The promo video also features Tracie Young, whom Weller guided to a briefly successful pop career.
Speak Like A Child
The Style Council Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're a bonafide, in every respect
You are walking through streets that mean nothing to you
You believe you're above it and I don't really blame you
Maybe that's why you speak like a child
The things you're saying like I'm so free and so wild
And I believe it when you look in my eyes
Least only the kind to make me smile
Your clothes are clean and your mind is productive
It shops in stores where only the best buy
You're cool and hard, never sound like a lecher
It's probably true but at least there's no lecture
I really like it when you speak like a child
The crazy sayings like I'm so free and so wild
You have to make a bargain with me now
A promise that you won't change somehow
No way, now how
Spent all day thinking about you
Spent all night coming to terms with it
Time and conditions are built to tame
Nothing lasts with age, so people say
But I will always try to feel the same
Spent all day thinking about you
Spent all night coming to terms with it
Time and conditions are built to tame
Nothing lasts with age, so people say
But I will always try to feel the same
I really like it when you speak like a child
I really like it when you speak like a child
The way you hate the homely rank and the file
The way you're so proud to be, oh, so free and so wild
I really like it when you speak like a child
I really like it when you speak like a child
I really like it when you speak like a child
The way you're so proud to be, oh, so free and so wild
I really like it when you speak like a child
I really like it when you speak like a child
I really like it when you speak like a child
The way you're so proud to be, oh, so free and so wild
The Style Council's "Speak Like A Child" is a song that delves into the idea of unrequited love and the disparities between two people. The song talks about a person who is living a life of privilege and luxury, while the other person is struggling to stay afloat. The singer of the song initially finds the person's speech and behavior childish, but as they get to know them better, they appreciate their carefree and wild spirit. Despite the differences between them, the singer is attracted to this person and wants to be a part of their life. The song ends with the singer expressing their admiration for the way this person lives their life with such freedom and wildness.
The opening lines, "Your hair hangs in golden steps, you're a bonafide, in every respect," suggest that the person being addressed is confident, polished, and successful. The lyrics then go on to say that despite this success, the person is disconnected from the real world and thinks they are above it. The phrase "Maybe that's why you speak like a child" implies that the person's naivety is a result of this disconnection from reality.
The chorus repeats the line "I really like it when you speak like a child" and this can be interpreted in a few different ways. It could be seen as an endearing attribute that the singer appreciates in the person or it could be a sign of condescension towards the person being addressed.
Overall, the song speaks to the idea that sometimes we are attracted to people who are vastly different from us, and we may find ourselves admiring their seemingly carefree way of living. The song also touches on larger themes of class divides and the struggle to find connection in a world that can feel superficial.
Line by Line Meaning
Your hair hangs in golden steps
Your hair is long and flowing, like a staircase made of gold
You're a bonafide, in every respect
You are the real deal, in every way possible
You are walking through streets that mean nothing to you
You are wandering aimlessly through unfamiliar streets
You believe you're above it and I don't really blame you
You feel superior and disconnected, and I can understand why
Maybe that's why you speak like a child
Perhaps that's why you talk in a naive and innocent way
The things you're saying like I'm so free and so wild
You express your sense of freedom and wildness with your words
And I believe it when you look in my eyes
I trust what you tell me when you gaze into my eyes
You offer me a life and never lies
You promise me a truthful and fulfilling life
Least only the kind to make me smile
You only tell the kinds of lies that make me happy
Your clothes are clean and your mind is productive
You take care of your appearance and have a productive mindset
It shops in stores where only the best buy
You only buy from high-end stores with quality products
You're cool and hard, never sound like a lecher
You are calm and tough, and never come across as sleazy
It's probably true but at least there's no lecture
Your attitude may be justified, but you don't preach to others
You have to make a bargain with me now
You need to make a deal with me
A promise that you won't change somehow
Agree not to alter this deal in any way
No way, now how
Absolutely not
Spent all day thinking about you
I spent the whole day thinking of you
Spent all night coming to terms with it
I spent the entire night trying to come to grips with it
Time and conditions are built to tame
The passage of time and prevailing circumstances tend to quell wildness
Nothing lasts with age, so people say
People believe that youthfulness and excitement inevitably fade with age
But I will always try to feel the same
But I will always strive to retain my youthful spirit
The way you hate the homely rank and the file
You despise ordinary, mundane people and their lifestyle
The way you're so proud to be, oh, so free and so wild
You revel in your sense of freedom and adventurousness
I really like it when you speak like a child
I deeply enjoy your innocent and unsophisticated way of speaking
The crazy sayings like I'm so free and so wild
Your outlandish statements about being free and uninhibited
I really like it when you speak like a child
I really enjoy when you talk like an innocent and naive person
The way you're so proud to be, oh, so free and so wild
Your unfettered spirit and unabashed pride in your sense of freedom
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KeithWilliamMacHendry
The most uplifting song of my early twenties, I still adore this song 40 years later, though now I'm 63 not 23, it still however, lifts the soul. Mr Weller is The Master. ♥
@peterchambers2553
One of the purest sounding pop songs of the 1980s. Always puts me in a happy mood whenever I hear this track.
@briankennedy1192
The way you say that to me your so free and so wild"
@newportmike8519
Graduated high school in 83 in southern Cal and went to college just outside of San Francisco when the city was cool and happening. Listening to this song brings back super dense memories of long ago girl friends, the loss of friends, having fun in the city, seeing bands live and all the wonderful things of the 80s. So much has changed and I see the time in my face but I know we will all be ok. Many dear blessings everyone..
@joelewing4498
+newportmike8519: What a great post you just laid down, Mike. You write exactly like I do. I'll bet you've run across my posts somewhere in music vids before in YTube. I'm an old Arizona Boomer.....grad. high school in '73. LIke you.....we tore it up back in the day. I'm obviously an old rocker......still got that hard stoner-desert rock loving soul.....but for some odd reason these Style Council guys kind of grew on me. You can bet I NEVER would have given them a listen until now......oh my dear God no. Maybe because they've got a kickin' bass line in here, and it's all upbeat.....not syrupy-dreary-melancholy like so many bands tried to convince us they were when this genre came out in the 80's. Anyhow.....remember......he'll knock.....but don't let "the old man in "......kick his ass down the line! Keep making new memories with your dear old buds who are still in your sphere. God Bless us all......joelintucson
@andycuthbert2763
Paul really is one of the best musicians the UK has produced. His talent appears to be limitless!
@Euadam
Despite the fact that he rips of most of his stuff from other people more talented. This song included (Brinsley Schwartz - Surrender to the Rhythm).
@ashleyvences-calderon6023
i've only recently gotten into the style council and it's brought me a lot of joy in these rather drab gray winter days ... i don't think I can listen to them and not be in a good mood
@hunterbennett3591
for real happiest music ever i love paul weller
@ashleysowden5844
tune xx