The Cranes Are Back

Album: A Kind Revolution (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • On this gospel-tinged piano track Paul Weller draws a parallel between returning crane birds and the hopes for the future embodied by London's construction boom. The singer told Uncut magazine:

    "It's a reaction to how the world is. In some cultures, when cranes - the birds - are back, it's a sign of good fortune. But I was also thinking about the mechanical cranes, when you see them back in the city, it normally means industry and business is starting up again. It's a song of hope, really."
  • The "A Kind Revolution" album title comes from a line in this song. Weller explained to HMV.com: "I just thought it felt right for the record, I don't know that it's making any particular statement. It's certainly not a political statement of any kind at all, it's a record that's more about people and humanity."
  • This was Mojo magazine's Track of the Year for 2017.
  • Asked by The Guardian what he means by a "kind revolution," Weller replied:

    "The real revolution could only really come from within all of us. And that is to think outside of our egos and see that we're all part of one thing, of the earth, of the universe, and to submit our egos, to see that we're just part of this ongoing journey, really. That would be the greatest thing we could do towards a real revolution, to see outside of ourselves more."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.