'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, that's life
Tryna make ends meet, you're a slave to money then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah

No change, I can change
I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mold
I am here in my mold
But I'm a million different people
From one day to the next
I can't change my mold
No, no, no, no, no
Have you ever been down?

Well, I've never prayed but tonight I'm on my knees, yeah
I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now
But the airwaves are clean and there's nobody singin' to me now

No change, I can change
I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mold
I am here in my mold
And I'm a million different people
From one day to the next
I can't change my mold
No, no, no, no, no
(Have you ever been down?)
I can't change it, you know
I can't change it, no

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, that's life
Tryna make ends meet, tryna find somebody then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah

You know I can change, I can change
I can change, I can change
But I'm here in my mold
I am here in my mold
And I'm a million different people
From one day to the next
I can't change my mold
No, no, no, no, no

I can't change my mold
No, no, no, no, no
I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no
It's just sex and violence, melody and silence
It's just sex and violence, melody and silence
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
Been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
Have you ever been down?
Have you ever been down?
Have you ever been down?

Overall Meaning

The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” is a complex exploration of the struggles of life and the human experience. The lyrics tell of the difficulty of making ends meet, being a slave to money, and the futility of trying to change one’s mold, but also highlight the possibilities of change and personal growth. The song opens with the repeated line, “’Cause it’s a bittersweet symphony, that’s life,” which sets the tone for the rest of the song. Life is bittersweet, with both good and bad experiences intertwined. The use of symphony suggests that the complexities of life resemble the complexities of an orchestral work.

The song’s focus on the mundanity of living and the idea of being trapped spiritually are addressed in the lines, “No change, I can change, but I’m here in my mold.” The singer feels stuck, with no ability to alter their present situation. The repeated refrain of, “I can change, I can change,” emphasises the singer's yearning to change their circumstances. The singer acknowledges being a million different people from one day to the next but unable to change their mold, signifying their internal conflicts.

The song’s message is ultimately one of hope, however. The acknowledgment of life’s difficult aspects doesn't stop the singer from seeking change and growth. Despite the challenges of life, the possibility of change and striving towards something new continue to inspire the singer to take the only road they've ever been down. The song's final lines, "It’s just sex and violence, melody, and silence/ I’ll take you down the only road I’ve ever been down," suggest that although the journey may be difficult and drenched in dichotomies, it's worth taking.

Line by Line Meaning

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, that's life
Life is a mixture of happy and sad experiences, just like a symphony.

Tryna make ends meet, you're a slave to money then you die
Trying to survive and fulfill one's basic needs can lead to a life of monetary slavery, and in the end, everyone dies.

I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah
I'll show you the only path I know - the one that leads to where all the paths converge.

No change, I can change I can change, I can change But I'm here in my mold I am here in my mold But I'm a million different people From one day to the next I can't change my mold No, no, no, no, no (Have you ever been down?)
I know I could change, but I'm comfortable in the role I play. Although I am different from time to time, I also can't break my own mold, no matter how much I try.

Well, I've never prayed but tonight I'm on my knees, yeah I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now But the airwaves are clean and there's nobody singin' to me now
I am not a religious person, but tonight, I feel so hurt, and I seek comfort. Music can heal me and make me feel free, but today, there's no music to relieve my pain.

I can't change, oh, no I can't change, oh
No matter how hard I try, I can't change who I am.

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, that's life Tryna make ends meet, tryna find somebody then you die I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah
Life is challenging and can be both happy and painful, as one struggles to meet their needs and find companionship. I'll take you down my only path that leads to where all paths merge.

It's just sex and violence, melody and silence It's just sex and violence, melody and silence
Life is just a blend of sexuality and aggression, music and stillness.

Been down Ever been down Ever been down Ever been down Ever been down Have you ever been down? Have you ever been down? Have you ever been down?
I've been down many times, have you been too?

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Richard Ashcroft

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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