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.
Why Walk When You Can Run
Paul Weller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the world that lies before
He can't hear my sound
He's much to in tune with the ground
He sees only the tide
And the surf and the sea
He's oblivious to me calling
In years to come
I will still call him son
But he'll have no time to wait
He must see beyond his fate
He sees only the sun
And the wind make it free
His only defense will always be
Why walk when you can run?
Run like the wind, run like the wind
Run like the wind, run like the wind
Run like the wind, run like the wind
Run like the wind my son
Run like the wind, run like the wind
Run like the wind, run like the wind
Run like the wind, run like the wind
Run like the wind my son
Through sheets of time
Are the wings of a bird
He'll come to the edge
To look life in the eyes
Is he holding the keys
To the world and his dreams?
His strongest defense will always be
Why walk when you can run?
Why walk when you can run?
Run like the wind, run like the wind
Run like the wind, run like the wind
Run like the wind, run like the wind
Run like the wind my son
Run like the wind, run like the wind
Don't turn your back, no giving in
Run like the wind, run like the wind
Run like the wind my son
Paul Weller's "Why Walk When You Can Run" is a song that speaks about how children as they grow older, become more independent and start to see the world in their own way from their parents. The song opens with the singer watching his son running towards the shore in search of new adventures. Although he calls out to him, his son is too absorbed in exploring the world around him to hear him.
As the years go by, the singer understands that his son will become more and more independent and will want to chase his own dreams. The singer knows that his son will become a man one day and that he will no longer have the time to wait for his father. He will need to take charge of his own life and create his own destiny.
The final part of the song speaks about how the man will eventually come to the edge of the world to look life in the eyes. He may hold the keys to the world and his dreams, and his strongest defense is to always run towards them, to never give up and to always run like the wind.
In summary, the song speaks about the inevitability of children growing up and becoming independent from their parents. The singer understands that his son is chasing his dreams and that he must let him go and trust that he will make the right choices in life. The chorus reminds us to never give up on our dreams, to always run towards them and to never walk when we can run.
Line by Line Meaning
My son runs to the shore
The singer's son is excited and eager to explore the world around him.
To the world that lies before
The son is focused on the present moment and all the possibilities that the future holds.
He can't hear my sound
The son is so absorbed in his surroundings that he is oblivious to the singer's attempts to call him back.
He's much too in tune with the ground
The son is so connected to and aware of his environment that he is completely focused on it and not on anything else around him.
He sees only the tide
The son is captivated by the natural beauty and movements of the ocean waves.
And the surf and the sea
The son is embracing all aspects of the ocean environment and reveling in its beauty.
He's oblivious to me calling
The son is so enthralled with his surroundings that he is unaware of the singer's attempts to communicate with him.
In years to come
The singer is reflecting on the future and what it holds for his son.
I will still call him son
No matter how much time passes, the singer will always feel a deep connection and love for his son.
But he'll have no time to wait
The son is eager to explore the world and has little patience for anything that may slow him down.
He must see beyond his fate
The son must look beyond what is immediately in front of him and pursue his dreams with confidence and determination.
He sees only the sun
The son's focus is on the bright and positive aspects of life, rather than any negative or limiting factors.
And the wind make it free
The son is embracing the freedom and unpredictability of his surroundings.
His only defense will always be
No matter what challenges come his way, the son's unwavering determination and positive attitude will be his greatest armor.
Why walk when you can run?
The singer encourages his son to move through life with energy and enthusiasm, never settling for less than what he truly wants.
Through sheets of time
The singer is hinting at the idea that time is infinite and that anything is possible if the son pursues his dreams with determination.
Are the wings of a bird
The son has the potential to soar through life and achieve his goals if he embraces his natural curiosity and eagerness to learn.
He'll come to the edge
The son is not afraid to take risks and pursue his dreams, even if it means stepping out of his comfort zone.
To look life in the eyes
The son is ready and willing to face any challenges that may come his way with bravery and determination.
Is he holding the keys
The singer wonders if his son possesses the necessary skills, talents, and attitude to unlock the doors to success in life.
To the world and his dreams?
The singer believes that his son has the potential to achieve great things in life and to make his dreams a reality.
His strongest defense will always be
The son's unwavering determination, positive attitude, and eagerness to learn will always be his greatest assets.
Run like the wind, run like the wind
The singer encourages his son to move through life with speed, determination, and enthusiasm.
Don't turn your back, no giving in
The singer urges his son to stay focused on his goals and never give up, even when faced with obstacles or setbacks.
Run like the wind my son
The singer encourages his son to pursue his dreams with energy, enthusiasm, and determination, confident in his abilities to succeed.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony Peacock Jnr
Love this song, Im a massive Weller fan myself, gonna have tp learn this one....cheers!!
Wayne Taylor
Perfect. Just unreal. Weller at his best again. 🎼👌
Ayo Bamidele - Acoustic Music
Really like this tune, it's unlike anything else he's ever done. Thanks for posting.
Jimena Espinal
Simply amazing!! Love 💜 it 🎶
music outsidethebox
Wow talk about an amazing performance! absolutely beautiful song I love the strings.
ktlovesguys
So earthy!! So moving ... Love it *~xx~*
Maria Vittoria Pittamiglio
Love .i like it
inspiral roses
How come this gem gets only 123x views. Fuckfuckfuck, I was listening to it when driving through one rainy night in the fall of 2008 to the hospital where my first son had just been born ... and folks, that's NO fairy tale, it's just the naked truth ... it has changed my view on being a father as has "this is how it feels" by the Inspiral Carpets ... thanks, Mr. Weller.
AmirSuperTube
Thanks for sharing
GuestOfGregoryHouse
HD my arse