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.
Shout To The Top
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And as the rain came down, I dropped to my knees and prayed
I said oh heavenly thing, please cleanse my soul,
I've seen all on offer and I'm not impressed at all.
I was halfway home, I was half insane,
And every shop window I looked in just looked the same
I said send me a sign to save my life
These days of mine
Yes its a frightening thing when it dawns upon you
That I know as much as the day I was born
And though I wasn't asked (I might as well stay)
And promise myself each and every day, that,
When you're knocked on your back, an your life's a flop
And when you're down on the bottom there's nothing else
But to shout to the top, shout!
The first verse of Paul Weller’s “Shout to the Top” starts with imagery of being half in mind and half in need. The singer drops to their knees in the rain and prays for a celestial thing to cleanse their soul. The character is tired of all the things life is offering and is feeling unimpressed. The second verse identifies the singer as being halfway home and halfway insane. The character feels like nothing in the world is certain, and they need a sign to save their life.
The chorus takes a motivational turn as the singer declares that when you feel knocked down and your life is a flop, the only option is to shout to the top. The singer is urging listeners to keep pushing, to keep striving to succeed, despite any setbacks they may face.
The song is an anthem about perseverance and hope in times of distress. It encourages the listener to keep fighting and pushing forward despite setbacks and challenges. The repetition of “shout to the top” throughout the song serves as a mantra for the listener to hold onto during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
I was half in mind, I was half in need,
I was uncertain, with some desires unanswered,
And as the rain came down, I dropped to my knees and prayed
When things got worse, I pleaded for help.
I said oh heavenly thing, please cleanse my soul,
I begged God to purify my mind,
I've seen all on offer and I'm not impressed at all.
Despite all my attempts, they didn't appeal to me.
I was halfway home, I was half insane,
I was reaching near but losing my mental balance,
And every shop window I looked in just looked the same
I realized that material things were becoming monotonous,
I said send me a sign to save my life
I prayed for a signal that could alter my life
Cause at this moment in time there is nothing certain in These days of mine
As of now, I've no assurance in my foreseeable future.
Yes its a frightening thing when it dawns upon you
It's scary when reality hits you that,
That I know as much as the day I was born
I'm still unknowledgeable as the day I was born,
And though I wasn't asked (I might as well stay)
Although no one requested me, I kept myself occupied,
And promise myself each and every day, that,
I ensure myself every day that,
When you're knocked on your back, an your life's a flop
When you're shattered and life is a failure,
And when you're down on the bottom there's nothing else
When you're at the lowest and have nothing else,
But to shout to the top, shout!
You should strive to reach the top and raise your voice.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind