Paul Weller Makes Stellar Appearance On BBC2’s The Culture Show

This past Tuesday night, July 29th, Paul Weller appeared on BBC2’s The Culture Show. He performed two songs from his new 22 Dreams album–”All I Wanna Do (Is Be With You)” and “Why Walk When You Can Run”–as well as being interviewed by the program’s host, BBC 6 Music DJ Lauren Laverne. Weller did seem a bit miffed when, during the interview segment, Laverne brought up the months-old story about Conservative leader David Cameron’s alleged fondness for The Jam’s song “The Eton Rifles.” Weller had stated numerous times in the past that “The Eton Rifles” was written to blast people of privilege like David Cameron. I suppose that Weller didn’t feel like explaining that for the thousandth time for a member of the media. And I can’t blame him for that, really.

Below are the music and interview segments from the program:

“All I Wanna Do (Is Be With You)”:

“Why Walk When You Can Run”:

Paul Weller’s interview with Lauren Laverne:

In other Paul Weller news, his July 2008 interview with SPIN magazine is available at http://digital.spin.com/spin/200807/?pm … pg=84&fm=1. In the interview, Weller discusses, among other things, his recent 50th birthday, the 22 Dreams album, his lack of stardom in America, splitting up The Jam at their peak, his interest in fashion, being managed by his father through a good part of his career, and what he thinks of his former Jam bandmates Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton playing together again as From The Jam. Weller, always a fantastic interview subject because of his extreme candor, doesn’t pull any punches. It is a great interview, and is well worth a read.