Bittersweet Symphony
ÉñÔÏ£¨The Verve£© Lyrics


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'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Try to 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't change
I can't change, I can't 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

Well I never pray
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 airways are clean and there's nobody singing to me now

No change, I can't change
I can't change, I can't 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
I can't change

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Try to make ends meet
Try to find some 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 things meet yeah

You know I can't change, I can't change
I can't change, I can't 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
Can't change my body,
No, no, no

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've ever been down?

Overall Meaning

The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony" is widely regarded as one of the most iconic songs of the '90s, thanks in part to its stunning orchestral arrangement and thought-provoking lyrics. The title itself suggests that life is a mix of both positive and negative experiences, and the opening line, "Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life," confirms that observation. The singer of the song focuses on the pursuit of money, and how the system appears to enslave one to live a particular way of life just to make ends meet.


The second stanza, "No change, I can't change...," emphasizes one of the song's primary themes: the lack of control one has within their life. The line, "But I'm here in my mold," suggests that no matter how much one might desire to change their situation, they might be confined to a life that makes them feel powerless. The chorus further reinforces this idea, as the singer admits they are "a million different people from one day to the next," but they cannot "change their mold." They are forced to follow a path that leads to the intersection of all veins, even though it is not necessarily where they want to be.


The last stanza, "I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down...," is where the singer becomes the singer, offering to take us down a road we have never been down. The repetition of "ever been down" is symbolic of the singer's repetitive life, and how they have travelled down the same road every day. We can interpret this as a cry for help or a statement of resignation, depending on our perspective.


Line by Line Meaning

Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Life is full of both positive and negative experiences, like a symphony that has both happy and sad notes.


Try to make ends meet
I strive to attain financial stability and survival.


You're a slave to money then you die
Money plays a powerful hold on your life that is almost oppressive, and eventually we all die regardless of how wealthy we are.


I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
I will show you the path that I have followed and I consider it to be the only one.


You know the one that takes you to the places Where all the veins meet yeah
This path leads to the places where everything is connected and there is no distinction between one thing and another.


No change, I can't change
I am unable to change who I am, despite attempts to do so.


But I'm here in my mold
I recognize my limitations, but I am still unapologetically myself.


And I'm a million different people From one day to the next
Although I am myself, I am constantly changing and adapting to new situations and experiences and am not the same person I was yesterday.


I can't change my mold
I cannot escape who I am at my core.


Well I never pray But tonight I'm on my knees yeah
Prayer does not usually factor into my life, but today I am desperate and willing to try anything to alleviate my pain.


I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah
I yearn for a connection with music that will empathize with the pain I am experiencing.


I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now
The music I hear rejuvenates my spirit and brings a sense of freedom and clarity to my thoughts.


But the airways are clean and there's nobody singing to me now
The music that connects with me appears to be absent, and I am unable to hear it through the channels I am searching for it in.


You know I can't change, I can't change
I cannot change my fundamental nature and beliefs.


But I'm here in my mold
Although I may not have the power to change, I am proud of who I am.


And I'm a million different people From one day to the next
Despite being stuck in my ways, I am open to growth and evolution.


I can't change my mold
Even if I could change, I am content with who I am.


I can't change my mold
Reinforcing my belief in my own unalterable self.


I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
I take comfort in doing things that have been already proven successful for me in the past.


Been down Ever been down Ever been down Ever been down
Reflecting on how I've faced similar circumstances in the past and how I can continue to navigate them.


Can't change my body, No no no
Additionally, there are physical and innate aspects of myself that are beyond my control.


Have you ever been down? Have you ever been down?
Asking the listener if they have experienced the same struggles and questioning whether they try to change who they are in response to them.




Lyrics © Abkco Music, Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, RIchard Ashcroft

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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