Song of the Day: 'Absolute Beginners' (Double Play)

I still don't know what I did to have grown up during such an exciting time in music history, but today's Double Play certainly doesn't disappoint. 

 

First we have The Jam's "Absolute Beginners," a stopgap single the band put out between its albums "Sound Affects" and "The Gift," the latter of which wound up being their surprise swan song. I don't think the Jam has a song or video that better captures their youthful exuberance -- running down the streets of London's Shepherd's Bush with Bat-fight-type words and silent-movie cards peppering the action. And what 22-year-old writes lyrics like this?!

In echoed steps I walked across an empty dream 

I looked across this world, there was no one to be seen 

This empty feeling turned and quietly walked away 

I saw no warmth in life, no love was in my eyes 

I stared a century thinking this will never change 

As I hesitated, time rushed onwards without me 

Too scared to break the spell, too small to take a fall 

But the absolute luck is, love is in our hearts!

I lost some hours thinking of it

I need the strength to go and get what I want

I lost a lifetime thinking of it

An' I lost an era daydreaming like I do

The song hit No. 4 on the U.K. singles chart -- the fifth of their nine Top 10 hits -- and is an absolute classic. 

 

This one might get me in trouble. I'm a lifelong casual fan of David Bowie -- Paul Weller was my king, who I think runs circles around Ziggy Stardust et al. -- with "Changesbowie" being the only record of his I ever purchased. But perhaps more disrespectful to serious Bowie fans is that "Absolute Beginners" may very well be my favorite song of his, despite its perhaps being a bit of a throwaway composed for a Julien Temple film very few people saw. Not since "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" has a song built to such a memorable crescendo -- the album version is just shy of eight glorious minutes -- one that still gives me chills nearly 40 years later. "Absolute Beginners" reached No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 9 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart, and No. 2 on the U.K. singles chart, which has long put the U.S. record-buying public to shame. 

Tweet Nothings

learning French has really encouraged me to live in the moment because I currently cannot conjugate any other verb tense

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🤣🤣🤣 

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These are no laughing matter 

Umm, if Republicans truly believe that left wing groups like Antifa and BLM are really behind the Capitol riot, why are they blocking an investigation of the riot???

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Yes 

I know you're sick of me talking about my book, so instead here is me talking about my fashion inspirations. Also cute pictures of my house (taken by me.) https://t.co/1qMT3FgdTD

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Love his turntable! 

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Insanely gifted! 

so pleased with this piece on @PaulEalyMooney @vulture https://t.co/9yBe2wz1HM

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Sandy remembers her friend and mentor 

All of us going overboard when things go back to normal. #cye #curb #larrydavid #starbucks #tooenthusiastic #coffeeonme #newnormal #fbf #flashbackfriday #cheryldavid #coffee #overboard pic.twitter.com/V6LjKJHQe0

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Nobody is more excited about the return of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" than yours truly!

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Chair goals 

“Paul Weller scores sixth UK Number 1 album!” #fatpop #fatpopvolume1 #paulweller https://t.co/8Kdz2K6DAY

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I played it -- it's good stuff 

Song of the Day: 'You're the Best Thing' by Paul Weller and Boy George

I had barely begun to listen to the Style Councilor-in-chief's new album, "Fat Pop," when I saw Paul Weller had a guest star at his live (with minimal audience) Live From the Barbican orchestral concert that aired this week. First Kim Wilde and now the Modfather? This Boy sure gets around!

These two blue--eyed soul singers go way back, starting with "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

Song of the Day: 'Village' by Paul Weller

Though he’s delayed its release, Paul Weller has now offered fans a second taste of his 15th solo album, "On Sunset," in the form of the gentle ballad “Village,” which you can hear below. "On Sunset," the follow-up to 2018’s stripped-down release, "True Meanings," was first due out June 12, then got bumped to July 3.

Weller describes the song as coming from the perspective of someone who’s happy with his state in life:

“It’s a response to being told that we’ve all got to explore the Amazon and climb Everest to make our lives complete,” Weller says in a press release announcing the track. “And there’s a guy who says, fuck all that, I’ve got heaven around me.” (Via Slicing Up Eyeballs)

I'm a lifelong fan but still have never found anything he's done solo to be as compelling as his work with the Jam and Style Council.

Song of the Day: 'Shout to the Top' by the Style Councillors

Since Paul Weller is far too stubborn to ever reunite his Style Council, might I have to fly to the U.K. to see this adorable cover band?

Song of the Day: 'Precious' by the Jam

Because of my age, "The Gift" -- the Jam's final album -- was actually the first album of theirs I ever owned. It's a masterpiece. And you can hear Paul Weller answer questions from fans about it HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Sweet Pea, My Sweet Pea' by Paul Weller

Adorable song from the Jam-man's "Heliocentric" LP.

Song of the Day: 'Walls Come Tumbling Down' by the Style Council

This one's for Damian, who doesn't understand my fascination with the former Jam/Style Council leader. Does this help? He's singing "our song" here!

I need a T-shirt that says: "Paul Weller Made Me a Socialist" 

Walls Come Tumbling Down

The Style Council

You don't have to take this crap

You don't have to sit back and relax

You can actually try changing it

I know we've always been taught to rely

Upon those in authority 

But you never know until you try

How things just might be 

If we came together so strongly

Are you gonna try to make this work

Or spend your days down in the dirt

You see things can change 

Yes and walls can come tumbling down

Governments crack and systems fall

'Cause unity is powerful

Lights go out, walls come tumbling down 

Yes they do, yes they do, yes they do, yes they do, hey)

The competition is a color TV

We're on still pause with the video machine

That keep you slave to the H.P.

Until the unity is threatened by

Those who have and who have not 

Those who are with and those who are without

And dangle jobs like a donkey's carrot 

Until you don't know where you are

Are you gonna get to realize

The class war's real and not mythologized

And like Jericho, you see walls can come tumbling down

Governments crack and systems fall

'Cause unity is powerful

Lights go out, walls come tumbling 

(Down) You'll be too weak to fight it

(Down) oh unless we're united

(Down) oh will you deny it?

Ooh

Are you gonna be threatened by

The public enemies No. 10 

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 and make this work

Or spend your days down in the dirt 

You see things can change 

Walls can come tumbling down

Governments crack and systems fall

'Cause unity is powerful

Lights go out, walls come tumbling down

Governments crack and systems fall

'Cause unity is powerful

Lights go out, walls come tumbling down

Governments crack and systems fall

'Cause unity is powerful

Lights go out, walls come tumbling down

Governments crack and systems fall

'Cause unity is powerful

Lights go out, walls come tumbling down

Song of the Day: 'Fickle Public Speaking' by Vaughn Toulouse

Say what you will about the good old days, I can no longer imagine life without 24 access to just about every imaginable fact there is. I spent my high school days reading about and studying all things Paul Weller, but there was very little to be found in the suburbs of Phoenix. One name that always intrigued me was Vaughn Toulouse, who was signed to the Style Councillor's Respond Records but whose music never made it into my little orbit of MTV, "Night Flight" and "Rock Over London" on KROQ. I hadn't thought of him in decades, so imagine my surprise when he was profiled last week on the AIDS Memorial Instagram page, where I learned he had actually died back in 1991. While the news was sad, it led me to hearing him perform solo for the first time, performing a song written by Weller that has the Jam-man's prints all over it! 

(The first time at all was when Vaughn sang on "Soul Deep," Weller's single to benefit striking miners in the U.K. back in '84,billed as the Council Collective.)

Song of the Day: 'My Ever-Changing Moods' (live) by Paul Weller

A little slice of heaven yesterday from BBC Radio 2. Am I the only weirdo who still thinks the Style Council was Paul Weller's finest hour?

Song of the Day: 'One Tear' by Paul Weller and Boy George

Here's a musical collaboration I've waited more than 30 years to hear!

George interviewed the Style Council-er back in 1984 for No. 1.

Song of the Day: 'Long Long Road' by Paul Weller

Great new single from the Jam and Style Council frontman's upcoming album, "A Kind Revolution." Has there ever been a more prolific singer/songwriter?

Song of the Day: 'Long Hot Summer' by the Style Council

From HERE.

I was turning 16 when this summer classic by the Style Council came out. Although deep down I knew Paul Weller wasn't gay, I loved that he was willing to tease people, and do so in a less-obvious way than Annie Lennox and Boy George were at the time. We've come so far since 1983, but I still don't know whether to laugh or cry as I watch so many of our gains slip away.

Song of the Day: 'Thinking of You' by Sister Sledge

Sad to read about the too-soon death of Joni Sledge, whose sisterly group recorded two of the most memorable songs of the disco era in "He's the Greatest Dancer" and "We Are Family." But it was "Thinking of You" -- written by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards -- that was their true masterpiece, so much so that the legendary Paul Weller even covered it 2004. Read more about Joni's passing HERE.

My love to all of Joni's friends and family at this difficult time -- the sisters just announced that the show will go on.

Song of the Day: 'I'm Where I Should Be' by Paul Weller

Saw the Modfather's new album, "Saturn's Pattern," when I stopped by Rough Trade in Williamsburg yesterday, after buying new glasses at Classic Specs. The record store, which is named for and related to the famed indie record label from back in the day, is a New Wave geek's dream, complete with a huge selection of vinyl, cassettes, compact discs, DVDs and books, plus walls covered from top to bottom with photos of '80s pop stars. 

After a visit to the photo booth for retro black and whites, Damian and I might have stuck around for a coffee and pastry if the music had matched the atmosphere. Instead, there was a guy on the PA system screaming the N- and F-word over and over again, with no melody, no tune and no purpose. When it became clear that this auditory assault would never end, I fired up my Shazam app as we fled the premises, only to find out they were playing Kendrick Lamar's "u" and "Alright" from "To Pimp a Butterfly," which every music critic at The New York Times ranked as either the No. 1 or No. 2 best album of 2015. (It is unbelievably ATROCIOUS.) The emperor truly needs new clothes.

Order "Saturn's Pattern" HERE.

The Jam Was Moving

Would give my best nut to visit "The Jam: About the Young Idea" on display now at the Somerset House in London:

This summer, Somerset House, in collaboration with Nice Time Inc Productions, is proud to present The Jam: About the Young Idea. With unprecedented access to The Jam’s archive, Somerset House will curate the first comprehensive exhibition about the extraordinary band whose music immortalised life for Britain’s disenchanted youth during the late 70s and early 80s. Through unseen material and fan memorabilia, the exhibition will chart the trio’s journey from Sheerwater Secondary Modern in Woking to superstardom, kick-started by the release of their debut hit single ‘In The City’, whose lyrics are referenced in the exhibition’s title, and ended six years later with 18 consecutive UK top 40 singles and over 14 million global album sales.

For the very first time, all three members of the band – Paul Weller, Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton – the Weller family and music archivist Den Davis have opened up their archives, especially for the show. The collection, which is curated by frontman Paul’s sister and former head of The Jam’s fan club Nicky Weller, Tory Turk and Russell Reader with additional advice from DJ Gary Crowley, includes hand written lyrics, original stage outfits, personal photographs and footage, unreleased music videos, early scrapbooks, letters and postcards, posters and fanzines, and the band’s instruments. The exhibition, designed in reference to album artworks and featuring original graphics from celebrated artist Anthony Burrill, will provide a unique and personal insight into the band’s trailblazing life and the retrospect legacy The Jam left on music, style, politics and culture.

Although I came of age even more during Weller's Style Council years, The Jam had a huge influence on me, and the exhibition looks like something I could spend a week straight going through. That Paul Weller hates nostalgia as much as Madonna makes the moment all the more special, as it seems he has truly embraced it.

Perhaps the only thing more joyous than seeing Paul, Paul Weller, Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton all in one place is this photo of onetime backup singer and Respond artist Tracie Young (and her son) with her former mentor. I mentioned having recently dined with Tracie when I met Paul a few years ago and his face lit up. Although Respond never took off the way many had hoped, for a brief moment in time, Tracie et al. were the shit!  Complete show info HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Long Hot Summer' (extended version) by the Style Council

Loving every second of Tom Pinnock article Paul Weller's 30 Best Songs. Although it's impossible to pick a favorite, I was especially impressed that he picked so many Style Council songs, which I felt was the Modfather's best era despite the fact that I'm in the minority. Perhaps my favorite TSC song, "Long Hot Summer," ranked No. 20 on Pinnock's list, yet I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry ...

Song of the Day: 'Sexy Sadie' by Paul Weller

Final cover from "The White Album" this week -- with so many good ones to choose from, I might need to do another five. P.S. Paul Weller just announced upcoming U.S. tour date and wouldn't you know it, he's playing (fucking) Terminal 5. 

Song of the Day: 'My Ever Changing Moods' by Paul Weller

Via YouTube: Paul Weller marked the released of his 2004 covers album , "Studio 150," with a special show at Riverside Studios, where this fab rendition of The Style Council's 'My Ever Changing Mood' was captured on film. 

Walls Come Tumbling Down?

Paul Weller doesn't do nostalgia, so this Twitter exchange certainly caught my eye, especially since I'm the rare fan who prefers the Style Council to the Jam. Let's just hope it's a real reunion, not the quasi one we got last time in '07.