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.
What's Goin On
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yeah
Father, father
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Mother, mother, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me,
So you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
I'll tell you ya, what's going on, uh
Ah, what's going on
Right on baby
Right on baby
The lyrics to Paul Weller's song "What's Going On" are a call for peace, understanding, and unity during a time of turmoil and violence. The song is a tribute to Marvin Gaye's original "What's Going On" and touches on many of the same issues - war, poverty, discrimination, and social injustice. Weller's lyrics address these issues through a message of love and hope, emphasizing the need for understanding and compassion in order to bridge the divide between people.
The opening lines of the song, "Mother, mother, there's too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother, there's far too many of you dying," set the tone for the rest of the song. Weller is calling attention to the suffering and pain that people are experiencing and imploring listeners to take up the cause of love and empathy. He goes on to say that war is not the answer and that only love can conquer hate. The picket lines and picket signs represent the protests and activism of the time, and Weller is asking for understanding and dialogue instead of violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother, mother
Addressing the maternal affection that is universally identified with caring and nurturing.
There's too many of you crying
Acknowledging the overwhelming amount of sadness and pain present in society.
Brother, brother, brother
Addressing society at large as siblings with a shared bond of humanity.
There's far too many of you dying
Highlighting the excessive number of casualties due to conflicts and societal injustice.
You know we've got to find a way
Emphasizing the need for collective action to bring about positive change.
To bring some lovin' here today, yeah
Advocating for spreading compassion and kindness in order to bring about societal harmony.
Father, father
Acknowledging a paternal figure in a similar way to the maternal reference earlier in the song.
We don't need to escalate
Encouraging a non-violent, peaceful approach to resolving conflicts and issues.
You see, war is not the answer
Highlighting the flaws at the heart of war, which inherently lead to more suffering and violence.
For only love can conquer hate
Arguing that the only way to overcome hatred and prejudice is through compassion and empathy.
Picket lines and picket signs
Referencing social movements and protests as a means of advocacy and change-making.
Don't punish me with brutality
Critiquing oppressive systems and institutions that use force and cruelty to silence dissent.
Talk to me
Advocating for dialogue and communication in order to build understanding and trust.
So you can see
Encouraging a willingness to listen and learn from others' experiences and perspectives.
Oh, what's going on
Posing a question about the state of society and the need for change.
What's going
Reiterating the question and emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Ya, what's going on
Echoing the earlier question, further driving home the need for reflection and action.
Ah, what's going on
Expanding on the question and highlighting the complexity of the issue at hand.
In the mean time
Acknowledging that there is work to be done in the present moment, despite the complexity of the issue.
Right on, baby
Expressing encouragement and support for those working towards positive change.
Mother, mother, everybody thinks we're wrong
Highlighting the lack of understanding and acceptance towards social movements and those advocating for change.
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Challenging authority figures and traditional power structures that seek to maintain the status quo.
Simply because our hair is long
Referencing a common source of criticism and judgment towards advocates for change.
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
Reiterating the need for collective action and advocating for perseverance in the face of adversity.
To bring some understanding here today
Advocating for empathy and awareness as a means of promoting positive change.
I'll tell you ya, what's going on, uh
Returning to the original question and signaling the end of the song.
Right on baby
Repeating the previous message of encouragement and support.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY IAN BERKELEY, ARNOLD E. HAMILTON, ROBERT F. DIGGS, T. HAMLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheMicturation
Weller's passion and professionalism in his art is unmatched...this imo is what makes him so special,he could soul up Jingle Bells and make it his own...im 43 now and hav been watching this guy since 80/81...Weller is the purest musician/songwriter ive seen n heard in my time,respect from Australia.
@kevmoloney8496
The man
@hannchris2762
Great cover of a great song RIP Marvin
@monkeycrud
Never understood why she didn't have more recognition. She's brilliant. And gorgeous!
@anthonyjohnson768
What’s her name
@garrystorer6766
Lena Fiagbe@@anthonyjohnson768
@p-hawk1956
@@anthonyjohnson768 Lena Fiagbe
@roger3053
@@p-hawk1956thank you friend it helped me too
@michelemarkwell8481
My hero, the god of Mod no the god of lyrics, soulful voice but the slickest man to ever walk the British music world... Pure legend and then some! KTF 💕
@shaunshunt
Have been with Weller from the early days and this is the most upbeat and northern soul like thing that came from him since ‘ The Gift’ Love it! 👍