“The Loved” Paul Weller for Weller Wednesday

It’s that day again, Weller Wednesday, the day we Listen to, Learn about, and Turn Up the Volume to the Quintessential Music of Paul Weller, in all of his many Musical incarnations. This Week’s Weller Wednesday we take a Look and Listen to, an early nineties B-Side called “The Loved”. We hope you Press Play below and Enjoy!

“The Loved” (Live) :: Paul Weller
originally found as the B-Side to “Hung Up” (1994)

“And whatever you give,
listen:
you give to give.”

“The Loved” was originally the B-Side to the Song “Hung Up”, which is the last Track on Paul Weller’s Second Solo Album, Wild Wood, released in 1993. “Hung Up” became Weller’s first Top 10 Hit in 7 years, at the Single’s release in 1994.

The Big Issue also released “The Loved” as a Clear Vinyl Flexi-Disc Single, in 1993.

The Big Issue is a street newspaper founded by John Bird and Gordon Roddick, in September of 1991. It is published on 4 continents. The publication is written by professional journalists and sold by homeless individuals. It is one of the UK’s leading social businesses and exists to offer homeless people, or individuals at risk of homelessness, the opportunity to earn a legitimate income, thereby helping them to reintegrate into mainstream society. It is the world’s most widely circulated street newspaper

“The Loved” by Paul Weller
taken from the B-Side original recording

At first listen, “The Loved” may come across as a love song, or a loss of song, but listen closer and you will find a song about politics, society, and social mores. There is a significant heap of philosophy here, sermonizing on humanity, love and being a decent person – as it also criticized the lack of humanity, love, and decency existing in the world.

“The Loved’ is classic Weller, as he takes a sharp stab at the world around him with insight and wise lyrical refrains. Oh, and there is also a boat reference (so much water and water vessels in Weller Songs).

“Anyone can cry.
So, wipe away those phony tears in your eyes.
Don’t come ’round here,
expecting votes –
see who charts the course on a sinking boat.”