Paul Weller has shared a new cover of the Bee Gees‘ ‘I Started A Joke’ – you can listen to it below.
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The striking rendition of the legendary trio’s 1968 classic track will appear on the soloist and former Jam frontman’s covers album, ‘Find El Dorado’, out July 25 via Parlophone (pre-order/pre-save here).
It follows Weller’s recent renditions of ‘Lawdy Rolla’ (originally recorded by obscure French studio band The Guerrillas) and ‘Pinball’ (Brian Protheroe).
The singer-songwriter’s spin on ‘I Started A Joke’ is said to be “a centrepiece” of the forthcoming ‘Find El Dorado’, per a press release. However, Weller didn’t hear the Bee Gees’ original until after he had recorded numerous albums of his own.
“It’s one of those tracks that almost makes you rethink your own writing,” Weller explained.
“It reinforces the value of a great melody. And perhaps with someone like Robin Gibb [on lead vocals], who didn’t play any instruments, that’s doubly important.”
He continued: “Because that – along with the words you’ve written for it – is all you can really communicate to the musicians and the arranger. So everything is hanging off that.”
Weller’s ‘I Started A Joke’ is accompanied by a colourful, animated official visualiser. Tune in above.
‘Find El Dorado’ is described as “a map of [Weller’s] emotional and musical DNA” that sees the artist “revisit songs that have long lived in the back of his mind – now reimagined with fresh meaning and a sense of reverence”.
The collection also contains reimaginings of classic songs by the likes of The Kinks (‘Nobody’s Fool’) and Bobby Charles (‘Small Town Talk’).
In a previous statement about the project, Weller said: “These are songs I’ve carried with me for years. They’ve taken on new shapes over time. And now felt like the moment to share them.”
An official description reads: “These are songs that shaped his inner world – and now, through a mix of intimate arrangements and standout collaborations with the likes of Hannah Peel, Declan O’Rourke, Robert Plant, Seckou Keita, Amelia Coburn and Noel Gallagher, he’s passing them on.
“This is Weller at his most reflective, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the music that made him, and a reminder that great songs never age, they just evolve.”
‘Find El Dorado’ marks Weller’s return to Parlophone Records. He released his 17th and latest solo album, ’66’, via Polydor in May 2024 – the day before his 66th birthday.
Meanwhile, this spring saw Weller sign a letter from Heavenly Recordings to support Kneecap’s right to “freedom of expression” amid the recent controversy around the Irish rap trio.
In other news, the singer was spotted with Noel Gallagher at Sex Pistols and Frank Carter’s intimate live gig at London’s 100 Club earlier this year.
