A Northern Soul
ÉñÔÏ£¨The Verve£© Lyrics

This is a tale of a Northern Soul
The song is about a person from the north of England who is lost and trying to find their way home.

Looking to find his way back home
The singer is searching for their way back to their roots.

He's coming from that same old road
They are coming from a familiar place and following a well-trodden path.

You know the one your folds don't know
The path is known to the locals but not to those who are not from the area.

I want to see if you know me
The artist is seeking recognition and validation.

I was born in a rented room
They come from humble beginnings and have not had a privileged upbringing.

My mother didn't get no flowers
The singer's mother did not receive any recognition or appreciation for her role in their upbringing.

Dad didn't approve of me, do you?
The artist is questioning whether the listener would accept and approve of them, in a similar way to their father's disapproval.

I'm alive with something inside of me
The artist feels a sense of vibrancy or passion within them.

And I don't think I'm coming back
They do not plan on returning to their previous way of life or mindset.

So come on come in inside of me
The singer is inviting the listener to join them on this journey.

Let's spread it all around
They want to share their passion and energy with those around them.

Give me your powder and pills
The singer is seeking substances to enhance their experience or alter their state of mind.

I want to see if they cure my ills
They are hoping that these substances will help alleviate any emotional or physical pain they may be feeling.

I've no time for love and devotion
They are not interested in romantic or emotional connections at this point in their life.

No time for old fashioned potion
They reject traditional methods of healing or finding fulfilment.

Take a look into my eyes
The artist is challenging the listener to see if they can truly understand them.

I tell you so many lies and then I'll let you go into the night
The singer may be deceptive or unwilling to fully open up to the listener.

And I don't think I'm coming down
They are not going to backpedal on their journey or beliefs.

I'm gonna die alone in bed
The artist predicts they will live a lonely life and potentially die alone.

And my friend said, "Come in side of me
The artist's friend is inviting them to join them on their own journey.

And your speakers are telling the truth
The music is a truthful representation of the artist's experiences and emotions.

Coming through and into your room on a river of sound"
The music has the power to transport the listener and create a shared experience.

And if he sees it I know I'll know
If the artist finds their way back home, they will have found what they were searching for.

And there's fighting on the street below
There is conflict and struggle happening around them.

I know there's fighting on the street below
The singer is acknowledging the conflict but chooses to focus on their own journey.

But I don't care 'Cause I'm a Northern Soul
The singer emphasizes their identity as a person from the North who is resilient and tough.

And I'm looking for a way back home
The ultimate goal of the journey is to find a sense of belonging and comfort.

Too busy staying alive
The artist is focused on survival and getting by day-to-day.

Too busy living a lie, too busy living my life
They may be avoiding facing their true emotions or reality, in order to cope or survive.

Too busy staying alive
Repeats the same meaning as earlier in the song.