I was one of a group, under the guidance of the late Michael Howells, who painted the backdrop. We got the job and had 3 days to produce and psint the whole thing. We did it but didn't sleep for 3 days. I delivered all the painted flats to the location and fell asleep in the van going around Shepherds Bush roundabout @ 6am. When we woz young!!@
It’s the only song that motivates me. I’ve lost all my family including my two sons.. however I still have a daughter. When you’re down at the bottom, shout to the top xxx I guess that’s God x
2023, & I am an old guy, in Canada, and suddenly a new fan of this song. Thanks to RU-vid, am able to view several old tapes of Style Council & Weller performing this song over the years. This version is by far the CLEAREST where we can hear the genius of the lyrics matched to rhythms . Like so many here overseas, I don't understand why the group did not get more play at the time. Of course we knew of the song and their other UK hits, but it was mainly played in dance clubs. And now, thanks to archives & RU-vid, it's fascinating to learn details of what led up to Style Council, details of the band members lives, and where they are at today.
I'm an oldish Canadian from Vancouver. I remember this song and video from Nightlines with Dave and Buzz, who introduced Slow, Red Herring, Bob's Your Uncle, No Fun, and Go 4 Three to the world. Does anyone remember that el cheapo video show from Vancouver in the Eighties?
This has to be one of the best Style Council songs. Paul Weller's ability to change the genre of music from the Jam to the Style Council and still keep up the standard is a tribute to his genius. They certainly don't write tunes like this anymore.
I remember when I was suicidal(I was 19) in the late 80's one night I heard this song and it gave me hope. I thought I may be down but "I can shout to the top". I never looked back. Sometimes it just takes a song.
i spent a couple of hours talking to Paul Weller in the early 90's when i lived in Denver.....he's one of the few superstars globally that could walk around virtually anywhere in America and be recognized by very few people......glad i got to spend some time with him.
This song is a masterpiece. I´m a guy from Vienna, was 20 and at the military then. Unbelievable, how the British bands delivered during the 80ies. So independent, talented, creative and cool. Real musicians, real bands, real enthusiasm. No computers, no fucking effects, no people as part of the show - and nobody knows, what´s their role and why they are here. If I think of 80ies music, more than 50% of the songs I remember, are from bands like Style Council.Paul Weller is a genius and was a great influencer of British music during these times.
Mass unemployment in Britain in the early 1980s lead to people forming bands to make money. Hence the Second British Invasion was born. All part of Thatcher's plan. Great music, though!
British musicians were definitely using computers and effects for music production, even in the 1980s. Don't blame the technology for the blandness of modern music when the issue is a lack of creativity and an industry that chooses to churn out derivative, overproduced garbage rather than take risks.
Also 20 in 84 & in the military in Australia, this song and so many others like it were transformative an optimistic time to be alive, I feel for the young kids of today indoctrinated to be fearful, pessimistic, & so angry, where are the songs that give hope.... nothing...
It’s a shame that here in America Paul Weller’s isn’t recognized as the musical genius that he is…his music gets very little radio air play. Only true music fans know his brilliance.
I spent a few weeks in London on vacation in about 2005. I met a young man who had never heard of Paul Weller. I was shocked. I figured he was a national treasure! He is such a big deal in my mind.
@@gardenlover9663 He is, don't worry. One of the best known & most respected musicians these islands have ever produced. He's rarely in the media spotlight nowadays though so that may explain that young guy's ignorance.
This song has a different meaning for me. My brother was diagnosed with cancer in 1999. He lived for way longer than he was "supposed to". A few years ago, he was feeling really low. This song was my theme song for him. We both love The Style Council. I sent it to him. He appreciated it. He passed on September 6th.
@Garden Lover* So sorry for your loss 🕊 I lost my mum & big brother to cancer & we sang all our favourite songs mum was carpenters & my brother E.L.O hall & oates & his fav was Christopher Cross Sailing we played it at his funeral..Sending blessings your brother had good taste in music .🙏🏼🧡
Another incredible gem of a song from one of the most underrated bands of all time! Love the unique arrangement, the layers of vocals, the swanky vibe and big energy this number delivers!
My elder brother worked down a mine in the late.80s. The pit collapsed. Shout to the top! Bless Paul Weller...and that pianist.....And everyone that song has helped in so many ways. X
@@Paul_John_Weller well. Hello, I hope ur well. I'm good thank u. I've been glossing and singing along with down @ the tube station @ midnight. Probs yelling would b a better word 4 it.
I'm not surprised @ all 2 see "official messages" 2 other fans with the exact words. Does the minions on this site think fans r numpties? The language used is defo not Paul Weller.
As an Australian who lives in the Sunshine all the time, my theory is that in the gloomy England of the 80's, both weather and Thatcher, it created ideal conditions for the incredible creative output by the musicians of that era, I won't name the million bands that the UK produced in that time. It inspired worldwide music!!!
@@V8AmericanMuscleCar We sure did.....just dozens of them They all lead the time trodden path of doing gigs in pubs 8 nights a week. Getting it right. We're a small market compared to the USA. You know, back then about 15million. You can't be crap down here or you go nowhere. In the USA there's a massive niche market for talentless nobodys. 300 million
Uh, did they have other songs? THis was a huge hit and still people remember it, but I dont really remember any other songs they had. From a bands perspective there is almost nothing else that needs to be said. Some bands say the same thing over and over again for decades.
