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.
These City Streets
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The cardboard streets
In parts of town
There's just you and I alone
There's nobody else at home
And I look into your eyes
And I know why
These warm embraces
They tell their stories
Of warm embraces
Oh, these city streets
Oh, these city streets
But soon again
We're blown along
You know it won't take long
To find our feet
There's just you and I alone
There's nobody else at home
And I look into your eyes
And I know why
I'm in love with you
I'm in love with you
These times and places
And all the faces
There's always somewhere
Oh, these city streets
Oh, these city streets
This warm embraces
Their tell their stories
Of warm embraces
Oh, these city streets
Oh, these city streets
Still got a way to go
Oh, these city streets
Still got a way to go
These city streets
In Paul Weller's song, "These City Streets", the lyrics paint a picture of two individuals disappearing down the tracks into the cardboard streets of the city. As they walk through parts of town, they find themselves alone and fully present with one another. The warm embraces they share convey the depth of their connection to each other. However, as they make their way through the city, they recognize that they have a long way to go before they reach their destination.
The song's words evoke a sense of longing and a search for meaning within the chaos and clamor of the city. The lines "These warm embraces, they tell their stories of warm embraces" describe how the moments of connection and affection within a relationship can speak to a deeper narrative of intimacy and the human condition. The song acknowledges that these moments of connection may be fleeting, but they still hold value and are worth seeking out.
Overall, "These City Streets" is a contemplative and introspective song about the harsh realities of urban life, yet it still manages to find beauty and meaning within the busyness.
Line by Line Meaning
We disappear down the tracks
We leave our current place and venture forward into the unknown
The cardboard streets
The fake, temporary homes we create for ourselves in parts of town
In parts of town
In the areas where we feel most comfortable and know our way around
There's just you and I alone
We are the only ones in our own little world
There's nobody else at home
We are isolated from others in our safe space
And I look into your eyes
I see the beauty and truth in your soul
And I know why
I understand what draws me to you
I'm in love with you
I have strong feelings of affection for you
These warm embraces
The love and comfort we share in our relationship
They tell their stories
Our interactions express our history and experiences together
Of warm embraces
Our love and affection for each other
Oh, these city streets
Our experiences together in the urban environment
But soon again
However, we must venture back into the real world
We're blown along
The unpredictable and unsteady path we take forward
You know it won't take long
Our routine will quickly return
To find our feet
We will regain stability and security
These times and places
The memories we create together in our journeys
And all the faces
The people we meet and interact with along the way
There's always somewhere
There is always a new place to explore
Still got a way to go
We have not yet reached our final destination
Oh, these city streets
The environment we navigate as we move forward
Still got a way to go
We have not yet reached the end of our journey
These city streets
The urban world we continue to explore
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alan Schrock
As a huge Style Council fan this made me smile. Brings back memories of Cafe Bleu and The Paris Match. So very good on so many levels. Love this video and song. So glad I found it.
Biovera Organics
Music that transpires time, fashion and pop culture. Bravo Mr. Weller!It is not an easy feat to be bold. Consistently and for many years.
TheMisterMonkeyman
Another great song from a great man. I don't know how he does it. Embracing new sounds while retaining his musical essence. You can clearly tell this is a Paul Weller song, yet it doesn't sound like any of his previous songs. After all these years I still look forward to hearing what he comes out with next. I don't like them all, but I love most of them. It's been a great ride so far, and I'll be here until the end. Thanks for the post. Peace.
Kyle Jackson
Honestly believe this is one of his best. Such a great song.
MrTeamTactical
love this song!! this video has complimented it so well. good job!!
cliff bailey
Whether you're a biased Weller fan or not (I am ) this has to be a track that will become a classic on the live (outdoor) circuit. One for the lovers of the world who know the course doesn't always run smooth.
The Incider
Great video from Andy Crofts shot in a great city. Probably the stand out track on an album full of great songs.
Kevin R Joyce
As always, when Weller is in love, there's a dreamy fall-in- love song to capture the moment. A sympathetic and romantic video melds well with the words. Nice touch with the Make Art Not War in the present, politically charged atmosphere in Paris and Syria. A lush love song for Romantics everywhere. x
xtstevie
Just beautiful & what a voice......
Brett Stephens
He probably will not like me saying it but Paul Weller is right up there side by side with the Beatles and co..forever Changing Man!