Paul Weller on SOLO CAREER & 'FAT POP' - “I Don’t Know If I Like The Stuff I Made Back Then…”

Paul Weller reflects on his solo career so far, the new album ‘Fat Pop’ and what he’s working on next.
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[@silvar4399]

Paul Weller, Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton each have the incredibly rare mix of originality, musicality and power. The jam was a 1 in a million.

[@nh1622]

I used to love Paul Weller BUT I'm tired of waiting for this man to grow up. He still f'ing sounds like a 13 year old school boy with no internal growth, even though he's been lucky enough to travel the best places in the world, work with the best musicians and music legends, his conversations lack any form of depth, passion or wisdom - little has changed in 50 years and I don't know if he's trying to stay relevant to the working classes but he hangs and lives around the Kings Road and Maida Vale - super posh areas, so why is this 'I haven't changed' façade necessary - its ingenuine. He's done so much drink and drugs that his voice is weakened, physique is that of a 90 year old man and so is his looks and skin (and he used to be one of the most beautiful men of his generation) and on top of that - like things could not get any worse - Jimmy Saville seems to be some sort of style icon now

[@philipdavison3862]

people get the wrong idea about chelsea,they watch that shit "made in chelsea",95% of those on that show don't even live in chelsea.i was born in cheelsea 1956,working class family,lived there for55 years,there are way more "poor"people living there than rich,i loved growing up there,have been friends with well known people of today,there are good and bad in every "class",don't think it is wrong to live in a nice area.

[@beetleything1864]

Ehm what should not go back to normal?

[@modernchampionmusic81]

Maybe working from home.. thats not thecworst thing.. don't have to see same bellends everyday..but yea apart from that..

[@adyseven1]

Style Council.... An arrogant vanity project. Sorry.... the only way I can describe it.

[@Slamit88]

Well....."Speak Like a Child" is a GREAT Track....the rest.....ahhhh not so much etc Ady!!.....

[@mart-to7kr]

If he did a tour with just the style council singles I’d go. At one point I owned every single the Jam released so I’ve been listening for a while.

[@Slamit88]

@@mart-to7kr NOTHING "Touches" his Jam Stuff though huh Gentlemen!!??....

[@bradbrad3937]

What a load of horse crap .. style council were his best period end of ..

[@mart-to7kr]

I think “Ever Changing in mood” “The Lodgers” and “Life At A Top People’s Health Farm” among his best still keeping some of the edge from the Jam days. Also helps if your from the Uk

[@EarthMagicBrno]

The Jam were amazing. weller on his own not so much.

[@dubtownman9508]

following this man since my early teens... 56 now...love how he's evolved as a songwriter and musician

[@douglasbatley1907]

Me too. I'm 56. Moved house recently , found my old " mods are fine in 79" badge. Brought a tear to my eye.

[@club_rock]

I LOVE THE JAM 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 IT S PURE MAGIC ⚡️⚡️⚡️ but The Style Council Was a horrible funk band 💩

[@club_rock]

HEY all you need is to buy a Ben Sherman Harrington jacket a Fred Perry Polo shirt and listen to The Jam all day 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@daljinac2]

@@douglasbatley1907 Me too i'm 49. and i living in Serbia

[@philruane5910]

The style council after the jam ❤️👍

[@jb8280]

As a devotee to Weller. From the Jam to Fat Pop(actually, his Suggs duet and Whoosh ep) I actually went back to see what I listen to the most out of his discography. His 1992 self titled solo album is the album I listen to by far. I know Wild Wood gets most of the attention, but his Weller album just works for me. From start to finish it’s a pleasure I never get tired of listening to. Wild Wood is in second place. Heliocentric is the album I find least interesting along with A Kind Revolution. I like the more upbeat aggressive and soulful Weller. Just my vibe. Play me Sunflower anytime and I’ll be a happy chappy. Bless you, Paul Weller. You are a gift to us all.

[@bollockchops]

Absolutely the best LP he's ever done ❤🇬🇧

[@DanA-zx8jc]

Deffo agree the first 92 solo album is his best for me , also i really loved the instrumental jazz funk interludes he used to pop in also , go to album

[@Jackie-ji2sj]

LOVE ALL THE JAM. LOVE FIRST HALF OF THE STYLE COUNCIL. BUT REALLY DONT LIKE THE SOLO STUFF. ❤

[@kevinwoodruff4252]

Paul is so chilled, love his honesty, and Fat Pop is an incredible album!

[@chicotheblue]

He's always at ease with Absolute Radio, good interview.

[@robertstraw9881]

Paul seems like a great guy.

[@makeyourself1988]

Stanley Road is in my top 5 albums of all time.

[@GT380man]

I agree it’s a beautiful album.

[@1878kevin]

Yeah it's basically flawless

[@mchops9898]

Yep superb album 💿

[@trtr9626]

I agree top 5 for me too

[@digadam]

Agree

[@alanwilkinson4080]

Simply a pleasure to listen to such an incredibly talented person who is both unpretentious and authentic.

[@davidbourne6478]

I am not a complete PW fan - prefer prog & classic rock - but Wild Wood is a masterpiece.

[@1878kevin]

believe it or not stanley road is as good if not better

[@PaulabJohnson]

I admire his honesty that some of his music is better than others. I can take or leave some of his stuff but for me the top 3 would be wildwood, Paul Weller and Stanley Road. That said, I wouldn't want all his albums to be clones of those and like the fact that he is constantly innovating and not standing still on his musical jorney. Long may he continue!

[@goops1071]

I preferred his stuff in the 00’s to the 10’s. But I think he felt more creative in the 10’s as he was trying new sounds & styles

[@carlgaisford361]

If you have seen him live then you no how he can make the hairs on your neck stand up

[@terryreknaw6152]

That'll be his Jimmy saville look

[@alfexsinosystems9205]

@@terryreknaw6152 😂

[@TheMusicalElitist]

@@terryreknaw6152 Still looks better than you.

[@noddyholder1151]

Let's NOT pretend, his music in recent years has been terrible! Same old weller, just gash tracks

[@PontiacS.]

Why does Paul have a Ladies Hair Cut? Seen The Jam on the last tour in 1982. Had ALL the records. Seen him Solo in 1993. These days I think Style Council was his Best work.

[@woofdog1525]

‘Strange Museum’ on his first solo album is an absolute masterpiece

[@edwardinho6185]

One of my favourite PW tracks for sure.

[@CyberPin2001]

Agree totally. I remember buying his first solo album as soon as it was released after the long gap of the Style Council disappearing. Was blown away by the fantastic sound, groove and vibe of that LP and especially loved Strange Museum. So unique. Was lucky enough to travel to Poole Dorset to see him live that same year and it was so good although he didn't play SM. Was good to see him perform it recently though at the orchestral Royal Festival gig.

[@1878kevin]

clues is a top track off the first album

[@EM-yk1dw]

Bull Rush, but you are right Clues and Strange Museum.

[@1878kevin]

Bull rushes as well that's a tune

[@gn841]

I love his music in the 2000s. Illumination is bright, alive, refreshing and As Is Now is a multifaceted trip though powerful melodies and powerful songs.

[@tanyafillbrook35]

Yes, great in Jam, newer stuff over the years proves his versatility. Such a talent to listen to.

[@colingeddes2172]

Hes had a great career as a solo artist, but thru my jam tinted spectacles, NOTHING will ever top what he did with the jam. LOVED the holy trinity.

[@xtstevie]

Wasn't mad on Sonic Kicks but every album since has been astonishing with in my opinion Saturns Pattern, On Sunset & Fat Pop up there with his very very best work & i honestly don't know how the mn does it when heroes of Paul's like Pete Townsend hasn't written a decent song since 1978!! What a legend.

[@RickyMacHatton]

Saturn’s pattern was immense.

[@honved1]

Why on earth would you think that? White City from 1985 has some great songs on it.

[@Mod-rw9cw]

@@honved1 1985 !!!!!!!

[@honved1]

@@Mod-rw9cw well its more recent than 1978 lol

[@MisAnnThorpe]

"Sonik Kicks" is probably my favourite of Weller's solo albums. I do think about half of "Saturn's pattern" is excellent though.

[@mondoenterprises6710]

Stop dreamin of the quiet life cuz it's the one you'll never know!

[@garymason204]

I really need to listen to Fat Pop, but still enjoying On Sunset. Mirror Ball and the title track are sublime. The guy's been so prolific recently, can't catch up!

[@antony9384]

Fat pop is awesome. Very different sound to on sunset

[@michaeljeffers6614]

That's what having a young, sexy woman when you're in your 60's will do for a man. ;)

[@mrdeafa25]

Hes a state. A great musician but a fucking state.

[@petercraven2451]

Best album to date lyrically instrumentally classic top man

[@a34rwl]

I think he"s looking at things through rose-tinted spoectacles.

[@ashab1]

Broken stones and a few others ;) personal all time favourite songs

[@Poetic_Justice1962]

You don't see him that often, but he's an icon somehow. His voice, his style, there's no comparison.

[@eggman1978]

Great guy really honest and down to earth pauls music is forever evolving through this amazing catalogue of music. Its refreshing to still have artists like this to keep what i call imo real music going. Looking forward to seeing you live in the near future. Respect

[@kevingoins9858]

The Jam is classic and edgy. The Style Council my personal fave.

[@janicesansby710]

Ive been a fan since I was 13, I loved his past music, way better than recent stuff

[@skyhawk747]

Huh? “It’s really nice to put a face to the music”

[@londoncalling1757]

Town called malice, what a song !

[@boozness1497]

Are you new here Paul ?

[@rnw2739]

The condescending meaning of that, I'm assuming, is to mention one of the most famous Jam tracks, you are new to the Weller fan base...🙄

[@londoncalling1757]

@@rnw2739 what are you , some sort of fan !

[@rnw2739]

@@londoncalling1757 Lol.... "The Jam is SOOOOOOOO mainstream.. True fans explore the deeper meanings in his more obscure tracks and marvel at the perfection of his Worzel Gummidge-esque hair do.." 😂😂

[@londoncalling1757]

@@rnw2739 lol , indeed you're just a little music snob ! Who thinks is an authority on everything Paul weller.

[@IWannatalkpodcast]

Love him but he looks like my exes grandma with shades on

[@JHallDaBoss]

Dude is such a legend.

[@formerlybernard6460]

Met him in London. Had a good 10 minute chat. Nice guy. Great songwriter. Love The Jam.

[@1878kevin]

music is vital to us but the Modfather is the fucking king

[@oppothumbs1]

Paul has done some great stuff. Like Graham Parker, he is greatly ignored in the US. I do not think he is too British to be accepted and understood by American audiences but maybe he is not easy to slot in some musical category (means nothing to me) . The only small problem I see in some of his songs is the volume of his voice is a tad low and sometimes the overall production is slightly low and murky. Now I often like murky and distortion (love the Replacements) but I sort of want a clearer sound from Paul. But still I would rank him in my top 75 all-time greats artists. My fav songs are Town called Malice, Eton rifles, My Everchanging moods, That's Entertainment. Always hearing a pretty good song I've never heard before..

[@QQRREE]

The first 3 solo albums are gold .But he does a brilliant interview . Does come over very shy thou .

[@jamescorlett5272]

Gotta admit left him in 82 - never meant anything anymore to me - ì remembechr thinking on hearing peacock suit and

[@dawnclaricoates8128]

Listened to Fat Pop 3 times today, Paul at his best x

[@robertopinci]

Just to answere to the titles....I loved all the music you made and I thank you for give me a great time in my young age

[@jackal58590]

Paul’s comment. Didn’t like the stuff I wrote back then! Some of Jams best music.Going underground ,Eton rifles etc etc .good Stuff Mr Weller.

[@danieleacquavera4107]

Is she aroused?

[@danieleacquavera4107]

@Paul Weller 😉 See ya in Milano with the whole family 👪

[@danieleacquavera4107]

@Paul Weller Thanks! I've been a fan for more than 30 years... It's gonna be my 9 years old son's first concert ever 😉 He firmly believes that Paul will dedicate him his favourite song during the gig cos he'll be able to meet him before just like I did a long time ago 😀 😉

[@knockedoutloaded279]

He's good all the way through; can't wait to see him in Bath........

[@TheOptimod]

Presenter mic sounds horrible, saliva clicking galore and too breathy.

[@matthewsmith-rm6qc]

The style council did it for me.

[@carldyson9342]

The jam

[@stopout03]

Well Said Style Council.... Apart from..."Vote Labour"overtones.. "The Walls come Tumbling down " Yes They have. And The Wheels have come off too....

[@stopout03]

Champagne Socialist..at hes very best..

