“Psuedo-American rubbish”: Five musicians Paul Weller hates
“I’m always looking for something. Not in an unhappy way. I just like to try different things.” – Paul Weller
They say that tearing down your peers is one of the biggest signs of weakness. Still, this fact doesn’t stop certain musicians from feeling constantly obliged to share their scathing opinions. Morrissey does it well, as does Paul Weller. However, while Morrissey’s negativity seems to come from an all-consuming need to prove his superiority, the root of Weller’s problems appears to be a lot more personal.
Despite what may come across as some of the most controversial lines uttered by anyone in music history, there’s no denying Weller’s influence on the scene. Anyone from Oasis and Blur to Alex Turner and Miles Kane have expressed their admiration for the singer’s craft, with many of them even threading some of his most well-established sensibilities into their own music. Not to mention his profound influence on fashion.
With that, when Weller admires another artist, he readily admits it, singing praises more colourful than anyone could ever imagine. As a musician, he is particularly impressed by songs that challenge boundaries and revolutionise the art form. The Kinks, for instance, captured his attention due to the density of their craft and their penchant for “condensing all those ideas into a little three-minute song”.
Elsewhere, he has heaped high praise on the likes of Laura Marling, Tame Impala, David Bowie and a whole host of other names from the diverse realms of folk, jazz, samba, northern soul, and whatever else seems to take his eclectic fancy. True to the quote at the top of this piece, Weller had never stopped exploring the true wealth of music on offer to anyone willing to shovel through it.
But as the former Jam man has dug into the depths of music over the years, he has had to avoid a few turds on the surface. While he appears a little more cynical than perhaps his other contemporaries, Weller’s honesty is both his best and worst trait.
Oftentimes, his criticisms seem a little uncalled for, while other times, his cutting remarks courageously appear to lash out against well-established institutions. As both a product of his time and a constantly evolving thinker, Weller’s views on some of the best in the business have provided some of the industry’s most interesting and most talked-about moments over the years.
Five musicians Paul Weller hates:
Bono
Remember when U2 dropped that album onto Apple Music? Apparently, Weller was so annoyed at the marketing stunt that he called Noel Gallagher to complain. “Tell your fucking mate to get that thing off my iPhone,” he said, clearly irked by the sudden intrusion. However, Weller also actively despises U2’s music, once describing it as “pseudo-American rubbish”.
Although many would feel inclined to agree with anything that the Modfather says, it is often felt that his bitterness stems from mere irritation that explodes into something much bigger when provoked. There’s no doubt that Bono is on Weller’s “hate list”, according to Gallagher, but sometimes he likes to have a little fun with it. One time, Gallagher was in France with Bono and Elton John and decided to send a picture of the three of them to Weller to see his reaction. “Almost immediately, I get a text back saying, ‘You’ve gone too far this time!'” he said.
Freddie Mercury
There aren’t many musicians who would go on record to call others the C-word, but Weller did it more than once. In fact, he chose the same term of endearment to describe many of his fellow musicians, including Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. His remark was in light of Mercury’s growing praise as a spokesperson for the vulnerable, which he felt was an unworthy title for the singer.
“He said he wanted to bring ballet to the working classes. What a cunt,” he said, taking a jab at Mercury’s desire to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, allowing greater accessibility for hobbies that were previously confined only to those who could afford it. Of course, Weller deemed it a pipe dream, but his lack of explanation speaks volumes about his greater need to throw someone under the bus.
James Blunt
When rumours started circulating about Weller potentially performing at the Brits alongside James Blunt, he responded with: “[I would] rather eat my own shit than duet with him.” It’s easier to think of countless ways to articulate not wanting to perform alongside someone you deem in a different category musically. But Weller, in true fashion, opted for the most drastic.
Granted, Blunt and Weller is a strange and unexpected combination, but clearly, there was something absurd, even offensive, about suggesting they may occupy the same stage together. Of course, Weller’s delivery does seem a little amusing, but what do they say? Laugh, and you’ll only encourage them further?
Robert Smith
What Weller said about The Cure frontman is potentially one of the worst things anybody could say about anybody. Not only did he fill his remarks with impassioned swear words, but he also commented on the singer’s appearance while threatening to physically assault him.
Now, it’s obviously acceptable to dislike Robert Smith’s music, but Weller’s words seem too vicious and vindictive to defend. While some say that his disdain stemmed from The Cure borrowing some of The Jam’s equipment for their 1979 album Three Imaginary Boys, others say it started when Smith asserted that punk wasn’t a political movement, adding that you would have to be “particularly stupid” to “believe someone like Paul Weller”.
Regardless, something along the way seems to have been blown out of proportion, prompting Weller to hurl hatchets at the singer even decades down the line.
Sting
Weller’s issue with Sting seems to cut deep. “Fucking horrible man. Not my cup of tea at all. Fucking rubbish. No edge, no attitude, no nothing,” he once said. And if you’re still unsure as to whether the feeling is actually hatred, he also allegedly spat at the singer’s portrait at a Teenage Cancer Trust gig back in 2007.
Reasons for Weller’s sourness have been long debated, with some citing the pair’s consistent stealing of the others’ limelight, with the pair’s careers often inadvertently overlapping, as a key contributor. On the other hand, some contend that Sting getting the role in Dune instead of Weller irked him. Regardless, tensions are undeniably high among the stars, but Weller seems to run a lot hotter than his enemy.
He’s not alone in this regard with John Lydon and a few others also turning on former Police man. Still, Sting usually just laughs about it all and then gets back to his yoga
