Weller's eleventh studio album, Sonik Kicks, was released on 19 March 2012. The Green Songfacts reports that it was recorded in Wellerโs 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 โ 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.
Out of the Sinking
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll wait for your love, but I close my eyes
As there's pain, too in paradise
Dear brothers
Hey baby say, that's what you're thinking
Know, I know it
Yea, feel I'm sinkin', know I feel it
I know you feel it too
Across the water, there's a boat that
Will take us away
Yeah, yeah, yeah
It is shining for me
All I needed to be
But I can't find the key
But to make me believe
Late at night, the world is dreaming
Way past the stars, and ignore our fate
All twinkle too late to save us
Save ourselves
Hey baby do just what you're thinking
Know, I know it, yea, if I'm sinking
Know I feel it, I know you feel it too
Across the water, there's a boat that
Will take us away
Out of the sadness
Far from the madness
Into sunlight, out of the sinkin'
Know I feel it, I know you're feelin' too
Across the water, there's a boat that
Will take us away
There we will stay
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Hey
I can't find the key
The lyrics of Paul Weller's "Out of the Sinking" reflect a sense of disillusionment with the world and a longing for something more. The opening lines convey a sense of anticipation, but also a feeling of being held back. The singer is waiting for love, but at the same time, acknowledging a sense of pain that exists even in paradise. The use of the phrase "Dear brothers" seems to suggest a sense of solidarity with others who are experiencing the same feelings.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly aware of his sinking feeling. He senses that his love interest is feeling the same way, and he longs for a way out. The image of a boat across the water symbolizes a means of escape, a way to leave behind the sadness and madness of the world and find a new life in the sunlight.
Line by Line Meaning
Past midnight's hold, the world's awaiting
The world is waiting in anticipation during the late hours of the night
I'll wait for your love, but I close my eyes
I'll patiently wait for your love while shutting out the world
As there's pain, too in paradise
Even paradise can hold pain and difficulties
Dear brothers
Addressing fellow men, as brothers in humanity
Hey baby say, that's what you're thinking
Suggesting communication of honest thoughts and feelings
Know, I know it
Acknowledgment of understanding and empathy
Yea, feel I'm sinkin', know I feel it
Admitting feelings of despair and struggle
I know you feel it too
Reaching out in solidarity, knowing others feel the same
Across the water, there's a boat that
Will take us away
Yeah, yeah, yeah
There's a possibility of escape or a new beginning in a distant place
It is shining for me
All I needed to be
But I can't find the key
But to make me believe
Although a promising future seems within reach, belief and motivation are lacking
Late at night, the world is dreaming
Way past the stars, and ignore our fate
All twinkle too late to save us
Save ourselves
People are lost in their own dreams and ignoring the state of the world, making it difficult to save ourselves
Out of the sadness
Far from the madness
Into sunlight, out of the sinkin'
Know I feel it, I know you're feelin' too
Across the water, there's a boat that
Will take us away
There we will stay
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Escaping the sorrow and chaos for a brighter future across the water, where we can finally rest and find peace
Hey
I can't find the key
Expressing the inability to find hope or purpose, searching for a way forward
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Julian Vickery
Late at night
When the world is dreaming
Way past the stars
That ignore our fate & all twinkle too late to save us
So we save ourselves
Hey baby say - just what youโre thinking
Know I know it - yeh, feel Iโm sinking
Know I feel it - I know you feel it too
Across the water, thereโs a boat that
Will take us away
Far from the madness - out of the sadness
Into sunlight - out of the sinking
You know I feel it
I know you it too
Across the water, thereโs a boat that will take us away
And there we will stay
"Out of the Sinking" by Paul Weller, track 9 from his third solo album "Stanley Road" (Go! Discs, 1995) https://youtu.be/Ih4Zj-YNNvs
(Great song by the way, and even better heard live.)
Mikey
song is helping me through some dark times. love Weller
Wes A
This song helped me through a rough patch not heard it in awhile cheers Weller
Juney jones
Just the modfather doing what he does best ๐๐ผ
Wicom
I keep seeing this word...what does it mean .. modfather?
Claire Havard
Iv had the pleasure to meet him a few times, been on the guest list, sat up drinking with the band, and will be seeing him again soon and luckily enough to go backstage xx
BigGinUAE
@wellwell1212 Paul Weller has never ever been underrated throughout his whole career, Jam, Style Council or solo! He is a magical musician - one of the best on the planet!
Claire Havard
Iv seen him untold times, had the pleasure of meeting him, sat up drinking with the band till 5 in the morning, got photos somewhere, and been on the guest list in Italy, thanks to Steve cradock, will be meeting up with them all very soon and going backstage lucky me โบ๏ธ
Sinclair 15
Cool as fuck. Absolute legend on every musical level known to man. And you can't argue with that.
ladycplum
One of Weller's most soulful songs
chris munnelly
Absolutely ๐