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.
Oh Happy Day
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh happy day
Oh happy happy day,
Oh happy day
When Jesus washed
Oh when he washed
When Jesus washed
He washed my sins away!
Oh happy day
Oh happy day
Oh happy day
Oh happy day
When Jesus washed
Oh when he washed
When Jesus washed
He washed my sins away!
Oh happy day
Oh happy day
He taught me how
He taught me
Taught me how to watch
He taught me how to watch
and fight and pray
fight and pray
yes, fight and pray
And he'll rejoice
and He'll, and He'll
rejoice in things we say
and He'll rejoicing things we say
things we say
yes, things we say
Oh happy day,
Oh happy day
Oh happy day,
Oh happy day
Oh happy day
Oh happy day
Oh happy day,
Oh happy day
When Jesus washed
Oh when he washed
He washed my sins away
He taught me how
to watch, fight and pray
fight and pray
Oh happy day,
Oh happy day
When Jesus washed
Oh when he washed
He washed my sins away
We'll live rejoicing
ev'ry day, ev'ry day
Oh happy day,
Oh happy day
When Jesus washed
Oh when he washed
He washed my sins away
The song "Oh Happy Day" by Paul Weller is a gospel-inspired song that speaks of the joy and elation one experiences when their sins are washed away by Jesus. The repetition of the phrase "oh happy day" throughout the song emphasizes the feeling of happiness and contentment that is brought on by this spiritual cleansing. The lyrics are very straightforward and easy to understand, with a simple message of redemption through faith.
The second verse of the song speaks of Jesus teaching the singer how to "watch, fight, and pray," which emphasizes the importance of living a righteous and virtuous life. These teachings are closely associated with the Christian faith and reflect the idea that living a good life and staying close to God is the key to happiness and salvation. The final lines of the song are a declaration of a newfound joy and a life lived with a renewed sense of purpose and meaning, thanks to Jesus washing away the singer's sins.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh happy day
Expressing happiness about an event
Oh happy happy day,
Reiterating happiness about an event
When Jesus washed
Referring to the moment when Jesus cleansed one's sins
He washed my sins away!
Confirming that Jesus has cleansed one's sins
He taught me
Referring to Jesus teaching the ways of life and spirituality
Taught me how to watch
Teaching one to be aware of their surroundings
And he'll rejoice in things we say
Suggesting Jesus takes delight in hearing his followers speak positively
things we say
Reaffirming that Jesus finds joy from his followers' spoken remarks
We'll live rejoicing ev'ry day, ev'ry day
Implying joy can be found every day, encouraging followers to celebrate life
Lyrics © DistroKid, RAOUL BRETON EDITIONS, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edwin Hawkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind