Weller's eleventh studio album, Sonik Kicks, was released on 19 March 2012. The Green Songfacts reports that it was recorded in Wellerβs 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 β 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.
Time Passes
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's hard to say, we've all changed so much,
Compelled to look, but I hid my face
It's hard to trace, these feelings
Gone so soon, the time I spent with you
And like an old, old tune-keeps running through my head-
I wanted to say, so many things
But my mouth went dry, and one word and I'd cry.
Slender bride, your beauty shines from you
And forever more, I'll be on your side for sure,
A light in your life, that always burns for you
As time passes, so quickly.
The final stage, we've both reached some way
As we board our trains to different stations
And the parts we play, and the things we say,
Words on the way, to discovery
In Paul Weller's song "Time Passes," the singer reminisces about a chance encounter with someone from their past. The opening lines express uncertainty about whether the person they saw was actually the person they knew, highlighting the passage of time and how people change. The singer is drawn to looking at this person but feels compelled to hide their face because of the complicated emotions they feel. The nostalgia is driven home by the comparison of their feelings to "an old, old tune" that won't leave their head. The singer wants to speak to the person they saw and express their feelings, but they are overwhelmed emotionally and lose their words.
The second half of the song takes on a different perspective. The singer describes the person they saw as a "slender bride," focusing on their beauty and describing them as a light in their life that will always burn for them. The imagery of trains and different stations suggests that the two people have gone their separate ways in life. However, the singer feels certain that they will always be on this person's side. The final lines suggest that the journey each person takes through life is a process of discovery, with words and actions shaping each stage.
Overall, "Time Passes" is a reflection on the nostalgia and longing that arises from seeing someone from our past. It captures the bittersweet feeling of not being able to express our feelings for someone before the moment passes, but also the hope that the connection we felt with that person will endure over time.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw you today, or at least I think it was
I caught a glimpse of you today, but you seem so different that I'm not totally sure it was you.
It's hard to say, we've all changed so much,
It's difficult to be certain of anything because so much has happened, and we have all transformed in our own ways.
Compelled to look, but I hid my face
I felt a strong urge to look at you, but I couldn't bring myself to show my face.
It's hard to trace, these feelings
These emotions I'm experiencing are difficult to identify and understand.
Gone so soon, the time I spent with you
The moments we shared together seem to have disappeared so quickly.
And like an old, old tune-keeps running through my head-
Memories of those times keep playing in my mind like an old melody that won't fade away.
I wanted to say, so many things
There were so many thoughts on my mind that I wanted to express to you.
But my mouth went dry, and one word and I'd cry.
Despite my desire to speak, my mouth went dry, and I feared that I would break down in tears after uttering just one word.
Slender bride, your beauty shines from you
My beloved, you are slender and exquisite, and your radiance emanates from within.
And forever more, I'll be on your side for sure,
I vow to remain by your side through thick and thin, forever without question.
A light in your life, that always burns for you
I aim to be a constant source of light in your life, with a flame that never fades.
As time passes, so quickly.
The passage of time seems to happen so fast, with each moment slipping away before we know it.
The final stage, we've both reached some way
We have both arrived at a new point in our lives, after traveling a certain distance.
As we board our trains to different stations
Our paths are now diverging, and we are heading towards separate directions and destinies.
And the parts we play, and the things we say,
The roles we perform and the words we articulate are all meaningful and significant, though we might not realize it in the moment.
Words on the way, to discovery
The expressions we share can serve as a journey towards uncovering new knowledge and understanding.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@richardobrien9538
Such an underrated song by Mr. Weller. Beautiful lyrics, soppy, sentimental and that chunky guitar sound is sublime. "Slender bride, your beauty shines from you" Heartbreaking stuff..
@djmortimer2978
Beautiful song. Makes me feel happy and melancholic at the same time
@Crazybob07
Spot on!
@marleyjp043
Paul Weller is my favourite artist. Iβm 13 and my dad used to play this to me when I was 3 , I have been listening to his great music ever since.
I want this to be played at my funeral π
@Truthmoses
play it for today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
@davidharvey8812
@@Truthmoses love this πππΌ
@paulthomas3374
Thanks for the lyrics and fine tune PW got me through a messy divorce in 97
@sandratillotson5659
I love this, heard him tuning the piano up/sound check when outside Manchester Apollo one time, have followed him for most of my life.
@tanyawebber8867
β€ beautiful..
@julieclark8976
My absolute favourite song ever β€π