Soul Wandering

Album: 66 (2024)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Over regal horns, organ sections, and a chunky, percussive groove, Paul Weller ponders his place in the universe. Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie wrote the words for the funky rocker, but Weller "totally related" to the sentiment.

    "Maybe it's an age thing," Weller told The Guardian. "When you see the state of the world, what a mess it all is. It's about having something to hold on to, I think. You haven't got to be a Christian; you just have faith in something else beyond the cruelty and the disgusting behavior of the humans. Look for the good in things."
  • "Soul Wandering" is the lead single from Weller's 17th solo album, 66. The Modfather dropped the album on May 24, 2024 – a day shy of his 66th birthday.
  • It seems Weller wasn't feeling particularly loquacious this time around, so he roped in a few mates to help with the lyric-writing. Along with Gillespie, the 66 album also features lyrical contributions from the likes of Suggs and Noel Gallagher.

    "I didn't feel I had so much to say, so I thought, well, I know a lot of other great writers, and I thought I'd utilize that and just kind of get someone else's thoughts or words," Weller told Pop Matters.

    "I've done this sort of thing a few times in recent years, and I've really enjoyed it – singing other people's words," he continued. "When I do that, I'm not as fussy or critical as I would be if they were my lyrics. I can spend days sometimes just thinking about one line. When you've got someone else's words, you're just there as a vocalist to interpret them."
  • Weller plays the electric guitar, acoustic guitar and electric piano himself. The other musicians are:

    Josh McClorey: electric guitar
    Steve Cradock: electric guitar
    Jake Fletcher: bass
    Ben Gordelier: drums
    Dave Boraston: flugelhorn
    Steve Trigg: flugelhorn
    Louise Marshall: background vocals
    Sumudu Jayatilaka: background vocals

    Josh McClorey is the lead guitarist of the Irish rock band The Strypes. They've supported Weller on tour in the past.

    Steve Cradock has played alongside Weller consistently since his 1993 sophomore album, Wild Wood. "He's a tremendous guitarist," Weller told Pop Matters of Cradock. "He's always up for the challenge of trying something different. It's hard to find that sort of musician."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.