Paul Weller’s 1995 album Stanley Road took him back to the top of the British charts for the first time in a decade, and went on to become the best-selling album of his career.

The album, named after the street in Woking where he had grown up, marked a return to the more guitar-based style of his earlier days. Weller found himself heavily associated with the “Britpop” movement that gave rise to such bands as Oasis, Pulp and Blur. Weller even appeared as a guest guitarist and backing vocalist on Oasis’ hit song “Champagne Supernova”.

Changingman

The album’s major single, “The Changingman”, was also a big hit, taking Weller to #7 in the UK singles charts. Another single, the ballad “You Do Something To Me”, was his second consecutive Top 10 single and reached #9 in the UK. Two other hits were “Broken Stones” (#20) and new version of 1994 single “Out Of The Sinking” (#16).

Heavy Soul, the follow up to the million-selling Stanley Road saw Weller twist his sound again. The album was more raw than its predecessor; Weller was now frequently playing live in the studio in as few takes as possible. The first single, “Peacock Suit” reached #5 in the UK Singles Chart, and the album reached #2. Success in the charts also came from compilations: “best of” albums by The Jam and Style Council charted, and his own solo “best of” collection Modern Classics was a substantial success in 1998.

Illumination

In 2000, while living in Send, Surrey, he released his fifth solo studio album, Heliocentric. There were rumours at the time that this would be his final studio effort, but these proved unfounded when he released the No. 1 hit album Illumination in September 2002 which was co-produced by Noonday Underground’s Simon Dine, preceded by yet another top 10 hit single “It’s Written In The Stars”. Weller also appears on the 2002 Noonday Underground album called Surface Noise, singing on the track, “I’ll Walk Right On.”

Days Of Speed

Between these two albums he had also released a second successful live album, 2001’s Days Of Speed, which contained live acoustic versions from his world tour of the same name. The LP included some of his best-known songs from his solo career and the back catalogues of his Jam and Style Council days. Weller had again found himself without a record contract and the tour provided him with the opportunity to view his works as one back catalogue.

Lyrics

Is happiness real?
Or am I so jaded
I can’t see or feel — like a man been tainted
Numbed by the effect — aware of the muse
Too in touch with myself — I light the fuse
I’m the changingman — built on shifting sands
I’m the changingman — waiting for the bang
As I light a bitter fuseTime is on loan — only ours to borrow
What I can’t be today — I can be tomorrow
And the more I see — the more I know
The more I know — the less I understand
I’m the changingman — built on shifting sands
I’m the changingman — waiting for the bang
To light a bitter fuse
It’s a bigger part
When our instincts act
A shot in the dark
A movement in black
And the more I see — the more I know
The more I know — the less I understand
I’m the changingman — built on shifting sands
(I don't have a plan)
I’m the changingman — waiting for the bang
To light a bitter fuse

(Source: Wikipedia) Stuff and Nonsense