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.
Pink on White Walls
Paul Weller Lyrics
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And the trees stood so tall
Defiant, proud and loud against the sky.
There's no sign, there's no plan
There ain't even a helping hand
Just the bitter tang of sweet virtue.
Don't waste your time,
Life is but a moment, you can't wait,
Go and have your fun,
Go and lose your mind,
But can you get back to the ones you left behind?
When it comes, it comes quick!
An' when you're least expecting it
But the top's the bottom, an' the bottom is all you got.
The sun shone pink on my wall
And the trees stand so tall
I'm empty now, but funny how,
Defiant, proud and loud against the sky.
In "Pink on White Walls," Paul Weller appears to be offering a commentary on the fleeting nature of life and the need to live it fully without regrets. With an opening line of "The sun shone pink on white walls," he sets a dreamy and somewhat surrealistic tone, suggesting that beauty can be found in even the most ordinary things, such as walls and trees. Weller then contrasts this idyllic scene with the harsh realities of life, singing, "There's no sign, there's no plan, there ain't even a helping hand, just the bitter tang of sweet virtue." He seems to be saying that despite the beauty around us, life is random and often difficult, but we can still make the most of it by embracing the moment and enjoying ourselves while we can.
The second part of the song offers a warning against getting too caught up in the pursuit of pleasure at the expense of our connections to others. Weller sings, "Go and have your fun, go and lose your mind, but can you get back to the ones you left behind?" This suggests that while it's important to live life to the fullest, we should also be mindful of how our actions affect those around us. The final lines of the song seem to offer a bit of hope, however, as Weller notes that even in his emptiness, he still feels a sense of pride and defiance against the sky.
Overall, "Pink on White Walls" is a meditation on the complexities of life and the need to find balance between our own desires and our obligations to others. It's a reminder that we only have one chance to live our lives, so we should make the most of it while being mindful of the consequences of our actions.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun shone pink on white walls
The beauty and warmth of life is shining down and illuminating everything around us.
And the trees stood so tall
Nature stands tall and strong despite the chaos and uncertainty of the world.
Defiant, proud and loud against the sky.
Nature stands as a symbol of defiance and pride against the vast unknown that is the sky.
There's no sign, there's no plan
Life sometimes seems directionless and without purpose or guidance.
There ain't even a helping hand
No one is there to offer assistance or support in times of need.
Just the bitter tang of sweet virtue.
Even when we strive for something good and pure, there can be a bitter taste or negative consequence.
Don't waste your time,
Time is valuable and fleeting, so make the most of every moment.
Don't hesitate,
Don't let fear or indecision hold you back from taking risks and pursuing your dreams.
Life is but a moment, you can't wait,
Life is short and unpredictable, so don't put off living until tomorrow.
Go and have your fun,
Enjoy life and take pleasure in the experiences it offers.
Go and lose your mind,
Let yourself be immersed in the moment and forget about your worries or inhibitions.
But can you get back to the ones you left behind?
Don't forget about the people who love and support you, and make sure you are able to return to them after your adventures.
When it comes, it comes quick!
Life can change very suddenly and without warning.
An' when you're least expected it
The biggest changes or challenges often arise when we are unprepared or least expecting them.
But the top's the bottom, an' the bottom is all you got.
Life can be a topsy-turvy and unpredictable journey, and we must learn to make the best of whatever comes our way.
The sun shone pink on my wall
Despite the ups and downs, there is still beauty and warmth in everyday life.
And the trees stand so tall
Nature remains a steadfast and reliable presence in an uncertain world.
I'm empty now, but funny how,
Even when we feel empty or lost, life has a way of surprising us and filling us up again.
Defiant, proud and loud against the sky.
Like nature, we can stand with defiance, pride, and strength against the uncertainties of the world.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind