Probably The Best Band In The World - The Style Council DOCUMENTARY

[@nitedreamer23]

I'm blown away by this. It obviously shows tons of research, writing, and editing. Remarkably well-done. Us TSC fans are like a strange cult who tell everybody about their brilliance while secretly acknowledging their flaws. For your efforts, I wish this had a million views. Many thanks from a dedicated fan.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@thesuncollective1475]

Yes I agree. I just rediscovered them. Paul is up there with Stevie and Prince in the sense that he mixed up genres. Yeah sometimes the experiment didn’t work but oh when it did it was orgasmic 😮

[@Mrshereforethemusic]

I was 16 when I discovered TSC back in 1983. Growing up in East Germany behind the iron curtain TSC quickly became a symbol of the best of Western culture for me. I loved the fashion approach and the brass line ups! Shout to the top was a survival song to me. In 2003 I shared a beer with Mick Talbot backstage after the DMR concert, as DMR was my second 80s Britpop love. Forever grateful for that moment. Today I play My ever changing moods on my piano at least once every day. Thanks for this great research and brilliant narration. Will send the link to my kids. ❤

[@aurorabath]

I am sooooo glad that I came across this video oh my gosh, it is taking me back... I loved the style council in real-time. Like we're talking when the albums actually came out! And I was in college, I adored them Can't emphasize that enoug, I felt like I was trying to live My life as a member of TSC. Always wanted to do music like theirs, Because I love the whole pop and r&b influence But with these socially conscious and intelligent lyrics. It's just brilliant, it's so en capsulated my everything at that time. unfortunately, my best friend who I share the love of style council with passed away from AIDS in the. Early 90s very sad, but I'm glad to find other people who still not only remember them but cherish them. Thank you again!❤❤❤

[@dillinger5043]

Ive been a fan since 83…great stuff that stands up now.

[@kyleericson9777]

Saw The Style Council twice when they came to America… both times they were a total snooze except when they played ‘The Big Boss Groove’. Couldn’t believe it was the same Paul Weller that wrote all those great Jam songs (also saw them a couple of times when they came to America). TSC wouldn’t make my top 100 bands, let alone #1 but to each his own.

[@jameshutchins8252]

Why no mention of "You're The Best Thing"? One of the Council's biggest hits, and an iconic song from the 1980s.

[@BestFriendsGang]

The video would be two hours long if I mentioned every song they did. But I think I concentrated more on the political songs since they fit with my narrative of the group being of the times. Were I to revisit this doc I'd probably talk more about the pop stuff. Thanks for watching.

[@edwinreid8355]

That's probably my favourite Style Council song. Such cool vibes.

[@andrewmcguinness83]

This absolutely nails what the band were about and why they are so special.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks!

[@Dilydaydream1]

Its 2024 and im off to see Weller in Dublin next week. He has been constantly in my life since i was 8. Now in my 50s.

[@michaelreddington1234]

Weller, as strictly a lyricist, throughout this period was absolutely incredible

[@BestFriendsGang]

Definitely his best period for songwriting.

[@michaelreddington1234]

@@BestFriendsGang “For Liberty there is a cost, it’s broken skull and leather cosh”

[@brianhill3850]

My ever changing mood is gold...like driving down the freeway in the summer time with the top down.

[@johanechavarriamoreno3903]

Which version would you like prefer? I'm still completely in love by the album version

[@RichJCW]

Wow, I'm amazed to read so many positive comments from people in the USA about your fantastic video. I've always thought that Paul Weller wasn't all that well known in the US (even though he's a legend over here in the UK). Many people in the UK seem to feel that the Style Council era was his weaker period but it's always been my favourite - I think his work with the Style Council is very underrated.

[@michaelburbank2276]

I'm American and I've loved style council since the 80s

[@serenaym3974]

I'm a Mexican and also have loved TSC since the early 80s

[@markmasterson4811]

Long hot summer was the soundtrack to my love affair that year which brought me marriage and joy. I loved Paul weller's work both jam, style council and solo (look out for changing man, it's great) he has kept the principles of his youth and remains a force in music.

[@codzy3532]

played that song on a record player back in the day........didnt know my cousin was listening to it he said to me can you play that again still a brilliant song

[@kennethkauzlaric8948]

Growing up in a small town in the Midwest, SC was my savior from mediocrity. I bought "Cafe Bleu" when in came out and never looked back. But I have say, "Confessions" is still my favorite. Also, "Home & Abroad" is a great live album...if you can find it.

[@mathiasjonsson8222]

I bought Home and Abroad on release. Still have it. Im rich 😂

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

Agreed- great live album

[@HappyTyke25]

Although "The Jam" was arguably Wellers most successful period or most popular. I much prefer personally, the soulful sound of the Style Council. I still listen to them now, long hot summer takes me straight back to my teens. Love it.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Yeah, I love a lot of The Jam's output, and I think it still holds up. Just got a soft spot for the Council's take on soul. Thanks for watching.

[@blehoo1]

Great band who were far more musically sophisticated than The Jam but I guess that wasn't what The Jam were really all about and it was exactly what The Style Council were. Weller's songwriting longevity and ability to write music across a raft of different genres puts him up there with the best these Isles have had to offer over the last 60 years. For me Our Fav Shop was the high point with the track Man Of Such Great Promise my personal fav.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Absolutely. Man of Great Promise is in my top 3 TSC songs.

[@gmantramp404]

They were different than the Jam That's about it tho 👍 Certainly more boring than the Jam were 🤘🤘👍👍😂😂

[@skip728]

This video is incredible. One of the most well thought out music mini docs I’ve ever seen. It should be put in a time capsule along with the entire Weller catalog. Kudos, my dude!

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thank you! Lots of time and effort went into it. Love that band.

[@codzy3532]

my fav style council songs.......cost of loving, waiting, it didnt matter, long hot summer, angel, walking the night you do something to me frickin brilliant band

[@briankennedy1192]

I was driving along when I was 16 in a car I didn't know unlicensed and Speak Like A Child came on I nearly slid of the road. What a magic tune. Huge Weller fan , Sydney Australia.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for watching and drive safe.

[@ccsmith1782]

Probably the best band review in the world

[@alansharpe2577]

I cant stand the total bollocks that most of The Jam fans hated the Style Council. Fuckin luddites. If you were a proper mod and a Jam fan back then, you instantly fell in love with the pure modernist leanings of the Style Council. It was more MOD than The fucking Jam ever was. Also you could see the way Paul was going with The Gift, the last The Jam album - it wasn't that much of a big jump in my eyes. BTW I love The Jam but as a young mod back then I waas absolutely souled on The Style Council. And Cafe Bleu is as Mod as it gets. This my only criticism of your work here and its a tiny criticism. Nice documentary

[@BestFriendsGang]

Is your tiny criticism that The Jam were already headed in that direction with The Gift? I do address that in a recent video where I talk about the Beat Surrender EP: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4rIiZqNgpKJjMU

[@cannyvalley]

Great video, thank you! I feel honored that you screenshotted my (heavenonfire) annotation on the Cost of Loving from the Genius lyrics website. Paul Weller is on my Mt. Rushmore of all time greats, right there next to Brian Wilson and Neil Young. Artists whose work I have great difficulty finding anything not to like.

[@alihart]

Great work - some excellent insights and spot on about their strengths and weaknesses

[@oliverrickard9970]

But even Paul's dad, said the jam were "the best fuckin band in the world!". He new the style council wernt gonna take off as much and the jam were always superior. But nevertheless the syle Council were good.

[@SeanDadler]

The amount of gratitude I have towards this man cannot be put into words. Before I saw this video I knew of the style council but nothing else besides long hot summer. But when I watched this video for the first time it truly gave me the drive to listen to them. And now they’re probably my favorite band of all time.

[@BestFriendsGang]

That warms my cold, cold heart. What's your favorite song thus far in your journey?

[@SeanDadler]

@@BestFriendsGang at this very moment probably the super early version of the Paris match where paul sings the second part in French. But overall its probably a four way tie between Boy who cried wolf, Walking the night, life at a top people’s health farm, and how she threw it all away. It really truly hard to pick though because the only song the style council has made that I don’t truly enjoy is money go round. Besides that though I’ve enjoyed every song I’ve listened to over the past 6 ish months.

[@SeanDadler]

Oh yeah and home breakers

[@kaori-himawari]

l am a Japanese and became a new fan of them in 2023. I didn't know about this band till now. My Music life turned brighter than before✨I will listen to their music from now on. Thank you very much from Japan Tokyo🇯🇵

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for watching!

[@roganroberts8789]

I would say The Style Council were far more of a "Mod" band than The Jam were - even though The Jam were central to the late 70's mod revival, The Style Council were far more in tune with the mindset that mod was supposed to be about - Rising above your trappings both physically and mentally. It was a more sophisticated and cool outlook, a broader range of influences from jazz, soul, rock and pop, nods to poetry, art, French New-wave Cinema, the Beat Movement....this portrayed a more individualistic and knowingly cool demeanour.

[@tonyefc8423]

Paul Weller and the Style Council were producing beautiful music 83-88. The problem was young people lacked musical taste, and chose o buy shite like Wham, Nik Kershaw, Howard Jones, George Michael. I was 20 in 1983. Going home and away supporting Everton, wearing all the latest gear, listening to the Style Council/Jam stuff. Great days. I looked down my nose at Wham fans. To this day, I own everything Paul Weller has recorded, I think. I am lucky enough to be seeing Paul live again, in November in Liverpool. Thank God, before one of us carks it! Well you have to be realistic.

[@brianvanvriends]

Excellent band, Weller is a genius.

[@yokosomike]

"Dropping bombs" is a jazz term for jazz drummers... "White House" meaning "Whitey's House"... Steve White... no political meaning was meant just having fun with the title of a song.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Great info! Wish I'd come across that in my research. Thanks for sharing.

[@manolokonosko2868]

The first song of theirs I ever heard was from a live version of “My Ever Changing Moods” featured on a mix live radio show on a now defunct radio station from Long Island, NY. That show introduced me to a world of new music I still enjoy today. I bought the album and have been a fan of the band since then. It’s a pity they had to end, but better that than to be the KISS or The Rolling Stones of today.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Absolutely. A finite existence is perfectly acceptable, even preferable, in the world of pop music.

[@craigpatchett3508]

I miss the “Dare to be Different” days from that Long Island radio station!

[@coimbralaw]

It truly angers me how underrated this band and Paul Weller are.

[@digiface]

from in the city to heavy soul I'd totally agree. Per song basis after that

[@paulmcgrath6118]

Paul weller is hugely famous , the jam were massive. Stop using the word underrated so much

[@BestFriendsGang]

I think people assume since he's not well known in the states that Weller is underrated. But that's why I threw in that footage of him getting that award sitting next to Adele. He's well celebrated in Great Britain and a lot of Western Europe.

[@nasdkhan254]

They dated badly . I saw them Brixton Academy . Drummer was good

[@kenrehill8775]

They/he weren’t at all underrated. Those that knew, knew. Those that, didn’t missed out.

[@bettiblu6657]

...not only probably ;)) ... and still in love with PW's music 💗

[@jonokoni2964]

Bravo, and Confessions is indeed TSC's masterpiece.

[@bioveraorganics4369]

Awesome job. The Style Council was ahead of their times for sure. Their music still sounds great today, especially the jazz, soulful tunes.

[@trashj8778]

I've never given much time to Weller outside of The Jam, have added a bunch of Style Council to my playlist, thanks Josh for widening my horizons

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for watching, friend.

[@tlewis84able]

I just saw the Long Hot Summers doc and fell back in love with TSC. Went hunting around KZbin to find more. Thanks for putting this together! Really great job.

[@DJNeilyT]

Nice documentary, I listen to Confessions more than any of the other albums as well. There's a great depth to it.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Agreed-it's get my vote for their high water mark

[@nigelfelixcheongde2980]

Confessions - a proper modern classic.

[@msbear7698]

Thank you for putting into words with sensational sounds and visuals, my last two years during covid when I took a KZbin wormhole with earphones and discovered a reminiscent journey into what I fully believe to be the best band in my life time (x gener)

[@BestFriendsGang]

You're very welcome.

[@gordonkeltie400]

I played cafe bleu till it was worn out. That album takes me to a different place. I loved the Jam but for me TSC and all the different genres they dipped into was brilliant.

[@SteveMatheson-w2y]

Was a huge fan of the Council back in the day and having followed Weller since The Jam I can confidently say that TSC represents his finest body of work. Just a couple of points. The SC politics were very much "of their era" and for a main stream "pop" act to release overtly political material, well, that just wouldn't happen today, in the UK at least. However, Weller was never comfortable with the whole "spokesman of a generation" label he was given and although TSC did contribute to political causes - Red Wedge being the highest profile - they were never easy bed-fellows. Billy Bragg, had to talk Weller into that and sharing a platform with actual politicians, in my opinion, remains something he's not comfortable with. The attacks on their look and clothes only serve to illustrate the ignorance of the music press. If they knew anything about the past they'd surely realise that the look was Mod and Mod was working class. The British Working Class have always cared about looking smart and on trend. TSC gave Mod a new spin. Thanks for highlighting "Confessions" - it's the hidden gem in the entire Weller catalogue and that is a considerable body of work now! ""Shop" is more famous, "Confessions" is golden! This is a very impressive piece of work and I enjoyed it very much!!

[@BestFriendsGang]

Was pleased Paul turned down a CBE in 2007. Lending your name and status to politicians is one thing, but being in bed with the monarchy is quite another. Thanks for the kind words.

[@thesingingaccountant1]

Weller had a musical comeback in the 90s and got lumped into the dadrock movement which ideolises 60s rock. People forget who the jam and style council were musically adventurous and also lyrically interesting - doing songs about racist comedians and concentration camps. Even when they fail or veer into naffness theyre never boring

[@glicmathan1771]

The Cost of Loving is an incredible album! Forget all the negativity out there over TSC. And yes, Confessions is incredible! I was so happy when he’d play Deep Sea during early solo gigs. Great min documentary! Cheers!

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for the view and the comments

[@inky4763]

I agree with you (and for the same reasons), Confessions is their best album. I guess that's what happens when you get old.

[@Mod-rw9cw]

They were good but never really excited me as much as The Jam did . For me it was all about the live performances and the passion and TSC never got anywhere near The Jam on that level .I saw both bands live on several occasions.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Fair.

[@jennenz2112]

Thank you so much for this video! I always thought The Jam was what a new wave/punk band should be, TSC was what a pop band should be, and Paul Weller is a singer/songwriter should be: always looking forward, a true MOD.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Well put! I'm a fan of his work with both groups and a lot of his solo output. To still be relevant as an artist at this point in his career is a testament to Weller's strength as a songwriter.

[@silviapini4372]

Loved it, especially the Confessions analysis, and comparison to the Beach Boys work, very interesting 👏🏻

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks!

[@TheTomnom]

BB again!!! They get trotted out as a comparison to every British band 🤮

[@TheTomnom]

They were ludicrously even compared to The Beatles

[@darrenleiberman6250]

I'm annoyed that it's taken me 3 years to discover this piece of work. It has at its core a major flaw, it's about an hour too short. Beautifully done mate. I've been a Weller fan since 1978. I was hugely into the Jam and was bereft when Paul called it quits when they were at the top [which was the point of course]. But when Inroducing and then Cafe Bleu came along I understood. I never had a problem with the transition. This is great stuff thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Very sweet of you to say. Thanks for the kind words and for watching this (too short) tribute to the band.

[@sterlingmarshel6299]

As an American living in London in the early 80’s I listened to the style council and carried my passion back(and Introducing the style council album) to US. Next month I am fortunate that PW will be playing in my city of Seattle. Can’t wait. Shout out to on sunset another Weller gem

[@speakertreatz]

thanks very much for uploading, I really enjoyed it

[@thesingingaccountant1]

Great video - deserves far more views i hope its a grower. This band should have been huge

[@joevdb]

Well done! Agree they are massively underrated. And that Confessions is a terrific album. Nothing matches the supreme excellence of Our Favorite Shop / Internationalists (US release name). In the US Paul Weller didn't have the baggage of the Jam to weigh down perceptions of TSC, but the social commentary is almost never understood in the states (see "Born in the USA") - we deny we have class distinctions. Still, the cool kids all loved Cafe Bleu and most got off the train after Favorite Shop. TSC wasn't playing by the same rules in the mid-80s, so it was hard to fit them into an MTV category. My fave songs: Homebreakers, Come to Milton Keynes, Lodgers, Paris Match, Changing of the Guard, but at least half their songs are can't-stop-until--hear-the-end-of-this. Tip for another band that didn't fit into categories, but was brilliant over a long extended period: Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

[@days0fspeed]

Great watch - nice work.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks, Marc!

[@sicks6six]

seen the jam in 77 then TSC in 84 on the pyramid stage and they were chalk and cheese, both great but TSC had that wall of sound, plus Weller had matured as lyricist, he wasn't as in your face as he had been with the jam he let you work the message out for your self while listening to some great sounds,

[@BestFriendsGang]

Yep, both were great. I'm very envious of your seeing both in their heyday

[@mplsmark222]

I have loved SC since the late 80’s. All of the political stuff of the Thatcher years went over my head. I just thought the writing, musicianship and production values were great. That was good enough for me! I could not agree more that SC were a great band and sorry they ran out of momentum. But that is the beauty of recorded music, so what if it is 30 years old we can still hear it, and it still sounds great. Thanks for the documentary.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thank you for your comments.

[@beetleything1864]

Weller did Move on up with The Jam first.

[@BestFriendsGang]

This is true.

[@LloydGutteridge]

Thank you for this. Having lived in the UK during the Jam's and Style council's heyday in the 1980's, this tribute brought a number of great memories and some not so great memories (mostly the Thatcher Government. The Style Council were never fully appreciated but I remember their support of the Miners' strike of 1984-85. The strike was one of the darkest and socially divisive chapters in post war British history. mr Weller is truly a man full of principle which is needed more than ever today

[@BestFriendsGang]

You're welcome-and thanks for watching.

[@bonbonbonbons]

Came back to see this video and sorted by new, and wow, thats a lot of bitter haters. Probably one of those people that cried like hell when the Jam broke up and has never recovered ever since. Personally I think breakup of the Jam was a necessary evil and very much inevitable. If it had not broken up it would have been described as a zombie band, so the breakup would have cemented its legacy. Horrible words, how about this: get off while they were still peaking. Nobody knows if it would have ended like the Rolling Stones, but given the tension between the three during the gift it was bound to happen anyway. Best case scenario they would just replace one of the members. Anyway it's probably the best band in the world. The promotional adverts that advertised the band's albums used that slogan to echo out Carlsberg.

[@Jackie-ji2sj]

FIRST YEARS, 83 TO 86 WERE THE BEST YEARS, AFTER THAT IT WAS DOWNHILL RAPIDLY ENDING WITH THE TRULY DREADFUL UNRELEASED HOUSE LP. POLYDOR WAS RIGHT ✅️ ABOUT THAT AWFUL LP. ❤ STILL THE FIRST 8 SINGLES WERE EXCELLENT ❤

[@justinparkerthewildwolf6394]

I found a copy of confessions on vinyl years ago .I really connected with it as a beautiful, sophisticated peice of work .

[@kevinmassey7675]

To think that album was only 11 years on from In The City , proves what a continuously evolving artist Weller is/was

[@oliverwittofficial4997]

I love The Cost Of Loving! To me, it is a perfect album, timeless.

[@darrylwalker1867]

As the fellow in the record store so eloquently puts it, “fucking great”.

[@mediasurfer]

This video was made with a lot of love, respect, passion & research. At 17 I already was a huge Council fan back in 1983. There is no other documentary that summarizes the spirit of the band better than this. Thank you for creating such a timeless memorial to the band!

[@BestFriendsGang]

I appreciate the comments. It was certainly a labor of love. Thanks for watching.

[@tednorton5150]

When my Mom was dying in 1979 I found myself napping in my uncle's basement and perusing a variety of 1960s artefacts he had stored there. I realized I would always be in love with the 1960s. Thus I was a Style Council fan in waiting.

[@BestFriendsGang]

I lost my mom a few months after having made this doc. She was never in any condition to see or understand it (dementia), but she was a fan... because I was a fan.

[@tednorton5150]

@@BestFriendsGang I'm sorry for your loss and thankful that you had such an interesting project to offset some of the awfulness.

[@FreddieWard-v3u]

Paul weller is the best singer songwriter I have ever see the jam style council and his solo work is all top draw true creative genius

[@MrMikeTauber]

Great documentary .... that's so cool about Long Hot Summer - ahead of their time.

[@christopherwelch136]

Class, groves, politically right on and fantastic music!

[@NoCoverCharge]

No .. The Jam was awesome …. The Alarm and The Cure were better…but these guys are very f good

[@LouisL1963]

Good video; surprised you didn't mention the first 2 UK singles "Speak Like a Child" & "Money Go Round" as they were the band's real beginnings in 1983 in the pop charts. Only ever managed to see then once though ( Brighton Centre 1985). I bought 99% of the output between 1983 & 1988 as I was a big fan of The Style Council, but having heard bits of the final (unreleased at the time) album, I can understand why Polydor called time on things. Weller tried to do something different with the band by tapping into a scene that was happening, but it definitely didn't work. In Hindsight, I think TSC were the nearest thing the UK produced to Steely Dan lyrically and musically (although I expect Weller would class that as a bit of an insult...). Very well thought out songs with an edge, played by very good musicians. The Style Council were a band very much of their time, especially in a country with rising unemployment, and a prime minister determined to break the unions. I think the message that Weller had driven home more directly with The Jam was continued in a more sarcastic (yet subtle) way in TSC.

[@papablue3015]

I've loved the style council since the 80's! Still do! Not many people in the us.midwest know about the style council! That's to bad!

[@robneill5519]

JFC this was good. Thanks. Few (minor) points off for growling about "Didn't Matter" and not mentioning "Health Farm."

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks. Many TSC songs that I love and champion didn't make the cut... a length of time issue. Would've been 3x as long if I'd tried to squeeze em all in... Man of Great Promise Headstart for Happiness Someone's Shoe Spin Drifting etc

[@keithwellerlounge74]

The Cost of Loving is such an underrated album. It Didn't Matter, Walking The Night, Heaven's Above, Fairy Tales, and the title track, all great songs. It's much better than Confessions in my opinion - which still has several decent songs but only It's a Very Deep Sea is a truly great song, and the album's mood is largely a bit too slow throughout (some would argue drab). Regardless, excellent video on the greatest band of all time in my opinion (closely followed by The Jam and Oasis). Great to see some appreciation, I hope a lot of people see this and take the time to listen to their full discography. I only properly listened to their albums in full a year ago in lockdown and was amazed at how many songs weren't well known, because they are instantly memorable. I always liked Weller's music but there was so much more to it than I realised. They are cool in a very unique way, in, ironically, caring more about substance than style. Being cool by not trying to be.

[@maximiliandonelly6292]

Cool take on this group. Loved their deep house stuff.

[@Jotage1950]

Interesting article, I liked it although I think it's too exaggerated to give it the category of the best band in the world. But I do consider that it is a different band, sometimes it approaches Jazz or R&B and does it well, Paul Weller is a genius and I think he has been unfairly undervalued. Thank you

[@sharonsekhon9475]

I was so lucky to be informed by this music when I was a young person. This band with Roddy Frame informed so many of my values and why I fight for the vulnerable.

[@jamien6523]

OMG! Stumbled on this and you spoke every word I have ever thought and felt about the style council. I always thought I was the only one in America who had ever heard of them let alone realized they are the greatest! Shaped my life growing up making me a better person...

[@adc2327]

Lol! No I thought I was the only one in the USA who had heard of them. I found out different in 2006. Paul Weller played 3 nights at Madison Square Garden. Night 1 focus on The Jam. Night 2, The Style Council. Night 3 a mash-up of his career. I live in California. That was one time I wished I was rich, didn't have to worry about work and could fly out for night 2.

[@jamien6523]

@@adc2327 when was this?! I live in California and might have done it. haha

[@adc2327]

@@jamien6523 Way back in the day, 2006, as my comment indicates. There was no way I could have done it back then. I had a job where I had to travel. Unfortunately it was usually a small town.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Wow, very much of the same brain, here. I think some people get too bogged down in the band being described as "socialists" and "progressives" to really take in the overall message of the group. They definitely made me a more considerate and socially aware individual.

[@fretfix1]

Headstart for Happiness...

[@richardkolnsberg4418]

The Cost Of Loving is sorely underrated. Just having the title track, It Didn’t Matter, Fairytales and Angel prove that for me. The first time I put the needle to the record, I shivered with excitement for what I was hearing and it still has that effect.

[@aussiej2973]

No that was the jam as john weller used to say. The style council were nothing

[@chrissmith8925]

Flipping off the leather clad crowd outside the Roxy on Vespa scooters? Huh? Don't get the point trying to be made here at all. If anything this is a nod back to the Jam than a move away. Also the aforementioned track Here's one that got away could easily have a been a Jam song (okay without the violin) as could a lot of the Style Council's better songs, Speak like a child, Solid bond... Oh, and its Cafe bleu not blue.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Ughhhhhhh. Make your own video then, zude. You're boring me to death.

[@threadnugent]

Def. not the best band in the world but pretty amazing…. Many brilliant moments (How She Threw it All Away, My Ever Changing Moods, Have You Ever Had it Blue) and some truly hideous moments (Right to Go, A Gospel, Ghosts of Dachau). I loved that Weller took a chance and changed direction from punk … TSC was totally overlooked and misunderstood… if their records were more even and they left out their depressing politics I would say they were the best band of the 80’s.

[@BestFriendsGang]

They swung for the fences on every pitch.

[@thefobbie0034]

Will never forget that December summer of 83 when I first saw the video of their first release "Long Hot Summer!" Was 19 then - it set the tone for what was a great summer! Phenomenal year of music that year!

[@TheDaysOfGlory]

I stumbled on Paul Weller and the Jam in the Summer of ‘81 on a family vacation. I was hooked. I got my copy of Cafe Bleu during Xmas my senior year in high school. Weller was truly instrumental in my youth. I caught Paul Weller in concert at the SF Warfield in 1993. At the end, girls were lining up to walk onto stage, give him a hug/kiss and be shown directly to the exit door… AMAZING!! Awesome to see the band reform to do “Deep Sea.” Paul Weller is a true living Legend.

[@frederickpando9444]

I had just finished viewing a documentary on The JAM and in the documentary it shows that Paul Weller dissolved The JAM and formed The STYLE COUNCIL. Wow! I'd heard the name of the band but I had never listened to any of their music. The STYLE COUNCIL has a tremendous sound! I can't believe I missed listening to them in the '80s. I will make it a point to check out their albums!

[@roslynellis6322]

Great documentary about one of my all time favourite bands. Well done 😊

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks for watching

[@waynegoucher4503]

Fabulous documentary. Fell under the Weller spell with the Style Council .. my favourite period of his amazing career. Much underrated but absolutely wonderful music to explore. Confessions is a work of Imagination, courage and brilliance and my favourite.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thanks so much. I appreciate the comments.

[@serenaym3974]

So well said

[@johnnyrarere]

Amaaaaazing band So smooth So Political So great but yet so underrated

[@allonhanohof4496]

The mighty weller a one man band at the end of the day ,he is the product ,a really special musician

[@arthurwatts1680]

Not my cup of tea, but have at it. Weller was a pioneer and I owned early albums from The Jam back in the day, but you cant please all of the people all of the time. No argument that both bands were a huge influence on many that followed, whether they admitted it or not.

[@BestFriendsGang]

I appreciate the watch and the comments-and yeah, I don't expect everyone to buy what I'm selling.

[@alexlanning712]

Probably right, never appreciated them at the time(more fool me) but now value their CD's and compilations

[@BestFriendsGang]

They've got some real bops

[@jasonm.8174]

I love you for making this tremendous video and like you I came to the Style Council party late but I tend to agree that they probably are the best band in the world.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Thank you for the kind words. And I love you for watching.

[@jonnolly]

Best band?? Reminds me of Alan Partridge: 'Who were Wings? Only the band the Beatles could've been.'

[@71gmf]

Finally someone who acknowledges what I know since the 80's: The Style Council is probably the BEST BAND in the world!!!

[@steviewonders4913]

i've been a fan of Weller's since hearing 'Strange Town' aged 11 in1982 and was at the right age to really believe in The Style Council as beeing a great band and even as a young teenager I understood fully why Weller had to end The Jam, it had all gotten too laddish and too much. I tried to sneak into Jam gig in North Wales 1983 that ended more or less before it began when after 15 mins fights began breaking out all through the crowd between Manchester and Liverpool youth. Time has shown that in their best moments The Style Council were very good and I also can say I learnt much and was influenced by Weller's political stance. Anyone who still in 2022 thinks they where rubbish/pretentious is either Lazy or kinda stupid or maybe both.. Anyways just wanted to comment that your small documentary is as good if not actually better than all other Style Council docs i've seen including the BBC radio and most recent 90min ish professional one I watched a while back.. Great work fella !

[@BestFriendsGang]

Kind words. Thanks, friend.

[@1962losgigantes]

It’s the early 80s, and in College, the TSC had few fans principally because too many were smarting from The Jam’s demise. I became friends with a young College Co-Ed who was Pledging a Greek House the same semester. It seemed like we were the only two in the world not upset with Paul and his new direction.

[@SESHCRAVEN]

Had no idea about this band, thanks 4 introducing me to them. Subbed

[@schrisdellopoulos9244]

Well done my son.

[@classicteachings]

Excellent summary. Phil Jupiler really should see this!

[@saputrajudiwidjaja1025]

Great documentary. I love The Style Council since the 80s. Our Favorite Shop is one of my all time favorite album. Greetings from Jakarta.

[@ChainNonSmoker]

Good video, well put together. Cheers! PS. Cost of Lovin's a great album

[@alanwyatt]

Nice video. I was deeply into TSC at the time. Had everything on vinyl and copied his (casual) clothes as much as I could 😄. But most of all it was the music and lyrics. 👍

[@chriseidam7319]

I watched the whole video. I could see you put a lot of thought and effort into it. But you're claim that The Style Council is the best man in the world is preposterous. They're not even one of the top 50 bands of the 1980s, let alone the best band of all time. Take XTC. That band scores an A+ on producing meaningful songs with fabulous hooks and unsurpassed musicianship. But then think about all of the other bands that put out incredible music then, even though I would rank '80s music below '60s, '70s , '90s and '00s music. U2. Talking Heads. Indio. King Crimson. Adrian Belew. Midnight Oil. The Indigo Girls. Peter Gabriel. The Police. And on and on and on. Nope. I just don't hear it.

[@BestFriendsGang]

Right. That's the nature of having a subjective opinion. For example you might rattle off a list of names that you think are the best bands and artists of the era and include U2, and someone else might tell you that most of their output sounds "generic" and their later work is garbage. Just for example. Then you might put together a well thought out mini doc for KZbin with a tongue-in-cheek title that acknowledges how it's just a subjective opinion, but some people don't get it and leave exhausting comments stating that you're wrong and they're right about the bands they like. IMAGINE.

[@chriseidam7319]

@@BestFriendsGang , I am with you on U2. That band peaked with the Joshua Tree and then went down and down and down, repeating what they'd already done on the Joshua Tree, but not doing it as well. But in the '80s? U2 was a force to be reckoned. Whether or not the title of this video was serious or not, I will point out that this claim is repeated over and over and over again in the video. Frankly, I just don't like the music. I don't think it's particularly good. Where are the hooks? It seems to be self-indulgent and overproduced. I can respect the good lyrics, but I have to have good music to go with good lyrics, and I just don't think this band's music is particularly special. You want to know who I think might be the best rock act of all time? Check out Ike Reilly, who later on morphed into Ike Reilly And The Assassination. Reilly might possibly be the best rock songwriter of all time, yet virtually nobody knows. By a fluke on a visit back home to Providence, Rhode Island in 2001 I picked up a copy of the Providence Phoenix indie weekly for its annual Best Of edition and Ike Reilly's album Salesmen And Racists was ranked as the number one rock album for 200, which was a great year for rock music. I bought most of the excellent albums on that list because the Phoenix really did have good music reviewers, unlike Rolling Stone. I dare anybody - even people that don't particularly care for rock but would rather listen to rap or hip hop - to listen to Salesmen And Racists for five times in a row while driving on a road trip somewhere. If that person is not completely hooked on that album after the 5th listen they must be either deaf or dead inside. BTW, I am an amateur songwriter with an education in writing. People have told me repeatedly that I author "genius" lyrics And that I should have turned professional. I wasn't interested in turning professional because I didn't want to tour all over the place if I succeeded at being a professional. I'm adding this so you can understand that I understand song composition and writing lyrics. I'm not coming at my opinion from a point of ignorance and a lack of songwriting experience.