[@newforestpixie5297]

The world got slightly less predictable for me when I heard him on Desert Island Discs 25 years ago undecided on whether he loved Nick Drakes’ music more than Steve Marriott. He needed 15 seconds to think which he would take to his Desert Island. As him above suggests ,Weller probably DOES have a Desert Island 😂

[@klee4969]

Seeing him instantly I remember the song .... 'Speak lika an A child'...! Great song by Paul & team

[@BarriosGroupie]

A breath of fresh air compared to someone thick and dull, but over confident, like say Noel Gallagher.

[@divad2332]

Saw him at the Palladium in London. Good stuff

[@hankmccardy3761]

worryingly sporting a 'Jimmy Saville' look....

[@ryanbrownnew]

hows about that then?

[@1878kevin]

that has honestly been on my mind as well i wanted to tell him on instagram paul you look like jimmy fucking saville but didnt have the nerve after all he is the Modfather

[@PaulLawrence1972]

Now then now then @Hank McCardy

[@hughdixon752]

I thought it to.

[@davidgoldsbrough2992]

Dont talk shite

[@martinpaxton3105]

Paul Weller - Style Icon, musical genius, political pygmy.

[@mycool8357]

As is now. Is amazing I can’t believe he doesn’t like that period. Illumination is also good as it’s very different and acoustic and kinda chilled!

[@captainshivers]

Nice interview. Paul seems in a good place. Well rested and bitting the bit to stut his stuff! Thank goodness for real talent, Inspiration and aspiration by anyone at such a developed stage in any career on earth!

[@aarontrigg9463]

I love Paul Weller

[@peteraustinnoto142]

KRAKEN MOTTO if you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough it will be believed

[@Lennonlover06]

That's goebbels' motto

[@Kashoo-n5r]

England, I love you. The only country on earth where to talk about pop music is still just about that, the music.

[@jonathanhadley2555]

Tory ministers telling you to retrain...........

[@jonathanhadley2555]

@@hkpr-ro6ui Wasnt that what Weller said about Tory ministers telling us to retrain eh?!

[@1878kevin]

i am English thank you for the compliment as a music fan it's the only thing worth caring about anymore all our countries are run by selfish greedy power mad insane fornicators.anyway thank you

[@Kashoo-n5r]

​@@yvonneclarke9910 Me too. I lived in the UK for a couple of years, and I am a former literature student. I lived in Manchester as well as Edinburgh, and I'm a big admirer of Mrs. Gaskell and Anthony Burgess, as well as Sir Walter Scott and Ian Rankin:) Yvonne Clarcke? Bless you :)

[@TheMusicalElitist]

@@1878kevin You’re so English, you can’t even type the language 😂😂😂

[@Ianjowett1]

a lifelong fan of pauls music i had you do something for the music of my moms funeral .

[@glennoc8585]

I loved the Jam not do much the style council probably too political and big sound. In saying that I like long hot summer. The new music I'm liking.

[@grahamthegardener1]

The Jam were great ,,But his solo stuff leaves me cold, a bit like Absolute radio really

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

Wishing Paul, the missus & kids all the best ❤️ with LoVe , from 🇺🇸

[@mod0049]

Best writing was the Jam, solo career brill but lately the new slow stuff vocal seems flat to me sometimes out of tune ,he has changed his vocal and sounds unnaturally coloured, paul use your singing voice dont change it.

[@thomasjcox]

First 5 albums were masterpieces.

[@thebeatlesandoasis05]

Of his solo career?

[@jackiewilson7332]

Nothing can touch all mod cons

[@mondoenterprises6710]

Beat Surrender!

[@Giovanniditessitore]

He's so wise and mellow now 😌

[@BladeV8]

Who's the lass? I don't listen to Absolute much, but that was really well done. I was really impressed with a young guy interviewing Nicky Wire on here too.

[@lovemykiss9]

I believe her name is Danielle Perry. She also does a morning show on Jazz FM.

[@silentfox1738]

we are the mods and forever will be

[@garypearce3534]

Just a genius.

[@carolinecoffey5404]

My hero always and forever💕

[@anthonykerr311]

Mod for it 😜

[@corneliusantonius3108]

DO SOME SYMPHONIC METAL PAUL WELLER !!!

[@MrVanalen]

What’s going on ?silverstone had 160 thousand people crammed together in stands?but you can’t have gigs?WTF

[@jonathanhadley2555]

Talking of which I wonder if Weller will follow Ian Brown's view on the vaxed gigs....!

