Paul Weller has been described as “one of the most revered music writers and performers of the past 30 years”. Known affectionally as ‘the Modfather’, the entire ‘Britpop’ movement owes him a huge debt – his influence particularly noticeable in bands such as Blur and Oasis. For someone so influential and critically acclaimed, Weller is surprisingly little known outside England. One possible explanation is his deep-rooted focus on English life, his lyrics reflecting his working-class upbringing particularly during his early years with ‘The Jam’.
Weller’s career can be divided into three distinct phases. ‘The Jam’ (1976-82). His second band ‘The Style Council’ (1983-89) and his solo career (1990 -). Most notable here is his 1995 landmark album ‘Stanley Road’, named after the street in Woking where he grew up.
Filmed at the Royal Festival Hall in London, this track ‘Wild Wood’ shows what an accomplished lyricist Weller is. For all I have said of his Englishness, this performance reminds us that truly great art transcends place to become universal. Backed by an orchestra of Syrian musicians the power of this classic is given added poignancy…and magic.
Wild Wood
High tide – mid-afternoon
People fly by in the traffics boom
Knowing – where you’re blowing
Getting to where you should be going.
Don’t let them get you down
Making you feel guilty about
Golden rain bring you riches
All the good things – you deserve now.
Climbing forever trying
Find your way out – of the wild wild wood
Now there’s no justice
There’s only yourself – that you can trust in
And I said – high tide mid-afternoon
People fly by in the traffics boom
Knowing – just where you’re blowing
Getting to where you should be…
