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.
Speak Like A Child
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're a bonafide in every respect
You are walking through streets that mean nothing to you
You believe you're above it and I don't really blame you
Maybe that's why you speak like a child;
The things you're saying like I'm so free and so wild
And I believe it when you look in my eyes;
You offer me a life, and never lies
Your clothes are clean and your mind is productive
It shops in store where only the best buy
You're cool and hard, and if I sound like a lecher
It's probably true,
But at least there's no lecture
I really like it when you speak like a child
The crazy sayings like I'm so free and so wild
You have to make a bargain with me now
A promise that you won't change somehow
No way, now how
Spent all day thinking about you
Spent all night coming to terms with it
Time and conditions are built to tame
Nothing lasts with age, so people say
But I will always try to feel the same
I really like it when you speak like a child
I really like it when you speak like a child
The way you hate the homely rank and the file
The way you're so proud to be oh, so free and so wild
I really like it when you speak like a child
I really like it when you speak like a child
I really like it when you speak like a child
The way you're so proud to be oh, so free and so wild
The lyrics of Paul Weller's song "Speak Like A Child" convey a sense of admiration and attraction towards a person who is portrayed as confident and self-assured. The singer suggests that this person is above the mundane aspects of life, such as the streets they are walking through, and that they speak with a childlike innocence and freedom. The singer seems captivated by their confidence, demonstrated by the repeated refrain "I really like it when you speak like a child."
The song suggests that this person is successful, with clean clothes and a productive mind, shopping only for the best. They are described as cool and hard, and the singer admits that they may sound like a lecher in appreciating this person's qualities. However, the repeated refrain suggests that the singer is deeply drawn to this person and their carefree spirit. The lines "A promise that you won't change somehow, No way, now how" suggest that the singer wants this person to remain true to themselves and never lose their confidence and innocence, as they find it so appealing.
Overall, the song seems to celebrate the beauty in being unencumbered by societal norms and dictates. The person being described is confident, successful, and free-spirited, and they speak with an innocence and wisdom beyond their years. Through their admiration for this person, the singer suggests that they also aspire to this kind of freedom and authenticity.
Line by Line Meaning
Your hair hangs in golden steps
Your hair is styled beautifully and falls elegantly
You're a bonafide in every respect
You are genuine and authentic in every way
You are walking through streets that mean nothing to you
You are traveling through unfamiliar and unimportant places
You believe you're above it and I don't really blame you
You think you are better than it, and I don't blame you for feeling that way
Maybe that's why you speak like a child;
Maybe that's why you talk in a carefree manner;
The things you're saying like I'm so free and so wild
The things you say, like 'I am carefree and adventurous'
And I believe it when you look in my eyes;
I trust you when you gaze into my eyes
You offer me a life, and never lies
You promise me a truthful and fulfilling life
Least only the kind to make me smile
At the very least, the lies you tell are the ones that bring a smile to my face
Your clothes are clean and your mind is productive
Your dress and physical appearance is impeccable and your thinking is productive
It shops in store where only the best buy
You shop only in the stores that sell the best products
You're cool and hard, and if I sound like a lecher
You're composed and resilient, and if I sound like a pervert
It's probably true,
It's most likely true
But at least there's no lecture
At least you don't lecture me about it
I really like it when you speak like a child
I enjoy it when you speak in a carefree, uninhibited manner
The crazy sayings like I'm so free and so wild
The nonsensical things you say, like 'I am carefree and adventurous'
You have to make a bargain with me now
You need to make a compromise with me now
A promise that you won't change somehow
A commitment that you won't change in any way
No way, now how
Absolutely not
Spent all day thinking about you
I spent the entire day thinking about you
Spent all night coming to terms with it
I spent all night accepting the reality of the situation
Time and conditions are built to tame
The inevitability of time and circumstances will eventually make us conform
Nothing lasts with age, so people say
They say that nothing can last forever, especially with age
But I will always try to feel the same
But I will try to maintain the same feelings and emotions
The way you hate the homely rank and the file
The way you despise ordinary, common people
The way you're so proud to be oh, so free and so wild
The way you take pride in being carefree and adventurous
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KeithWilliamMacHendry
The most uplifting song of my early twenties, I still adore this song 40 years later, though now I'm 63 not 23, it still however, lifts the soul. Mr Weller is The Master. ♥
@peterchambers2553
One of the purest sounding pop songs of the 1980s. Always puts me in a happy mood whenever I hear this track.
@briankennedy1192
The way you say that to me your so free and so wild"
@newportmike8519
Graduated high school in 83 in southern Cal and went to college just outside of San Francisco when the city was cool and happening. Listening to this song brings back super dense memories of long ago girl friends, the loss of friends, having fun in the city, seeing bands live and all the wonderful things of the 80s. So much has changed and I see the time in my face but I know we will all be ok. Many dear blessings everyone..
@joelewing4498
+newportmike8519: What a great post you just laid down, Mike. You write exactly like I do. I'll bet you've run across my posts somewhere in music vids before in YTube. I'm an old Arizona Boomer.....grad. high school in '73. LIke you.....we tore it up back in the day. I'm obviously an old rocker......still got that hard stoner-desert rock loving soul.....but for some odd reason these Style Council guys kind of grew on me. You can bet I NEVER would have given them a listen until now......oh my dear God no. Maybe because they've got a kickin' bass line in here, and it's all upbeat.....not syrupy-dreary-melancholy like so many bands tried to convince us they were when this genre came out in the 80's. Anyhow.....remember......he'll knock.....but don't let "the old man in "......kick his ass down the line! Keep making new memories with your dear old buds who are still in your sphere. God Bless us all......joelintucson
@andycuthbert2763
Paul really is one of the best musicians the UK has produced. His talent appears to be limitless!
@Euadam
Despite the fact that he rips of most of his stuff from other people more talented. This song included (Brinsley Schwartz - Surrender to the Rhythm).
@ashleyvences-calderon6023
i've only recently gotten into the style council and it's brought me a lot of joy in these rather drab gray winter days ... i don't think I can listen to them and not be in a good mood
@hunterbennett3591
for real happiest music ever i love paul weller
@ashleysowden5844
tune xx