cannot be manipulated.
Little men tapping things out Points of view Remember their views Are not the gospel truth
The singer warns that journalists and commentators are subjective and their opinions should not be accepted as the ultimate truth.
Don't believe it all Find out for yourself Check before you spread News of the World News of the World
The artist insists that before sharing news with others, one should verify the facts from a trustworthy source.
Never doubt Never ask Never moan Never search Never find Never know News of the World News of the World
The artist sarcastically lists negative actions that people should never take in order to emphasize the importance of seeking the truth for oneself.
Each morning our key to the world Comes through the door More than often it's just a comic Not much more
The artist implies that popular newspapers are often light on facts and more about entertainment.
Don't take it too serious Not many do Read between the lines And you'll find the truth
The singer suggests that we should not take tabloids too seriously because they are often sensationalized, and one should look beyond the headlines to understand the real story.
Read all about it Read all about it News of the World News of the World
The chorus encourages people to read and educate themselves but warns about the influence of the media and its potential biases.
Read all about it Read all about it News of the World News of the World
This line is a repeated chorus that emphasizes the importance of being an informed citizen and not taking the news at face value.
Writer(s): Foxton Bruce Douglas
Contributed by Micah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.