What do you think?
Rate this book
Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire: The Authorised Oral History: The Sunday Times Bestseller
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
A ROUGH TRADE, RESIDENT, UNCUT, SHINDIG!, CLASH MAGAZINE AND TLS BOOK OF THE YEAR
'This is as definitive an account of the artist as we have to date' MOJO
'It's a treasure trove of personal recollections, and the picture that emerges is of a band with an incredible connection to its fans that would be unimaginable today . . . Weller can't be tied down and won't sell out. Dancing Through the Fire offers a route to understand him, and the picture it presents is never less than surprising. We shouldn't have expected anything else' Daily Telegraph
'An amazing book about an amazing man and an amazing career, with beautiful, brilliant music' Paul Ross
The groundbreaking oral history on one of the most legendary musicians of all Paul Weller.
Across musical history, certain artists have transcended their craft to become cultural icons, leaving an indelible mark on the world of sound and style. Paul Weller, the legendary British musician, singer and songwriter, stands among the select few whose influence spans generations. His enduring popularity, traversing the explosive energy of The Jam to the sophisticated sounds of The Style Council and a prolific solo career spanning over thirty years, underscores the timeless appeal of his work. Weller also holds a unique position in music he shares the rare distinction with Lennon and McCartney as one of the few artists to achieve Number 1 albums in five consecutive decades.
Dancing Through the Fire explores the fascinating narrative of Paul Weller's musical career, weaving together never-before-told stories, intimate insights and perspectives from the man himself and those who have been integral to his remarkable journey.
With unique access to his inner circle - including family, friends, bandmates, producers, and long-time collaborators - award-winning broadcaster and journalist Dan Jennings weaves together over 200 hours of exclusive conversations, allowing exclusive access to the man behind the music, including his unparalleled drive, creative struggles and personal triumphs that have shaped his iconic career and legacy.
Endlessly candid, insightful and definitive in its approach, Dancing Through the Fire captures the essence of Weller's musical evolution through the voices of those who know him best.
Sunday Times Bestseller 21/09/2025
A ROUGH TRADE, RESIDENT, UNCUT, SHINDIG!, CLASH MAGAZINE AND TLS BOOK OF THE YEAR
'This is as definitive an account of the artist as we have to date' MOJO
'It's a treasure trove of personal recollections, and the picture that emerges is of a band with an incredible connection to its fans that would be unimaginable today . . . Weller can't be tied down and won't sell out. Dancing Through the Fire offers a route to understand him, and the picture it presents is never less than surprising. We shouldn't have expected anything else' Daily Telegraph
'An amazing book about an amazing man and an amazing career, with beautiful, brilliant music' Paul Ross
The groundbreaking oral history on one of the most legendary musicians of all Paul Weller.
Across musical history, certain artists have transcended their craft to become cultural icons, leaving an indelible mark on the world of sound and style. Paul Weller, the legendary British musician, singer and songwriter, stands among the select few whose influence spans generations. His enduring popularity, traversing the explosive energy of The Jam to the sophisticated sounds of The Style Council and a prolific solo career spanning over thirty years, underscores the timeless appeal of his work. Weller also holds a unique position in music he shares the rare distinction with Lennon and McCartney as one of the few artists to achieve Number 1 albums in five consecutive decades.
Dancing Through the Fire explores the fascinating narrative of Paul Weller's musical career, weaving together never-before-told stories, intimate insights and perspectives from the man himself and those who have been integral to his remarkable journey.
With unique access to his inner circle - including family, friends, bandmates, producers, and long-time collaborators - award-winning broadcaster and journalist Dan Jennings weaves together over 200 hours of exclusive conversations, allowing exclusive access to the man behind the music, including his unparalleled drive, creative struggles and personal triumphs that have shaped his iconic career and legacy.
Endlessly candid, insightful and definitive in its approach, Dancing Through the Fire captures the essence of Weller's musical evolution through the voices of those who know him best.
Sunday Times Bestseller 21/09/2025
983 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2025
45 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 3, 2025
Absolutely stunning book. So fascinating reading personal anecdotes from such a huge variety of people. It took me such a long time to read though as I kept having to stop and listen to all the amazing songs that were mentioned through the book! I have always loved Paul Weller. He is a genius but also a very private person, but this book makes me feel like I now know him a little better as a person. And I now love him even more than I did before!
Read
October 8, 2025Magnificent achievement by Dan Jennings.
January 10, 2026
‘No, he’s finished, it’s over.’ So, the more I heard that, I was like: Right, you fuckers, I’m finished yeah? - Paul Weller
One of the main criticisms I had of Elton John’s autobiography Me was that there simply wasn’t enough about the music. I wanted more insight into how those great records were actually made. That criticism absolutely cannot be levelled at Dancing Through the Fire. In fact, it’s the complete opposite.
