'I just want to switch the machine off for a little bit...' Paul Weller is taking a break from music
Paul Weller - former frontman of The Jam and The Style Council - has revealed he is taking a break from music following his 2024 tour and the release of his covers album Find El Dorado.
Paul Weller is taking a break from music.
The 67-year-old British rocker - whose career has spanned six decades - has decided to have a rest from life on the road after reaching a career high, in his opinion, with his concerts in 2024 in the UK and Europe.
Speaking in Dan Jennings' new book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire – The Authorised Oral History, Weller said: "That tour - all of us, me included - we all said it’s the best tour we’ve ever done… regardless of whatever I’ve done in my last 40-odd years. "It was just the best tour ever, man. And the best band I’ve ever played with. I don’t know how long those things last for, but we were all at the top of our game, and there was so much communication between us, and the audience as well. It was just incredible. You think after all that time you’re still hitting a personal best, and that’s pretty incredible, right? That doesn’t always happen. It normally goes the other way.”
Despite releasing four albums in the last five years, Weller is also taking a break from songwriting as he wants to "switch the machine off for a little bit".
And at the moment, Paul - who released covers album Find El Dorado in July 2025 - isn't sure when, or if, he will start writing again.
He said: "I don’t want to write for a while as well. I just want to switch the machine off for a little bit … beyond this year, man, I ain’t got a clue what’s going to happen. I don’t know.”
Weller’s decision to take a break follows a prolific career that began in the 1970s as the frontman of The Jam, one of Britain’s most influential punk and mod revival bands known for hits like Going Underground and Town Called Malice.
In a shock move, Paul split up The Jam in 1982 and then formed soul band The Style Council, releasing hits like Shout to the Top!, You're The Best Thing and Long Hot Summer.
'The Modfather' Weller then went solo, releasing his self-titled LP in 1992 then cemented his status as the 'Godfather of Britpop' with acclaimed albums Wild Wood and Stanley Road.
Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire – The Authorised Oral History was inspired by Jennings' acclaimed Paul Weller Fan Podcast: Desperately Seeking Paul which debuted in 2020 and featured 180 in-depth interviews culminating in a two-hour conversation with Weller.
The podcast was nominated for Best Music Podcast at the 2024 Independent Podcast Awards.
Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire – The Authorised Oral History is available to buy now at Waterstones, Foyles, Amazon and independent bookshops across the UK.