“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams
I was half in mind, I was half in need And as the rain came down I dropped to my knees and I prayed I said, "Oh heavenly thing, please cleanse my soul I've seen all on offer and I'm not impressed at all" I was halfway home, I was half insane And every shop window I looked in just looked the same I said, "Now send me a sign to save my life 'Cause at this moment in time there is nothing certain in These days of mine" You see it's a frightening thing when it dawns upon you That I know as much as the day I was born And though I wasn't asked, I might as well stay And promise myself each and every day That when you're knocked on your back and your life's a flop And when you're down on the bottom there's nothing else But to shout to the top Well we're gonna shout to the top We're gonna shout to the top We're gonna shout to the top Hey, we're gonna shout to the top You see it's a frightening thing when it dawns upon you That I know as much as the day I was born And though I wasn't asked, I might as well stay And promise myself each and every day We're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) So when you're knocked on your back and your life's a flop And when you're down on the bottom there's nothing else But to shout to the top (shout) Well, we're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) And when you're knocked on your back and your life's a flop And when you're down on the bottom there's nothing else But to shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) Hey, yeah, shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) Shout to the top (shout) Shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) Shout to the top (shout) Shout to the top (shout) We're gonna shout to the top (shout) Shout to the top (shout) Shout to the top (shout) Shout to the top (shout) Shout to the top (shout)
i thought Weller's career would probably teeter out after the Jam, how wrong was i. The style Council was, has been and always will be one of my favourite bands.
This was one of my favorite songs when it came out, just because it was so infectious but listening now as an adult with more knowledge on UK music history, it’s so evident how much of a Northern Soul tribute this was. Even down to Weller’s dance moves. Pure Wigan.
I just left Japan, for Nebraska (in the Air Force)...I worked in a secured facility, they would allow cassette tapes in, to play music...but never let them out again. So, for a period of 2 years...this was usually playing very loudly while I did mundane midnight shift work.
For me they'll never be another decade like the '80's. It was exciting as I was young and life wasn't so serious. For those of us who were there we were lucky. Those who weren't born then missed a hell of a time to be alive.
The 80s were pretty great. Aside from the, y'know, ever present fear of nuclear annihilation. I always thought the decadent 80s mentality was more nihilistic than carefree. We were really just having as much fun as we could while riding the bomb down.
This song is so important to how our industries broke down under Thatcher the milk snatcher. Witch from hell, so proud of Paul and Style Coucil for lighting up that dark and dire situation. Nothing changes but actually everything has changed. This song says it all. More should speak out we are far too complacent 😢
2021 Covid late night RU-vid binge...love this track..this band really was kool..Paul Weller one of the all time greatest songwriters...under-rated for sure...Great Man
Such a great song about being down and uncertain. So true, during Pandemic, economic crisis, and racial tension here in the U.S. This songs brings me to tears with a smile on my face. Thank you Style Council.
Paul Weller is just such an incredible artist he is up there with the likes of well ...the best of the best. Big part of not only the UK but the world! The Mod Father rock and soul.
As a young music maker This song should be a learning curve!!!!!!! Can you hear how they do it with the vocals and everything! The tempo the skill the knowledge these guys had; So much to learn so little time!
Oh and one more thing - loads of Irish people have topped the US charts. Even if Weller were Irish and had topped the US charts (neither of which is true), he would have been far from first 🤣
Yes, this song is giving me a drive to keep going in life, I was scammed in October last year and lost all my life savings, but I’m just over halfway towards earning it back through hard work. So when I was down on the bottom all I could do from then on was ‘SHOUT TO THE TOP!!!’
isto mesmo meu amigo vamos lutando e reconquistando tudo o que infelizmente perdemos,mais esta música é algo que nos renova e mostra que a vida é maravilhosa. Deus seja louvado - Amém
This song is about Keep Going.....get up and keep going. I was watching 'Vision Quest' the other night and this song came on. I love this song. This tune still kicks ass after more than three decades, just like Weller
Paul Weller is one of funniest, loveliest men in music. I randomly found myself next to him at the hairdressers in Selfridges, he is very funny and relaxed, nothing starry or precious!
This is the best song to test your stereo system to. Full range of instruments, frequencies and vocals. I used to carry the vinyl with me when buying systems worth thousands of dollars.
Paul and mick perfect combination. And let’s not forget d c lee. This makes me feel so happy and I’m kinda old now but remember my younger days. Paul is a genius
@@ngc-fo5te MJ is one artist. Britain had about a million great bands/ artists in the 80s. Also in the 60s, 70s and 90s for that matter. I remember reading something about how America produced the biggest selling/ best solo acts, but the UK produced the biggest selling/ best bands. There is the odd exception here and there in both cases of course. But generally speaking it's true if you look at all time album sales.
That's the beauty of RU-vid! Suddenly stumbling over music that you never knew the title of and have never managed to find out; or have long relegated it the dark recesses of your memory. Loved all his content from the days of "The Jam" and continuing through to this band.
Remember going to Leicester de montford Hall at a young age and this song started playing and on came paul and the band and it truthfully gave me Goosebumps
This takes me back to endless summers in the 80s this always makes me have a great big smile no internet but everyone spoke to you people had respect for there peers and we were fit and happy
