Called "Paul Weller - Dancing Through the Fire", the authorised oral history of the legendary British musician also known as the mastermind behind bands like The Jam and The Style Council is already a Sunday Times bestseller. Rock and Roll Garage had the chance to speak with the author, Dan Jennings. In this interview, we discover more about his love for Paul’s career, the process of writing the book and some interesting insights into the incredible musician and his life. But before, see what Weller himself said about the book: "Nearly 50 years in music? How is that possible? When Dan mentioned that he’d interviewed over 250 people for this, I didn’t even know that I knew that many people... but he’s done it in a way that shows that it’s more than just about me, it’s the story of everyone who was there along the way," Paul Weller said. Interview with Dan Jennings, author of "Paul Weller - Dancing Through the Fire" Do you remember when you first heard Paul Weller’s music? What attracted you to it? "Yes, I remember it very clearly - it was 1992, and the song was ‘Uh Huh Oh Yeh!’ … Top of the Pops. The line-up at the time was Weller at the front, Jacko Peake on sax, Camelle Hinds on bass, and Steve White on drums. They had this almost diamond formation on stage, and Paul just looked so cool - he sounded fantastic, and it really stood out to me. Top of the Pops was quite random then, so you’d get everything from Mr Blobby to Peter Andre, and then suddenly Paul Weller would appear, which felt completely different to anything else on the show." "At the time, I was mostly listening to pop and dance acts like Banco De Gaia, The Shamen, C&C Music Factory, and The KLF, I loved all their stuff - so Weller’s music was a real departure for me. I loved it straight away, and, to be honest, I thought I’d discovered someone new. He seemed young and fresh - he was only about 35 then - and I had no idea about his history. It was only when we had some builders in at home and I mentioned Paul Weller to them that they said, “Yeah, we know Paul Weller, mate - you want to check out The Jam.” The next day, they brought in a cassette, probably Snap! or a Greatest Hits, and that opened up a whole new world for me. I loved all of it, and that’s really where my journey as a fan began." What was it like when you first had the chance to meet him and talk to him? Did he act the way you imagined? "My first encounter with Paul Weller was in 2008, and it was, frankly, surreal. I was working at a promotional event in Sainsbury’s, handing out chocolate for Nectar, when Paul turned up to do his shopping. My friend, Olivia, managed to coax him over to our van, and all I could muster was “big fan, big fan.” That was it. She chatted to him for a while whilst everything I had ever wanted to say disappeared from my brain. Then the woman from Nectar came over and asked if she could get a photo of Paul in front of their logo … “Nah, thanks” and off he went." "Fast forward to the podcast and then the book, and I’ve had the privilege of spending real time with him, interviewing him in depth. What struck me most is how grounded and generous he is with his time and thoughts. He’s direct, no-nonsense, but also open and reflective. Super funny too. No question has been off limits. He’s also deeply engaged when it comes to music and creativity. In many ways, he’s exactly as you’d hope - passionate, honest, and still driven by that same work ethic." What was the best thing for you, as a fan, about the process of writing the book and doing the podcast? "The best thing, without question, has been the chance to connect with so many people who are part of Paul’s story - not just the musicians, but also his friends, family, and the wider circle that’s surrounded him over the years. There’s something very special about hearing from people like his tour manager Kenny Wheeler, who’s been with him for over 50 years, or getting to episode 100 of the podcast and having Paul’s mum, Ann, as the guest. Those moments are unforgettable." "It’s also been a privilege to speak to band members like Bruce Foxton, Rick Buckler, Mick Talbot, and Dee C. Lee, as well as people like Steve White, who I interviewed in Brighton for Nicky Weller’s exhibition event. Even though Steve didn’t want to do the podcast or the book, having that conversation as part of the wider process was a thrill. The podcast and book have allowed me to bring together these different voices and stories, and as a fan, it’s been amazing to help build a fuller, more human picture of Paul Weller’s life and career." What was the most difficult part of writing the book? How long did it take? "The most challenging aspect was weaving together hundreds of hours of interviews into a coherent, compelling narrative. The book isn’t just a collection of transcripts - it’s a living document, built from the voices of over 250 contributors. Like a massive jigsaw puzzle of memories pieced together. Balancing those perspectives, ensuring the story flowed, and honouring the unique insights of each person took real care. Fact-checking, editing, and structuring the content was a huge undertaking, but ultimately incredibly rewarding." What do you think makes Paul’s songwriting so special? "It’s a funny one, because if you could truly pin down what makes Paul’s