Richard Ashcroft (born Richard Paul Ashcroft, on September 11, 1971, in Bil… Read Full Bio ↴Richard Ashcroft (born Richard Paul Ashcroft, on September 11, 1971, in Billinge, Wigan, England) is best known as the front man of The Verve, which he helped form in 1989.

After that band's demise in 1999, Ashcroft began his solo career, releasing Alone with Everybody in 2000, Human Conditions in 2002 and Keys to the World in 2006. He performed vocals for the track Lonely Soul on UNKLE's 1998 release Psyence Fiction and his voice can also be heard on the The Chemical Brothers' album Come With Us track The Test.

He is good friends with Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and Coldplay's Chris Martin (whom Ashcroft thanks for 'letting me be myself again'), and occasionally plays as support at Oasis and Coldplay concerts, including the European and second UK legs of Coldplay's 'Twisted Logic Tour'. He recently described himself as 'the best support act you'll ever see'. The Oasis track "Cast No Shadow" is dedicated to him. Chris Martin introduced him as "the best singer in the world" when he performed "Bitter Sweet Symphony" (which Martin called "the best song in the world") with Coldplay at the London Live 8 concert in 2005. On his second album Human Conditions The Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson guest stars on the song Nature is the Law.

Ashcroft is married to Kate Radley, ex-Spiritualized keyboard player.

I Get My Beat
Richard Ashcroft Lyrics

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Get my beat with you
When we see things through
And I think about you all the time

Who the winners in the game we're playing
I don't even think they know
Who the losers and how much they're paying
I don't even think they know

I need to hear the truth
From the soul of you
Chase the moments we can share

Who the winners in the game we're playing
I don't even think they know
Who the losers and how much they're paying
I don't even think they know

They've got time
They've got life
Take and take your time

I got to hear the sound of the morning song
It's the right place with your head
I'm blowing smoke and I feel so damn fine
I know you care

Who the winners in the game we're playing
I don't even think they know

Who the losers and how much they're paying
I don't even think they know

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Richard Ashcroft's song "I Get My Beat" are a declaration of an intense connection that the singer shares with someone special. They "get their beat" with this individual, meaning that they feel a strong sense of synchronicity with them. They see things similarly and are on the same wavelength, which makes them feel complete. The singer's infatuation with the person is evident as they state that they think about them all the time. They want to hear "the truth from the soul of you," which suggests that they want this person to be emotionally honest and open with them. This line captures the profound sense of intimacy that the singer is longing for.

The chorus of the song is intriguing as it delves into the concept of a 'game' that the individuals are playing, the rules and the stakes of which seem to be unclear. The singer muses aloud that they don't think 'the winners' even know that they are victorious, nor do 'the losers' know how much they are paying. This line is an indictment of the emptiness and senselessness of modern life with its games, rewards, and punishments. The singer is yearning for a life that is more fulfilling and genuine, centred around honest human connection.

The rest of the song continues in this vein, with the singer longing to spend more time with the person they are in love with. They find solace in being close to them and make references to smoking and feeling 'so damn fine'. Towards the end of the song, the singer acknowledges that time and life are at the disposal of the individual they love and encourages them to take their time. The song ends on an optimistic note as the singer expresses a desire to hear 'the sound of the morning song,' a metaphor for a new beginning or fresh start.

Line by Line Meaning

Get my beat with you
I am in sync with you

When we see things through
Our perspective is aligned

And I think about you all the time
You are constantly on my mind

Who the winners in the game we're playing
I am uncertain of who is winning in our situation

I don't even think they know
It is unclear even to those involved

Who the losers and how much they're paying
I am unsure of who is losing and what they are sacrificing

I need to hear the truth
I require honesty

From the soul of you
A genuine, heartfelt answer

Chase the moments we can share
Let's make the most of our time together

They've got time
There are others who have more freedom

They've got life
There are others who have less restrictions