Paul Weller and The Art of Constant Change

WORDS BY CHARLIE GLADSTONE

As we start to explore various corners of culture, nature, food, craft and wellness on these pages and in these newsletters, it will take us a little time to understand what interests you, dear reader. 

I often think that an enthusiast can make almost anything seem interesting if they care enough. And so here I’m going to deploy my enthusiasm here in order to touch on a cultural figure that you’ve probably largely forgotten about, but whose work you will have definitely connected with at some point in your life.

Anyway, first.

I am fascinated by change; how we keep moving forward, why we must do. And, of course, the consequences of not doing so because inertia  leads to painful and slow death.

To set the scene.

A new 770 page book Paul Weller: Dancing Through Fire, recently kept me enthralled for days, and it reminded me of what I had forgotten; that Weller is one of Britain’s greatest ever songwriters; and that he has continued to churn out hits for five (five!) decades. He’s in that very rare group of writers to have number 1 albums in five decades. 

As such I’d like to propose that he’s as important as The Beatles or Stones. 

There are two things that really stand out in this book.

#1.
There’s Weller’s constant embracing of change; he has a restless desire to move forward. I’ll come to that in a  moment. 

#2.
And then there’s the suggestion that he is, truly, one of the greats.

Let’s start here.

I loved the Jam and Style Council, though at the time it felt as if my entire generation did. They were huge, as much a part of British culture in the 1970s and ‘80s as any pop artist has ever been. 

The Jam were everyone’s -every man’s, every woman’s- band and, as such, much more authentic than the Art School contrivance of The Clash or Sex Pistols (great bands, but only a capital city could sire them). When The Clash were conquering America with the ghastly chugging Rock the Casbah or Should I Stay…, The Jam were endlessly refining their sound and making every single a number 1 in the UK. The Jam were from Woking, but it could have been any town and that was a big part of their appeal.

Then came the brilliant Style Council. So fresh, so cool, so original and what amazing songs.

I really enjoyed early parts of Weller’s solo career -Stanley Road and Wild Wood are terrific albums- but then my interest slightly waned. 

It wasn’t you Paul, it was me. 

This book explains that all you wanted was to do was to try something different with every record; your main interest is simply music for music’s sake, and as an evangelist for the art and not money, you try to never repeat yourself. 

Credit where it’s due. 

Dancing Through Fire, which is an oral history catalysed by a podcast, is exhaustive, moreish, incredibly thorough and for me, massively nostalgic. In chronological order it follows Weller’s career through the voices of those that have worked with/known him best. I was amazed by how much I enjoyed the book; I mean, yes, I was a fan, but this is very long and, as I say, I kind of thought I wasn’t that interested any more.

But I was and this is why.

Here are a few amazing things about Paul Weller.

First,
he has had hit after hit after hit. 

As far as I can see, in his various incarnations he’s had over 75 hit singles, maybe closer to 80. He doesn’t touch Elvis or Madonna for Top 10s, but he is certainly right up there in terms of total numbers. This illustrates graphically what a significant cultural icon he is.

Second,
he has had these hits in three different incarnations. This is incredibly rare, though not unprecedented (step forward Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood, Norman Cook and a few others).

Change is a constant theme here. One of the amazing things is that he split up The Jam at the peak of their powers when he was only 24, then started The Style Council who though completely different, became even bigger. Then he stopped The Style Council and briefly fell off the cultural radar. But four years later he was back, again massive, again with a different sound, look and attitude.

He is the very definition of ‘for everything to remain the same, everything must change” (Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, The Leopard). This is my mantra for business -for life even- and it’s clearly Weller’s.

To remain successful, relevant, you must keep on changing.

Third,
as I briefly touch on above, within these different phases of his career -these different monikers- Weller endlessly changes his look, wider visuals and sound. Some iterations of the music work better than others, but I can only think of David Hockney as a British cultural figure who evolves his art form so confidently and regularly. This makes him so much more interesting than almost any other musician of his cultural clout.

This bears a little further consideration. 

At the time, splitting up The Jam seemed crazy, but on reflection it was so clever; he not only recognised the need for change but had the courage to affect it. The alternative was to fade from the public consciousness and become a heritage band. 

Change is necessary every day and it’s best to make it when you don’t think it’s necessary. So, Paul Weller reminds us of a vital life lesson. And then, as if to prove his point, he keeps on doing it, well into his sixties.

Fourth,
Paul Weller is a family business. Until his death his father managed him. His sister and mother have always been intimately involved too, initially running his fan club from their home in Woking. It’s clear from reading the book that most people that encountered John, his father, were scared of him but liked and respected him.

So, yes, I think he’s important, I think he’s amazing and if you have an interest in contemporary culture then I recommend this book.

Finally, two things.

About ten years ago I was going down the escalator at Charing Cross one weekday, mid morning. There was no one else on my side and one person on the other, going up. It was Paul Weller. Luckily, I had my wits about me and said:

“Excuse me Paul. Thank you for all of the amazing music.”

He looked at me, put his thumb up and said,

“You’re welcome, mate.”

That was it. Perfection. 

Oddly, I’ve seen him around a few times since. He came into our shop in Notting Hill once or twice, and I walked past him on the street last month, but I have never said anything else because that moment was so good.

And…

Thankless, nerdy, possibly impossible task alert. My favourite ever Weller songs, in no order.

The Style Council.
Long Hot Summer.

The Style Council.
You’re The Best Thing.

The Style Council.
Come To Milton Keynes.

The Jam.
Town Called Malice.

The Jam.
That’s Entertainment.

The Jam.
Down in the Tube Station at Midnight.

The Jam.
Saturday’s Kids.

Paul Weller.
Broken Stones.

Paul Weller.
Wild Wood.

Paul Weller.
Broken Stones.

Extra Bonus Track:
Changingman.