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.
Talk Tonight
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chewin' on a bone
A thousand million miles from home
When something hit me
Somewhere right between the eyes
Sleepin' on a plane
You know you can't complain
I landed stranded
Hardly even knew your name
I want to talk tonight
Until the mornin' light
'Bout how you saved my life
You and me see how we are
You and me see how we are
All your dreams are made
Of strawberry lemonade
And you make sure I eat today
You take me walking
To where you played when you were young
I'll never say that
I won't ever make you cry
And this I'll say I don't know why
I know I'm leavin'
But I'll be back another day
I want to talk tonight
Until the mornin' light
'Bout how you saved my life
(You saved my life)
I want to talk tonight
(I want to talk tonight)
'Bout how you saved my life
(I want to talk tonight)
'Bout how you saved my life
(I want to talk tonight)
'Bout how you saved my life
(I want to talk tonight)
'Bout how you saved my life
(I want to talk tonight) (4x)
The song "Talk Tonight" opens with a scene of the singer sitting alone, isolated from everyone, chewing on a bone, and feeling a million miles away from home. However, as if out of nowhere, something hits him, and it strikes him right between the eyes, signaling a personal revelation. The following verse finds the singer on a plane, hardly even knowing the name of the person next to him. Although there is no one to complain to, he experiences a feeling of being stranded, which speaks to the universal experience of loneliness and feeling disconnected from others.
In the chorus, the singer expresses an urgent desire to talk to someone about how they saved his life. This request shows that the singer recognizes the importance of having someone who will listen and support him. He also reflects on the sweetness of life and how sometimes, it is the simplest things, such as strawberry lemonade, that make all the difference. The lyrics portray the idea that love and connection are the foundations of a meaningful life. The song, therefore, gives a powerful message of hope and connection in our ever-increasingly isolated society.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' on my own
Sitting alone in a state of contemplation and deep thought.
Chewin' on a bone
Lost in thought, with something to occupy the mind.
A thousand million miles from home
Feeling far away from home, both physically and emotionally.
When something hit me
Having an epiphany or realization that changes one's perspective.
Somewhere right between the eyes
The realization was profound and hit the person with great force.
Sleepin' on a plane
Traveling to a new location, possibly to escape or start fresh.
You know you can't complain
Accepting one's circumstances and making the most out of them.
You took your last chance once again
Making a risky decision that could change one's life forever.
I landed stranded
Ending up in an unexpected situation with nowhere to turn.
Hardly even knew your name
Meeting someone new and unknown, with little background information.
I want to talk tonight
Expressing a strong desire to communicate deeply and openly with someone.
Until the mornin' light
Continuing the conversation for hours, until the sun rises.
'Bout how you saved my life
Grateful for the other person's influence and support in a difficult time.
You and me see how we are
Acknowledging the unique connection and understanding between two individuals.
All your dreams are made
Describing someone as being very optimistic, with lofty goals and aspirations.
Of strawberry lemonade
Symbolic of the sweet, refreshing nature of the person's dreams and goals.
And you make sure I eat today
Caring for and nurturing the other person, in a practical and emotional sense.
You take me walking
Leading the other person on a journey of self-discovery and exploration.
To where you played when you were young
Sharing one's childhood memories and experiences, to establish a deeper connection.
I'll never say that
Promising not to do something, even though it may be difficult or painful.
I won't ever make you cry
Ensuring that the other person won't be hurt or upset by one's actions or words.
And this I'll say I don't know why
Admitting that there are some things that can't be explained or understood.
I know I'm leavin'
Being aware of the inevitability of change and transition.
But I'll be back another day
Assuring the other person that there will be a reunion or return, in the future.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NOEL GALLAGHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
turnupthesun81
I love Oasis/Noel Gallagher’s solo work because his music can stand on it’s own, both unplugged or electric.
Judy Quigley
Wow noel sounds awesome this is such a beautiful song a true oasis classic thanks for this amazing
msstevie1951
Love this, nothing like talking all night long til the sun rises with a new lover.There's always so much to say and listen to.x Love Paul Weller so much,he Does Something To Me! I couldn't resist! xxx
Wisam Hawwash
I could just listen to this for hours. Such a great tune
Gabriel Bp
Incrível! Amo essa música, e com paul ficou melhor ainda :3
V.P.C
god, paul weller sounds perfect in the back vocals and Noel... just perfect! very nice vid!
Liamfairclough
Remember taping this on channel 4 and covering it with my mate on keyboard. Magic stuff.
LibertineLee
i did exactly the same mate. i bet there was thousands of us, music like this is proper once in a lifetime stuff
chris haran
Hahaha me and my mate both did the same thing. Watching this back now, it's a lot more ropey than what I remember. Still a cracking song. By the way, I did the keyboard bit and only pressed 4 keys in the entire song haha
De_Raff
Me too. Trying to do the Rhodes(?) Solo On ma guitar as well as the noel bits