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.
Tales From The Riverbank
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where we ran when we were young
This is a tale from the water meadows
Trying to spread some hope into your heart
It's mixed with happiness, it's mixed with tears
Both life a death are carried in this stream
That open space you could run for miles
Now you don't get so many to the pound
True it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to
That I'll always run to
Won't you join me by the riverbank
Paradise found down by the still waters
Joined in the race to the rainbow's end
No fears no worries just a golden country
Woke at sunrise, went home at sunset
Now life is so critical, life is too cynical
We lose our innocence, we lose our very soul
True it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to
That I'll always run to
True it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to
That I always run to
Won't you join me by the riverbank
Come on and join me by the riverbank
The song "Tales From The Riverbank" by Paul Weller is all about reminiscing on the happy memories of the past and the innocence of childhood. Weller wants to bring a tale from the pastel fields where he and his friends would run in their younger years. It's a story from the water meadows which he hopes will spread hope into people's hearts. Life and death are carried in the stream, mixed with happiness and tears. The song talks about the open space where they could run for miles, but now you don't get so many to the pound.
The song is reflective of Weller's nostalgia of running free as a kid and enjoying life without any fears or worries. In the present, life is too critical and cynical, as people lose their innocence and their soul. However, Weller wants to always hang onto the dream mixed with nostalgia. He wants others to join him by the riverbank, where paradise can be found down by the still waters. There are no fears or worries, just a golden country. The sunrise and sunset mark the beginning and end of the day, creating a peaceful and idyllic atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Bring you a tale from the pastel fields
I have a story to share about a time when everything was peaceful and idyllic.
Where we ran when we were young
This is a place where we frolicked and played when we were carefree children.
This is a tale from the water meadows
The story I'm about to tell takes place in the lush and verdant fields near the river.
Trying to spread some hope into your heart
I hope that in sharing this story, I can inject a bit of positivity into your outlook on life.
It's mixed with happiness, it's mixed with tears
This story has both joyful and sorrowful elements.
Both life a death are carried in this stream
The river that flows through these fields is a metaphor for the circle of life, encompassing both birth and demise.
That open space you could run for miles
The vast expanse of these fields allowed us to run and play without constraint.
Now you don't get so many to the pound
Sadly, these types of open, expansive fields are becoming harder and harder to come by.
True it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
I recognize that my memories of this place are tinged with idealism and longing.
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to
Nonetheless, I will always cherish and remember this place with fondness.
That I'll always run to
Whenever I need a mental escape, I will return to this magical place in my mind.
Won't you join me by the riverbank
I invite you to sit with me by the river and share this experience of tranquility and nostalgia.
Paradise found down by the still waters
This location was a slice of paradise, especially near the peaceful still waters of the river.
Joined in the race to the rainbow's end
When we were young, we felt like we were chasing after some fantastical goal, like catching a rainbow.
No fears no worries just a golden country
We felt completely carefree and unburdened in this idyllic place.
Woke at sunrise, went home at sunset
Our days were simple and structured only by the natural cycles of the sun and the river's flow.
Now life is so critical, life is too cynical
Unfortunately, the world has become more complex and jaded, making it harder to find moments of true peace and joy.
We lose our innocence, we lose our very soul
As we grow older and life becomes more complicated, we can easily lose our sense of childlike wonder and connection to the world around us.
Come on and join me by the riverbank
Once more, I extend an invitation for you to come and experience this place of nostalgia and tranquility with me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind