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 Eton Rifles
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a row going on down near slough.
Get out your mat and pray to the west.
I'll get out mine and pray for myself.
Thought you were smart when you took them on,
But you didn't take a peep in their artillery room.
All that rugby puts hairs on your chest.
Hello-hurrah, what a nice day for the Eton rifles.
Hello-hurrah, I hope rain stops play for the Eton rifles.
Thought you were clever when you lit the fuse,
Tore down the house of commons in your brand new shoes,
Composed a revolutionary symphony,
Then went to bed with a charming young glee.
Hello-hurrah, cheers then, mate. it's the Eton rifles.
Hello-hurrah, an extremist scrape with the Eton rifles.
What a catalyst you turned out to be:
Loaded the guns, then you run off home for your tea,
Left me standing like a guilty schoolboy
What a catalyst you turned out to be:
Loaded the guns, then you run off home for your tea,
Left me standing like a naughty schoolboy
We came out of it naturally the worst:
Beaten and bloody, and I was sick down my shirt.
We were no match for their untamed wit,
Though some of the lads said they'd be back next week.
Hello-hurrah, it's the price to pay to the Eton rifles.
Hello-hurrah, I'd prefer the plague to the Eton rifles.
Hello-hurrah, it's the price to pay to the Eton rifles.
Hello-hurrah, I'd prefer the plague to the Eton rifles.
The Eton Rifles by Paul Weller is a satirical song about the confrontation that took place between the police and a group of young protesters in 1978. Weller criticizes the Eton College boys who were attacking protesters who were planning to march through Slough on their way to a rally in London. The song contains several sarcastic comments aimed at the upper-class Eton College boys who believed they were better than the working-class protesters.
The opening lines of the song, "Sup up your beer and collect your fags, there's a row going on down near Slough," refers to the typical drinking and smoking habits of the working-class youth during the time. The line, "Get out your mat and pray to the west, I'll get out mine and pray for myself," is a mockery of the religious beliefs held by the young Eton College boys.
The song continues to criticize the Eton College boys' behavior, referencing their rugby playing and the crested ties they wear as symbols of their privilege. Weller accuses them of not being able to fight fairly and having to resort to using their ties as weapons against the protesters. The chorus, "Hello-hurrah, what a nice day for the Eton rifles," is an ironic statement, suggesting that these young men enjoy the violence and get a sense of power from it.
Overall, The Eton Rifles is a powerful protest song that challenges class privilege and highlights the structural inequalities in society. Its biting sarcasm and direct criticism of the upper-class Eton College boys make it an enduring statement of rebellion against the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
Sup up your beer and collect your fags
Drink up your beer and grab your cigarettes
There's a row going on near Slough
There's a fight happening near Slough
Get out your mat and pray to the west
Kneel down and pray, hoping for divine intervention
I'll get out mine and pray for myself
I'll pray for my own safety
Thought you were smart when you took them on
You thought you were clever for challenging them
But you didn't take a peep in their artillery room
You didn't consider the full extent of their weaponry
All that rugby puts hairs on your chest
Playing rugby makes you tough and fearless
What chance have you got against a tie and a crest?
What chance do you have against the privileged elite?
Hello-hurrah, what a nice day for the Eton rifles
Sarcastic cheers for the Eton rifles
Hello-hurrah, I hope rain stops play for the Eton rifles
Wishing bad luck upon the Eton rifles
Thought you were clever when you lit the fuse
You thought you were smart when you started a revolution
Tore down the house of commons in your brand new shoes
You destroyed the seat of government while wearing fancy shoes
Composed a revolutionary symphony
You created a piece of music that represents the revolution
Then went to bed with a charming young glee
Then went to bed with a feeling of satisfaction
Hello-hurrah, cheers then, mate. it's the Eton rifles
Mocking cheers for the Eton rifles
Hello-hurrah, an extremist scrape with the Eton rifles
Sarcastic reference to a fight with the Eton rifles
What a catalyst you turned out to be
You were the spark that ignited the revolution
Loaded the guns, then you run off home for your tea
You started the violence but then left before it got too dangerous
Left me standing like a guilty schoolboy
You left me to face the consequences of our actions
We came out of it naturally the worst
We were the losers of the fight
Beaten and bloody, and I was sick down my shirt
We were badly injured and I vomited from the violence
We were no match for their untamed wit
We couldn't outsmart or outmatch their privileged intellect
Though some of the lads said they'd be back next week
Some of our group vowed to seek revenge next week
Hello-hurrah, it's the price to pay to the Eton rifles
Sarcastic acceptance of the consequences of challenging the Eton rifles
Hello-hurrah, I'd prefer the plague to the Eton rifles
Sarcastic preference for the plague over the Eton rifles
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Denneze Downs
Loved Paul weller growing up when I was a child. Having older brother's listening to The Jam Ect. & I still love him now. Saw him in July @ Warwick Castle. Got to say he was fantastic.
Hilary H
Iconic song!
boxingjerapah
You can see how excited he is to be singing the song with PW. That's how good Weller is. That's how good the song was. That's how great The Jam will always be.
Nevets Gnil
I was at this gig, what a fantastic night.
yourselfiegotleaked
God they're horribly underappreciated here in the states
FACE THE UNCERTAINTY OF LIFE
The late 70s was my last years at school then message in a bottle the police then we found the JAM was so sorry it ended but Paul you help us in our teen years thank you 😊
Modette69er Northern Soul
A gig I will take to the grave with me....
william Richard Sully
Pure brilliant.
Eric Trafalgar
Paul!!!
So cooooool!!!
Ricki Cleveland
Would of loved to of been there!!!!