[@GT380man]

The answer is that there is no unusual hazard in our environment, except the vaccines & government policy.

[@jonathanhadley2555]

@@GT380man To start with these emergency vaxes were meant to be for the the vunerable & those deemed to be at risk...But now they seem hell-bent on everyone having them.........

[@neilherring]

She says, 'its nice to put a face to the music'. Has she never seen him before???

[@robertstraw9881]

I think it’s just her being a little nervous to meet someone she admires.

[@nickjones3600]

Top geezer!..✊😎

[@quicksite]

Ha hah, turnabout is fair play: I have absolutely no idea who this interviewer is, I'm sure she's very good if she's been behind that mic for 20 years, so my view is "hey pretty nice of you to finally get around to Paul". I've been following Paul since the jam, and unlike the fashionable thing to say, I adored his Style Council work especially when it was played live in huge concerts. The man is a beast playing live! it's astonishing how many times he's reinvented himself. I have to be honest, this person didn't really demonstrate any specific knowledge of Paul and his career, moreso mostly generalities like "music during covid", "music in the noughties" and when she referred to album Sunset it was only by way of "when i was checking the logs". I always find such wisdom in Paul's interviews as others have stated. He's never lost his working class roots and life sensibility. I love that his father was his manager for so long. (Is he still??). Even here in this intervew where there's very little being offered by the person with all her shiny gear, other than fairly paint by numbers typical questions, Paul had his usual close focus on what was being asked, and completely original as always answers. I liked a lot of the Sunset album; Fat Pop was fascinating to listen to as it was being slowly rolled out, but the only song I really enjoy in my playlists is Glad Times. And watching Paul & band performing that live was so moving! I have to go back and watch which keyboards he used; he still likes to play Mellotron but i'm going to guess it was a Fender Rhodes.

[@kevcatnip7589]

what a lovely guy

[@txastube]

💕

[@tuffgonggbUNCTION]

SOULJAH ROCKER

[@XDV595K]

God bless him. A fine man. xxx

[@RollrightKnights]

Looks like Savile 😬

[@stevenpaulgoulding]

It looks nothing like him. 🤔

[@rodneyhurst6019]

Looking forward to his Filmore show in San Francisco.

[@johnnyconnelly7278]

20 years behind a microphone? How the fk did she pull that off? That woman,her clacky voice and her questions are beyond bland and everything that's wrong with radio.For Christ sake!.. ask him something interesting or intelligent or different..

[@clarkrobertson6816]

One love and divine blessings brother Paul too concious for them bro ❤

[@MA_808]

If he had not have left the Jam he would be doing self-tribute shows like the Stones in casinos worldwide

[@martineyles]

I liked heliocentric and saturns pattern, but I find the stuff in between, not bad as such, but forgettable. He is right at the end when he says we need music.

[@stevetodd5820]

Get The Jam Back Together

[@stevenpaulgoulding]

The Jam should stay in the late 70s and early 80s. There should be more young talent inspired by the likes of the Jam.

[@andyandrea5968]

Lot of respect for Paul still being here and doing what he does. Doesn't need to have a blueprint and just go with the flow.

[@markriobr]

Many people here keep saying after The Jam all or most he did was crap . He was not even 20 at the time , he was growing as a person and musician . Was great sure , now came the 80's and that kind of mellow punk rock was dying . He is a great singer , songwriter and very low profile man . .

[@nattyboyo2404]

Never noticed how similar Liam Gallagher is to this guy. Wouldn't be surprised if he models his most recent interviewee persona on Paul.

[@tylerbest2627]

haha some announcer on a radio station feels slighted because in twenty years she has only just met Paul Weller and the poor bastard just has to sit there and pretend that's some major indignity imposed by the universe or at least forces outside his control when the reality is who gives a f***

[@hunterhthompson9340]

Jimmy saville ?

[@stevenpaulgoulding]

What about Savile?

[@RoseberrySt74]

I just love listening to him in interviews. .

[@TheScotteps]

I love Illuminations..nice mix of intimate and rockers.

[@matthewbullock8984]

As Is Now is a classic PW album from that period

[@peteraustinnoto142]

Ah the singer fro. The jam early mtv

[@xvola6888]

I thought Jimmy was dead

[@kolumbijcan]

such a nice guy too, paul

[@fuzmaginty5822]

the jam all day

[@prestidigitation2301]

Kick out The Jam, bring Back The Style…..