This book is immersed in the music, the records, recording sessions, tours, festivals are all covered. The anecdotes focus overwhelmingly on the creative process – the making of albums with The Jam, The Style Council, and Paul Weller’s remarkable solo catalogue. If you’re interested in songwriting, recording sessions, and how a career is sustained over decades through constant reinvention, this delivers in spades.
At one point someone describes Weller as the UK’s answer to Neil Young, and it’s hard to disagree. Both are fiercely uncompromising artists, uninterested in the trappings of fame that often come with success, and both have maintained their integrity throughout long, productive careers. Two genuinely classy individuals.
The book is constructed from a series of interviews, assembled at Paul’s own suggestion following a run of podcasts. This oral-history approach works well, particularly in capturing different perspectives on the same periods and projects. It is full of interesting and revealing anecdotes as well.
“Uncut wanted a cover story with Paul, so I joined him in San Francisco … the iconic Fillmore West … I talked to Paul before he went on and he was shaking and I was like, ‘You’re really nervous.’ He said that he still gets nervous before every single show, from the very first time he played in a school hall to now.”
The final third does peter out slightly, becoming a familiar cycle of recording session, tour, recording session again, as recalled by those involved. Even so, it’s never boring and remains consistently engaging.
Overall, Dancing Through the Fire is an excellent account of Paul Weller’s career. It would have been interesting to learn more about his private life,
‘you want to delve a little bit into his personal life because that will impact on the things he’s writing and what he has to say. The personal informs the musical.’
However in the end you come to understand enough about the man and his personality through his work. And really, that feels entirely fitting for an artist like Weller.
One of the main criticisms I had of Elton John’s autobiography Me was that there simply wasn’t enough about the music. I wanted more insight into how those great records were actually made. That criticism absolutely cannot be levelled at Dancing Through the Fire. In fact, it’s the complete opposite.
This book is immersed in the music, the records, recording sessions, tours, festivals are all covered. The anecdotes focus overwhelmingly on the creative process – the making of albums with The Jam, The Style Council, and Paul Weller’s remarkable solo catalogue. If you’re interested in songwriting, recording sessions, and how a career is sustained over decades through constant reinvention, this delivers in spades.
At one point someone describes Weller as the UK’s answer to Neil Young, and it’s hard to disagree. Both are fiercely uncompromising artists, uninterested in the trappings of fame that often come with success, and both have maintained their integrity throughout long, productive careers. Two genuinely classy individuals.
The book is constructed from a series of interviews, assembled at Paul’s own suggestion following a run of podcasts. This oral-history approach works well, particularly in capturing different perspectives on the same periods and projects. It is full of interesting and revealing anecdotes as well.
“Uncut wanted a cover story with Paul, so I joined him in San Francisco … the iconic Fillmore West … I talked to Paul before he went on and he was shaking and I was like, ‘You’re really nervous.’ He said that he still gets nervous before every single show, from the very first time he played in a school hall to now.”
The final third does peter out slightly, becoming a familiar cycle of recording session, tour, recording session again, as recalled by those involved. Even so, it’s never boring and remains consistently engaging.
Overall, Dancing Through the Fire is an excellent account of Paul Weller’s career. It would have been interesting to learn more about his private life,
‘you want to delve a little bit into his personal life because that will impact on the things he’s writing and what he has to say. The personal informs the musical.’
However in the end you come to understand enough about the man and his personality through his work. And really, that feels entirely fitting for an artist like Weller.
November 18, 2025
I have followed Weller since the Jam came out in the late 70's and his songs are like postcards across my life. This book is based on podcasts about him from all sorts of friends and collaborators over his entire career. I had followed the podcast series and listened to the contributors who interested me most. I found that this was the same approach I took to the book where I dipped in and out across the chronology for moments that interested me most. Its written from a fan perspective and it is a testimony to the man himself who comes out of this with integrity and talent intact. A must read for any fan.
September 24, 2025
A absolute masterpiece , You feel you are completely absorbed in a conversation around a table
A must read for anyone who loves music
Highs and Lows and everything in between
Take a bow Mr Jennings
A must read for anyone who loves music
Highs and Lows and everything in between
Take a bow Mr Jennings
October 11, 2025
fantastic book
October 15, 2025
An excellent read. Superbly fashioned from the hundreds of captivating podcasts. Interesting, funny, informative... An indispensable book for any Weller fan.
November 6, 2025
Fantastic book. Listened to many of Dan’s podcasts. As a lifelong Weller fan this book was everything I could want. Would highly recommend. Hope Dan does similar with another musician at some stage.
December 28, 2025
Just about everything a fan of The Jam , The Style Council & his solo work a Paul Weller fan could possibly want
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews