Friday Sessions #14: ‘Don’t let them get you down’ – ‘Wild Wood (Sheared Wood Remix)’, Paul Weller Vs Portishead

In this week’s Friday Session we are listening to a remix of the classic Paul Weller track ‘Wild Wood’, but with a strong touch of Portishead. Check out the lyrics for the line: ‘Don’t let them get you down.’ As I’m sure you know, the word ‘get’ has infinite meanings in English. In this context, the common phrasal verb ‘get down’ is used to express something which can depress or discourage someone.

Examples:

1. “The constant rain and grey skies sometimes get me down.”

2. “I know you’ve been rejected a few times, but don’t let it get you down.”

Note that these two examples are very different. The first is like a complaint, and in the second example (and also in today’s track,) it’s used to express support or reassurance.

Next time you’re watching a film or series, you might also hear: “Don’t let em get you down mate!”

Lyrics:

High tide, mid-afternoon
People fly by in the traffics boom
Knowing just where you’re blowing
Getting to where you should be going

Don’t let them get you down
Making you feel guilty about
Golden rain will bring you riches
All the good things you deserve now, right now

Climbing, forever trying
Find your way out of the wild, wild wood
Now there’s no justice
You’ve only yourself that you can trust in

And I said high tide, mid-afternoon
Oh, people fly by and the traffics boom
Oh, knowing just where you’re blowing
Getting to where you should be going

Day by day your world fades away
Waiting to feel all the dreams that say
Golden rain will bring you riches
All the good things you deserve now

And I said climbing, forever trying
You’re gonna find your way out
Of the wild, wild wood
Said you’re gonna find your way out of the wild, wild wood
Wild, wild wood