songwriting so special - if there was a formula - you’d be able to bottle it and sell it, wouldn’t you? The truth is, it’s almost impossible to define, and I think even Paul himself would struggle to explain it. What’s clear from both the book and the podcast is that his songs capture something deeply human and relatable, but they do it in ways that are always evolving." "If you look back at some of those Jam songs – ‘Down in the Tube Station at Midnight,’ ‘Private Hell,’ ‘Thick as Thieves’ - they’re like little plays, snapshots of British life, full of detail and atmosphere. But then you’ve got songs like ‘Village’ from On Sunset, which Paul described to me as being about a man who’s simply happy with his lot, strolling through Greenwich or Portobello Market, content and grounded. There’s a continuity there, but also a real progression in how he approaches storytelling." "Some of my favourite Weller songs, like ‘Frightened’ from Heliocentric or ‘Invisible’ from 22 Dreams, tap into something much more introspective - a sense of vulnerability or even despair. That’s really hard to do in a song that you want to sing along to, but that’s what great songwriters do: they find ways to express universal emotions in words and music that feel both personal and profound. Paul Weller has that knack, and it’s why he stands alongside the very best - he’s able to write songs that speak to different generations, moods, and moments, always with honesty and craft. For me, he’s up there with the truly exceptional songwriters, those who can make you feel seen and understood, even in just a few lines." What’s your favourite part of his career? "It’s impossible to pick just one era, because I dip into so much of his work. In recent years, albums like On Sunset and Fat Pop have really connected with me - perhaps because they coincided with the start of the podcast, but also because the songs are simply brilliant. I’ve also found myself revisiting Heavy Soul, and Heliocentric - albums that sometimes get overlooked but are full of depth and invention. Paul can be dismissive of certain periods, but I think there’s greatness in all of them." "His willingness to keep moving forward, experimenting, and (whilst he would call it this), reinventing himself is what makes his career so fascinating. Of course, I have a deep connection to that early ‘90s period because I was 16, I’d just discovered the music, he then created some incredible singles and albums that have stand up today… but I adore a heap for songs from The Style Council and The Jam too… impossible question!" Please correct me if I’m wrong, but the American market has always been the biggest goal for most British musicians, because of its size - offering greater record sales and touring opportunities. But from what I’ve read over the years, there were many bands that were more essentially British, especially due to their lyrics and themes - like The Kinks, for example. Many people say that Ray Davies’ songwriting is deeply connected to British culture, which didn’t appeal as much to American audiences. I believe Weller is a much bigger star in the UK compared to the U.S. and the rest of the world - am I right? Do you think that’s connected to his songwriting? "You’re absolutely right - his career has always been deeply rooted in British culture, and that’s reflected in a lot of his lyrics and themes. From The Jam onwards, his music has spoken to British life in a way that’s direct and unfiltered. There’s a sense of place and identity in his work that resonates strongly here, but can be harder to translate internationally, especially in the US. "In the book, several contributors touch on this – the idea that Weller’s songwriting is “essentially British,” much like Ray Davies as you mention. There was a moment in 1991 when Paul talks about a lifeline coming from Japan with a record deal, but also from the US market with a live dates in LA, but ultimately, his biggest impact has always been at home. That’s not to say he hasn’t had international success, but his appeal is closely tied to the lived experience of Britain." "Paul also talked to me about how early on his career, record bosses in the US talked about how if he wanted to make it there, he needed to spend months touring around everywhere - and that just wasn’t for him." As someone whose first language is Portuguese, when I listen to a song written in another language, the first thing I notice and focus on is the melody and the chords. But I believe that the lyrics might be equally important as those things for a native speaker who’s hearing the songs. "That’s a really interesting observation, and it’s something that comes up in the book as well. For many fans, especially in the UK, his lyrics are central to the experience - they’re sharp, evocative, and often loaded with meaning. But the music itself is just as important. His ability to craft memorable melodies and inventive arrangements means his songs connect on multiple levels, regardless of language. Contributors to the book talk about how his music can move you even if you don’t catch every word, but for those who do, the lyrics add another layer of depth," Dan Jennings said.The post New book about Paul Weller: Exclusive interview with author Dan Jennings appeared first on Rock and Roll Garage.