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 Lodgers
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're batting on pickets, trying to even the score
It's all inclusive, the dirt comes free
And you can be all that you want to be
Oh an equal chance and an equal pay
But equally there's no equal pay
There's room on top, if you tow the line
And if you believe all this you must be out of your mind
There's only room for those the same
Those who play the leeches game
Don't get settled in this place
The lodger's terms are in disgrace
Get 'cha brains blown out, in a captain's mess
Stand for the queen if you can stand the test
It's all thrown in and the lies come free
And you can be all that they want you to be
Oh if you work hard you can be the boss
But if you don't work at all then that's nobody's loss
There's room on top, if you dig in low
And the idea is what they reap you sow
With an old school tie and a reference
You can cover up crimes in their defense
It's all thrown in and the lies come free
And you can be all that they want you to be
"The Lodgers" by Paul Weller is a song that touches on the theme of social inequality and the struggle faced by the working-class during the Thatcher era. Through the use of vivid imagery and contrast imagery, Weller criticizes the UK’s conservative government for their conservative policies and how it negatively affected the less privileged. He begins the song by stating, "No peace for the wicked, only war on the poor" which suggests that the government intends to harm the poor. He then goes on to say, "It's all inclusive, the dirt comes free" signifying that in this government, you don't have to work for anything because they will offer you everything but will also make you pay for it.
Weller emphasizes the idea of class distinction through the lyrics, "There's only room for those the same, Those who play the leeches game," suggesting the government only has room for the wealthy elites that play by their rules. Throughout the rest of the song, Weller emphasizes how people can do things to benefit themselves in the government's eyes such as standing for the queen or getting an old school tie and references. Weller's repeated use of the phrase, "you can be all that they want you to be," suggests that the government wants the working class to conform and not speak out against their policies.
Line by Line Meaning
No peace for the wicked, only war on the poor
The rich and powerful are constantly oppressing those who are struggling and suffering
They're batting on pickets, trying to even the score
The poor and marginalized are fighting back against their oppressors
It's all inclusive, the dirt comes free
Even the worst aspects of society are open to everyone, regardless of merit or virtue
And you can be all that you want to be
Society promises people the freedom and opportunity to pursue their dreams and ambitions
Oh an equal chance and an equal pay
Supposedly, everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and be rewarded fairly for their work
But equally there's no equal pay
In reality, there is a vast amount of inequality and unfairness in the world
There's room on top, if you tow the line
People who conform to society's expectations and ideals can climb to the top
And if you believe all this you must be out of your mind
The previous statements are all lies and illusions; no one who is truly aware of the world could believe them
There's only room for those the same
Only people who conform to the norms and expectations of society are truly accepted
Those who play the leeches game
Those who conform to these norms are essentially sucking the life out of others, like leeches
Don't get settled in this place
People shouldn't become complacent about the oppressive and unfair society they live in
The lodger's terms are in disgrace
The ideas and values of those in power are shameful and offensive
Get 'cha brains blown out, in a captain's mess
People who challenge or oppose the powerful often end up hurt or dead
Stand for the queen if you can stand the test
People are expected to pledge allegiance to the reigning powers, even if it goes against their own interest and values
Oh if you work hard you can be the boss
The myth of meritocracy implies that anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination
But if you don't work at all then that's nobody's loss
In reality, the wealthy and privileged often gain wealth and status through inheritance and other unfair advantages
There's room on top, if you dig in low
People who are willing to compromise their integrity and dignity can climb the ladder of success
And the idea is what they reap you sow
The idea of success is wrapped up in exploitation and greed, and those who benefit from it do so at the expense of others
With an old school tie and a reference
Those who have the right connections and come from privileged backgrounds have an unfair advantage in society
You can cover up crimes in their defense
Those in power are able to protect themselves and others like them from punishment for wrongdoing
And you can be all that they want you to be
Society encourages people to conform to its expectations and desires, rather than challenging them or speaking out
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MICK TALBOT, PAUL WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fabiocasa843
No peace for the wicked, only war on the poor
They're batting on pickets, trying to even the score
It's all inclusive, the dirt comes free
And you can be all that you want to be
Oh an equal chance and an equal pay
But equally there's no equal pay
There's room on top, if you tow the line
And if you believe all this you must be out of your mind
There's only room for those the same
Those who play the leeches game
Don't get settled in this place
The lodger's terms are in disgrace
Get 'cha brains blown out, in a captain's mess
Stand for the queen if you can stand the test
It's all thrown in and the lies come free
And you can be all that they want you to be
Oh if you work hard you can be the boss
But if you don't work at all then that's nobody's loss
There's room on top, if you dig in low
And the idea is what they reap you sow
With an old school tie and a reference
You can cover up crimes in their defense
It's all thrown in and the lies come free
And you can be all that they want you to be
@rolloooo
Dont get settled in this place
The lodgers terms are a disgrace
No peace for the wicked - only war on the poor
They're batting on pickets - trying to even the score
It's all inclusive - the dirt comes free
And you can be all that you want to be
Oh an equal chance and an equal say
But equally there's no equal pay
There's room on top - if you toe the line
And if you believe all this you must be out of your mind
There's only room for those the same
Those who play the leeches game
Don't get settled in this place
The lodger's terms are in disgrace
Getcha brains blown out - in a captain's mess
Stand for the Queen if you can stand the test
It's all thrown in and the lies come free
And you can be all that they want you to be
Oh if you work hard you can be the boss
But if you don't work at all then that's nobody's loss
There's room on top - if you dig in low
And the idea is what they reap, you sow
With an old school tie and a reference
You can cover up crimes in their defence
It's all thrown in and the lies come free
And you can be all that they want you to be
@StevieRevbo
The Lodger's
The Style Council
No peace for the wicked, only war on the poor
They're batting on pickets, trying to even the score
It's all inclusive, the dirt comes free
And you can be all that you want to be
Oh an equal chance and an equal pay
But equally there's no equal pay
There's room on top, if you tow the line
And if you believe all this you must be out of your mind
There's only room for those the same
Those who play the leeches game
Don't get settled in this place
The lodger's terms are in disgrace
Get 'cha brains blown out, in a captain's mess
Stand for the queen if you can stand the test
It's all thrown in and the lies come free
And you can be all that they want you to be
Oh if you work hard you can be the boss
But if you don't work at all then that's nobody's loss
There's room on top, if you dig in low
And the idea is what they reap you sow
With an old school tie and a reference
You can cover up crimes in their defense
It's all thrown in and the lies come free
And you can be all that they want you to be
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Mick Talbot / Paul Weller
@AHC63
They had such a unique sound - Paul Weller is a great musician.
@loveandpeach2217
I've been enjoying this song for over 30 years!
This is one of my favorite song of the style council.
Awesome!!!
@muripa
Passei quase 30 anos tentando descobrir o nome desta música e quem a canta. Finalmente, a descoberta aconteceu em 13/06/2022!
@persona83
Nunca é tarde demais. 😆
@sidney.3449
Demorou mas chegou🎉
@michaelrawling4187
This album version of the lodger is better than the other version
@min3008
absolutely!!!!
@myronheller6165
TOTALLY agree!...🎶🎼🎵
@SFHikaru
YES！
@tednorton5150
I can't fathom why they were unhappy with the drum machine and sequencing on this. It's fucking brilliant and SWINGS. I have to admit Paul's guitar work on the re-cut and live versions was very very nice but this is my preferred version.