This edition of weekend art takes you through the musical history of Paul Weller, lead vocalist and songwriter for The Jam, The Style Council, and then his own band. His evolution as an artist covers everything from punk to pop to folk to rock. Below the fold, some of the highlights from his outstanding career, presented as youtube clips with lyric selections and brief commentary.
Note: this is the latest installment in a new weekend series spotlighting art at Swords Crossed, a political debate site.
The Jam were one of the leading punk/mod bands in the UK in the late seventies/early eighties. Their gritty up-tempo style of in-your-face intensity perfectly matched their standard subject matter: the drudgery, challenges, and moments of hope in the lives of ordinary Brits. They never gained the international reputation of many other UK groups but at home they became extremely popular. Their music was a source of inspiration for the next wave, most notably Oasis, who frequently collaborated with Weller. Some other songs from this period: Down in the Tube Station at Midnight, Eton Rifles, and Going Underground.
In the City (Info / Lyrics) Their first single, first hit, and the title track from their first album, this song typifies the style of The Jam: fast, energetic, spirited, political. To me the group is punk rock plus a melody. There is a raw passion to these early songs that keeps them fresh decades later.
In the city there's a thousand things I want to say to you But whenever I approach you, you make me look a fool I wanna say, I wanna tell you About the young ideas But you turn them into fears
Dreams of Children (Info / Lyrics) Here we see the emergence of more sophisticated song structure wrapped around the same hard-edged core. The promise and failures of modern society form a recurring theme in their music.
I sat alone with the dreams of children Weeping willows and tall dark building, I've caught a fashion from the dreams of children But woke up sweating from this modern nightmare
That's Entertainment (Info / Lyrics) Probably their most well-known song, a sparse guitar-driven sardonic look at daily life in modern London. You won't be able to get the catchy hook out of your head.
Waking up at 6 a.m. on a cool warm morning Opening the windows and breathing in petrol An amateur band rehearsing in a nearby yard Watching the tele and thinking about your holidays that's entertainment.
Town Called Malice (Info / Lyrics) One of the best songs under 3 minutes ever made, it is impossible not to tap your foot to this forward-looking collage of working-class hard times. Featured in a classic dance sequence in Billy Elliot.
stop apologizing for the things you've never done, Cos time is short and life is cruel but it's up to us to change This town called malice.
The Style Council mostly went in a different direction from The Jam, probably costing them some fans who were expecting similar music but giving Weller the creative space to explore new ideas. These songs have a very wide range in both style and quality, and with some exceptions generally haven't aged all that well. However, Weller's increasing skill with slower-tempo and more richly instrumented songs would serve him well in his later solo career. Some additional songs from this period: Shout to the Top and Have You Ever Had it Blue?.
Walls Come Tumbling Down (Lyrics) One of the better Style Council songs, probably because it sounds like The Jam. Nakedly political in its sympathies for wage earners and condemnation of their bosses.
Those who play the power game They take the profits - you take the blame When they tell you there’s no rise in pay Are you gonna try an’ make this work Or spend your days down in the dirt
My Ever Changing Moods (Lyrics) This was one of their more popular songs, getting some US airplay, but I have to admit I don't understand the appeal (apart from the excellent lyrics). The bubbly jazz/pop sound is typical of this phase in Weller's career and all too eighties for me.
Evil turns to statues - and masses form a line But I know which way I’d run to if the choice was mine The past is knowledge - the present our mistake And the future we always leave too late
Paul Weller struck out on his own after The Style Council ended, keeping some of the band members. He fused the clarity and intensity of The Jam with the sophistication of The Style Council, shifted the focus of his lyrics from current events to more general themes and greater personal reflection, and created a new and unique musical expression. Some additional songs from this period: Above the Clouds, You Do Something to Me, and Into Tomorrow.
Wild Wood (Info / Lyrics) Weller showcases his vocal range and power in this live version. The song has a measured tempo but moves through levels of intensity. Typical of his best solo work.
Climbing, forever trying Find your way out of the wild, wild wood Now there's no justice Only yourself that you can trust in
Brand New Start (Info / Lyrics) Introspective and earnest, this song would be unbearably saccharine in the hands of a lesser artist. Weller's quiet conviction gives it power. (Side note: the repetitive melody is quite similar to a tune by Arthur Lee, who has an odd and sad story.)
I'm gonna clean up my earth And build a heaven on the ground Not something distant and unfound But something real to me
Two bonus clips, both collaborations: the first (left) shows Oasis band members covering Carnation (TV intro lead-in) with Weller, the second (right) is a duet on Brother to Brother with Terry Callier.
