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.
The Changingman )
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or am I so jaded
I can't see or feel, like a man been tainted
Numbed by the effect, aware of the muse
Too in touch with myself, I light the fuse
I'm the changingman, built on shifting sands
I'm the changingman, waiting for the bang
Time is on loan, only ours to borrow
What I can't be today, I can be tomorrow
And the more I see, the more I know
The more I know, the less I understand.
I'm the changingman, built on shifting sands
I'm the changingman, waiting for the bang
To light a bitter fuse
It's a bigger part
When our instincts act
A shot in the dark
A movement in black
And the more I see, the more I know
The more I know, the less I understand.
I'm the changingman, built on shifting sands
(I don't have a plan)
I'm the changingman, waiting for the bang
To light a bitter fuse
In "The Changingman", Paul Weller contemplates the nature of happiness and whether or not it is a real feeling. He questions whether he has become too jaded to truly experience happiness or if he has been tainted in some way that prevents him from feeling it. The lyrics suggest that the singer is self-aware but perhaps overly so, causing him to light a "bitter fuse". He acknowledges that time is fleeting and that what he cannot be today, he can strive to be tomorrow. The more he understands about the world and himself, the less he seems to comprehend.
Weller sings about being a "changingman", someone who is built on shifting sands and waiting for the inevitable bang that will set off his fuse. He is someone who is constantly evolving and adapting to new circumstances, even if it is difficult or painful. The line "I don't have a plan" suggests that the singer is open to whatever comes his way and is willing to take risks.
The song also touches on the idea that sometimes our instincts can lead us in the right direction, even if it feels like we are taking a shot in the dark. The movement in black could be a metaphor for taking bold actions in the face of uncertainty. Ultimately, "The Changingman" is about embracing uncertainty and change, even if it is difficult to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Is happiness real?
Questioning whether happiness is a real concept.
Or am I so jaded
Wondering if being cynical has affected his perception of happiness.
I can't see or feel, like a man been tainted
Feeling unable to recognize or experience happiness, almost as if tainted by negativity.
Numbed by the effect, aware of the muse
Feeling desensitized to positive emotion but still aware of inspiration.
Too in touch with myself, I light the fuse
Being too self-aware leads to his own emotional destruction.
I'm the changingman, built on shifting sands
Identifying himself as someone who is constantly changing and adapting to new circumstances.
I'm the changingman, waiting for the bang
Always anticipating a dramatic change.
As I light a bitter fuse
Preparing for disappointment or negativity despite the anticipation of change.
Time is on loan, only ours to borrow
Time is finite and can only be used for a temporary period of time.
What I can't be today, I can be tomorrow
Hopeful for the possibility of improvement or change in the future.
And the more I see, the more I know
Acknowledging that increased knowledge leads to a greater awareness of how little one truly knows.
The more I know, the less I understand.
Paradoxically, as he gains knowledge, he realizes how complex the world truly is.
It's a bigger part
Recognizing that understanding one's instincts is an important aspect of life.
When our instincts act
Noticing the impact that our instincts have on our actions.
A shot in the dark
Acknowledging that sometimes taking action is a risk with uncertain outcomes.
A movement in black
Making decisions without knowing what the outcome will be.
I don't have a plan
Embracing the spontaneous and unpredictable nature of life.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BRENDAN LYNCH, PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dezmo59
The changingman
Is happiness real or am I so jaded?
Can't see or feel like a man been tainted
Numbed by the effect, aware of the muse
Too in touch with myself, I light the fuse
I'm the changingman
Woh
Built on shifting sand
Yea
I'm changingman
Woh
Waiting for the bang
(Bang)
As I light a bitter fuse
Our time is on loan, only us to borrow
An' I know
But I can't be today, I can be tomorrow
Yea, all I see, the more I know
The more I know, the less I understand
I'm the changingman
Built on shifting sands
Yea
I'm a changingman
I' m waiting for the bang
To light a bitter fuse
Bigger part ahh, when our instincts act
A shot in the dark, a movement in black, yea
More I see, more I know
The more I know, the less I understand you
(Changingman)
Yea eee aaa
Built on shifting sands
I don't have a plan
I'm changingman
Waiting for the bang
To light a bitter fuse
(Changingman)
Built on shifting sands
Yea eee yea
I'm a changingman
Waiting for the bang
To light a bitter fuse
Yea eee yea
Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/paul-weller/the-changingman-lyrics/#yhHd0bFSd5A4tVA7.99
Silver Fan
I never understood why this guy wasn't huge in the USA, he is phenominal. Super talented.
Sam Mencia
He has been adamantly British since 1976.
He tours North America, even plays the LA game a bit.
But he writes about England.
He's a British poet.
And many American fans are ok with that.
Celtic Bhoy
They call football as soccer that's explain all
Ryoichi Watanabe
@Celtic Bhoy ooof, that's quite a burn u made there innit??
Shane Freund
Grunge ruled rock in the 90's especially in the US seeing as it was created in Seattle
Gary Thompson
@Celtic Bhoy great comment! I’m American who has supported Man United since 93. Started following Celtic when Roy Keane played his last season there
Peter Howard
Weller is an institution, a mod icon and working class hero. Authentic, great song writer, and musican. Paul Weller will be remembered in years from know.
redrooster1892
Lol
Chug Nuts
*now
R H R 221b
@Chug Nuts 'Now' exactly what your ad hominem ruse means there, Chug. Stay free. 🍻😎