Paul Weller (born 25 May 1958) is an English singer / songwriter, leader of… Read Full Bio ↴Paul Weller (born 25 May 1958) is an English singer / songwriter, leader of two successful bands: The Jam and The Style Council. In England, he is recognised as something of a national institution yet, because much of his songwriting is rooted in English culture, he has remained essentially a national rather than an international star.

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.

Up the Dosage
Paul Weller Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's twelve steps to Eddie Cochran baby
Two flowers growing through
The pavement crack
Wish I was purple but I'm red instead
Catch a ride it's so pure
And fresh and clean
Shafts of light that stream and holler
The dust that dances

On the air to me, you'll see
Your lips are like milk, honey
I'll grow through your cracks

And you'll see
I'll make it right, I'll make it right

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Paul Weller's song Up the Dosage are intriguing and open to interpretation. The first line refers to Eddie Cochran, a musician who died tragically in a car accident at the young age of 21. The twelve steps mentioned could be a metaphor for the ups and downs of life, perhaps relating to Eddie's own short life. The second line speaks of two flowers growing through the pavement crack, an image of resilience and strength despite adversity. Perhaps this is also a metaphor for the human spirit.

The next few lines express a desire to be different, to stand out from the crowd. The line "Wish I was purple but I'm red instead" indicates a longing to be unique and not conform to societal norms. The next few lines mention catching a ride and experiencing something pure and fresh. This could be a reference to escaping from a mundane or stale existence and seeking something new and exciting. The imagery of shafts of light streaming and dust dancing on the air conveys a sense of freedom and effortless movement.

The final lines of the song are perhaps the most meaningful. The comparison of someone's lips to milk and honey suggests sweetness and goodness. The line "I'll grow through your cracks and you'll see, I'll make it right" indicates a willingness to overcome obstacles and make things better. This could be interpreted in different ways, such as reaching out to someone who is struggling or finding hope in difficult circumstances.

Overall, the lyrics to Up the Dosage are open to interpretation but convey an uplifting message of resilience, hope and a desire to overcome adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

There's twelve steps to Eddie Cochran baby
The singer is acknowledging the legacy and influence of Eddie Cochran, and the fact that there is a lot to learn from him.

Two flowers growing through the pavement crack
The singer recognizes and celebrates the resilience and perseverance of nature, as two flowers continue to grow in a place where it seems impossible.

Wish I was purple but I'm red instead
The singer wishes they were more unique or different, but they are resigned to being the way they are.

Catch a ride it's so pure and fresh and clean
The artist is encouraging someone to take a ride with them, promising a refreshing and invigorating experience.

Shafts of light that stream and holler
The artist is poeticizing the beauty and power of sunlight, which streams down with a bright and almost audible intensity.

The dust that dances on the air to me, you'll see
The singer is pointing out the beauty and intricacy of dust particles that dance through the air and create an almost magical effect.

Your lips are like milk, honey
The singer is complimenting someone's lips, likening them to the sweetness of milk and honey.

I'll grow through your cracks
The artist is expressing their willingness to accept and even thrive in the difficult aspects of another person's life, symbolized by the cracks in a metaphorical pavement.

And you'll see, I'll make it right, I'll make it right
The artist is expressing their determination to help and support the person they are addressing, promising to make things better for them.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SIMON DINE, PAUL WELLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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