A Northern Soul
The Verve Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

This is a tale of a Northern Soul
Looking to find his way back home
He's coming from that same old road
You know the one your folds don't know

I want to see if you know me
I was born in a rented room
My mother didn't get no flowers
Dad didn't approve of me, do you?

I'm alive with something inside of me
And I don't think I'm coming back
So come on come in inside of me
Let's spread it all around

Give me your powder and pills
I want to see if they cure my ills
I've no time for love and devotion

No time for old fashioned potion
Take a look into my eyes
I tell you so many lies and then I'll let you go into the night
And I don't think I'm coming down
I'm alive with something inside of me
And I can't seem to get it out

I'm gonna die alone in bed
This is a tale of a northern soul
Looking for his way back home
And my friend said, "Come in side of me
And your speakers are telling the truth
Coming through and into your room on a river of sound"

This is a tale of a northern soul looking for his way back home
And if he sees it I know I'll know (repeat)
And there's fighting on the street below
I know there's fighting on the street below
But I don't care 'Cause I'm a Northern Soul
And I'm looking for a way back home

Too busy staying alive (repeat)




Too busy living a lie, too busy living my life
Too busy staying alive

Overall Meaning

The Verve's song "A Northern Soul" conveys the story of an individual from the north of England who is on a journey back to his roots. The song begins with a description of his travels and the different roads he takes to make it home. The singer then shares his personal history with the listener, revealing that he was born in a rented room and that his parents did not have a happy marriage. Despite this, he remains optimistic and feels alive with something inside of him. He implores others to join him in his enthusiasm, taking and spreading the joy he feels. The singer's desire to live life to the fullest lead him to seek out drugs, prioritizing his short-term pleasure over love and commitment. The song's title and refrain, "A Northern Soul looking for his way back home," suggest that the singer is seeking redemption for his actions.


The lyrics of "A Northern Soul" are deeply introspective, presenting a character who feels lost and disconnected from his past, while also grappling with addiction and the consequences of his actions. The song contains melancholic and wistful themes throughout, blending a sense of hope and optimism with an awareness of the limitations inherent in facing one's past. The song's use of sound effects and instrumentation also adds to the emotional tension, evoking feelings of unease and uncertainty.


Line by Line Meaning

This is a tale of a Northern Soul
The song tells a story about a person searching for their inner self.


Looking to find his way back home
The person is looking to reconnect with their true self.


He's coming from that same old road
The person is coming from a place of familiarity and comfort in their past.


You know the one your folds don't know
The person is searching for a path that is not commonly known or understood by others.


I want to see if you know me
The person wants to be understood and recognized by others.


I was born in a rented room
The person was born into a life of instability and uncertainty.


My mother didn't get no flowers
The person's mother did not receive any appreciation or recognition for her sacrifices and hard work.


Dad didn't approve of me, do you?
The person is seeking approval and validation from others, perhaps due to lack of support from their father figure.


I'm alive with something inside of me
The person feels a strong sense of vitality and purpose within themselves.


And I don't think I'm coming back
The person is committed to their path of self-discovery and does not want to return to their previous state of being.


So come on come in inside of me
The person invites others to join them on their journey and share in their passion.


Let's spread it all around
The person wants to inspire others and share their enthusiasm for life.


Give me your powder and pills
The person is experimenting with drugs as a means of escape or self-discovery.


I want to see if they cure my ills
The person is searching for a solution to their personal struggles and challenges.


I've no time for love and devotion
The person is focused on their journey of self-discovery and does not prioritize romantic relationships or emotional attachment.


No time for old fashioned potion
The person rejects traditional or conventional approaches to life in favor of their own unique path.


Take a look into my eyes
The person wants others to see the intensity and depth of their soul.


I tell you so many lies and then I'll let you go into the night
The person may deceive others about their true intentions or motives, but ultimately allows them to move on once their interaction has ended.


And I don't think I'm coming down
The person is committed to their path of self-discovery and does not want to return to their previous state of being.


I'm gonna die alone in bed
The person may feel isolated or misunderstood, and uncertain of the ultimate outcome of their journey.


And my friend said, "Come inside of me
A friend offers support or guidance to the person in their journey.


And your speakers are telling the truth
The person finds a sense of truth or clarity in the music they listen to.


Coming through and into your room on a river of sound"
The person finds inspiration and guidance through the music they listen to.


And if he sees it I know I'll know (repeat)
The person will recognize their true path when they see it.


And there's fighting on the street below
The person is aware of the struggles and conflicts in the world around them.


I know there's fighting on the street below
The person acknowledges the reality of the challenges and difficulties in life.


But I don't care 'Cause I'm a Northern Soul
The person is committed to their path, regardless of the challenges or obstacles they may face.


And I'm looking for a way back home
The person seeks to reconnect with their true self and find a sense of belonging and purpose.


Too busy staying alive (repeat)
The person is fully engaged in their path of self-discovery and is focused on survival and vitality.


Too busy living a lie, too busy living my life
The person rejects conventional expectations or societal norms in favor of their own unique and authentic path.


Too busy staying alive
Final repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the person's commitment to their path of self-discovery and vitality.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NICK MC CABE, PETER SALISBURY, RICHARD ASHCROFT, SIMON JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

tonebenderx

insanely good!  That bass line alone should be revered as a gift from God!

Celeste Williams

God.

I love this track and play it over and ove, again ❤

Celeste Williams

And tonight! Fourth time alreadys.

Must be the anniversary of last year, or summat...❤️🥰😎

houstonfob2FOREVER

Man that guitar riff is hypnotizing.

Jared Waite

This track still gives me mad swagger after all these years

lyonslaforet

Two years before Urban Hymns (1997), the Verve shone with this brilliant album!

Ashley Phillips

Such a cool song. very unique sounding and the lyrics are very poetic. I never get tired of this song. it's just too good

infrequentvlogs

I would not say A Storm In Heaven or A Northern Soul or Urban Hymns is "better"; I would say we're simply LUCKY to have all 3 in this lifetime.

Diego Stone

I say the same

macandme foley

what a band what a desolate hopeless and beautiful album 😍

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