In July’s jmag, we asked you what Maximo Park singer Paul Smith was on about in their ridiculously catchy single 'Our Velocity'. We gave away Maximo Park prize packs to the best entries - but what did Paul think? Read on…
The lyrics in question were: "Are you willing to resist / For people you’ve never met / The devil's wheel revolves / But it needs to be reset”. Here are our winners’ interpretations, and Paul’s responses.  
1. Reece FreaK: Paul Smith is challenging critics, increased fame and creative licence. The people they've never met are the critics and nay-sayers in the industry who have ridden Maximo Park into the “Brit-indie-new-wave” scene (the devil's wheel being reset = fashionable trends coming and going) and think they can stifle an artist's expression.
Paul Smith: Wow! Someone thinks we're artists, which is a nice change! Well, the songs we write have never been about the music industry (yet), but I agree that people seem to have a preconceived idea of us as part of some scene when I think we sound quite unique amongst other pop bands. We're also not interested in fashions and trends either. An interesting interpretation.
2. Dolly Purple: I think this is Paul's call to arms: he's saying people need to make a stand against what they're unhappy with — whether it be war or rubbish music.
Paul Smith: That's pretty accurate — well done!
3. Paul Taylor: Smith's obviously on about chocolate in those lyrics. Personally I'm not willing to resist chocolate for people I've never met. As for the devil's wheel revolving and needing to be reset, that's the packet of Wagon Wheels that's mysteriously devoured as soon as it rolls into the pantry.
Paul Smith: I'm also a chocolate fiend… but Wagon Wheels? Way off the mark!
4. Julia Hay: I reckon Paul Smith means that we shouldn't be so hostile to strangers and shouldn't judge them without knowing them properly first, and that even though horrible things do happen in the world we shouldn't dwell on them and focus on the present.
Paul Smith: I reckon there's an element of the lyric that reminds us to stay focused on the present because it's easy to be dazzled by the speed with which we hurtle through life.
5. Quinn Seaton: It means, can you leave temptation behind and forget the great cults of higher laws, and realise that your technique is polluting you and that you need to start anew?
Paul Smith: That is a truly unique interpretation! It's made me think a bit more about the song, especially given the context of the album's title. I'm also a little worried about my technique, but that's another story… |
