Beginning with a psychedelic sound indebted to space rock and shoegazer music, by the mid-1990s the band had released several EPs and two acclaimed records. They also endured name and lineup changes, breakups, health problems, drug abuse and various lawsuits. The band's commercial breakthrough was Urban Hymns and its single Bitter Sweet Symphony, which became a massive worldwide hit.
Soon after this commercial peak, the band quit amid creative struggles within, and Ashcroft went onto a successful solo career. Tong briefly joined Blur as a replacement for Graham Coxon. It is rumored that Simon Jones did a studio album with Ari Pap of the Floor Monks called 'Aint Nothing To It' and was never released because they both had bigger projects going on at the time. Close family and friends assure us its a fabulous indie/rock/alternate album and they really wish it would have been released.
The Verve were chosen to close the 2008 Glastonbury festival which they did with a set based on the classic 1997 album 'Urban Hymns'.
Discography:
A Storm in Heaven • 21 June 1993 • #27 (UK)
A Northern Soul • 3 July 1995 • #13 (UK)
Urban Hymns • 29 September 1997 • #1 (UK) #23 (US)
Forth • 25 August 2008 • #1 (UK) #23 (US)
Already There
The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Save your books and your pills
I don't need them I'm there
You can do anything you want to
All you've got to do is try
My best years had left me behind
Then I felt them come back (to me)
And all the wild eyes
All the wild eyes know what I mean
If trees cut stars and eyes to heaven
I'll bend them back and bend them again
If my skin looks tired and old from living
I'll turn right back and live it again
You better pray when the music stops
And you're left alone in your mind
'Cause I'll be hearing music till the day I die
Then I heard it turn off
I swear I heard the screams
And all the wild eyes
All the wild eyes know what I mean
They're scared they've lost their dream
They press down on me
You know I thought I was there
Hello, high, are you?
Yes?
Well that explains it
Oh you were walking round like some kind of angel
You were walking round like some kind of angel
Hello, high, are you? Yes?
Well that explains it
Well that explains it
The Verve's Already There seems to be a song about a sense of enlightenment, a feeling of being content and fulfilled. In the first two lines of the song, the singer declares, “seen it all, I’m already there,” suggesting a sense of fulfilment, as if there is no need or want for anything else. The singer goes on to say that they don’t need books or pills, which could be a nod towards therapy or self-help methods. They further state that they can achieve anything they want simply by trying.
The song goes on to talk about feeling as though the best days have already passed, but then having a resurgence of that joyous feeling, which every wild-eyed person understands, suggesting that the best days are yet to come. Furthermore, the singer talks about turning back the clock and living a life full of fun, adventure, and passion even when your skin looks old and tired. The line "you better pray when the music stops and you're left alone in your mind" reveals the importance of enjoying life and cherishing every moment because one day it might all come to an end.
The song's chorus repeats, "hello, high, are you?" twice, implying a reference to drugs or alcohol. It suggests that achieving this sense of fulfilment could be quite challenging, perhaps an indication of how people turn to substance abuse to escape reality. Still, the "angel" imagery throughout the lyrics also highlights the importance of seeking peace and an enduring sense of fulfilment without external aid. Overall, "Already There" is a song that encourages perseverance, taking risks, and pushing oneself to achieve the highest level of happiness possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Seen it all I'm already there
I have experienced everything life has to offer and I am content with where I am.
Save your books and your pills
I do not need any self-help guides or medication to feel fulfilled.
You can do anything you want to
The possibilities of life are endless, and all you need to do is put in the effort to achieve your aspirations.
All you've got to do is try
Success comes with hard work and persistence, and it is important to keep trying despite setbacks.
I thought my best days had left me
I once believed that I had already lived through the best days of my life.
My best years had left me behind
I felt as though my prime was over and that I could never experience that feeling again.
Then I felt them come back (to me)
However, I began to feel that sense of vitality return to me.
And all the wild eyes
The people who share my sense of feeling and understanding.
All the wild eyes know what I mean
These people understand precisely what I am trying to convey.
If trees cut stars and eyes to heaven
Metaphorically suggesting that anything is possible, even the impossible.
I'll bend them back and bend them again
Emphasizing the idea of resilience and the ability to overcome obstacles.
If my skin looks tired and old from living
Even if my exterior physique is worn-out, my inner spirit will not be defeated.
I'll turn right back and live it again
I will rise from any difficulties and hardships, and continue to live an inspired and meaningful life.
You better pray when the music stops
Once the liveliness of life drains, people are likely to feel empty inside.
And you're left alone in your mind
The absence of external stimuli deepens people's internal contemplation.
'Cause I'll be hearing music till the day I die
Even when life seems mundane, I will keep that fire within me burning, driving me forward and motivating me to keep going.
Then I heard it turn off
The moment that gave me inspiration ended, and I returned to reality.
I swear I heard the screams
Imagining the panicked response people tend to have when they lose their sense of purpose or direction.
And all the wild eyes
People who share my viewpoint, and can empathize with the fears of losing a sense of purpose.
All the wild eyes know what I mean
Sharing a common understanding and relatability.
They're scared they've lost their dream
Being frightened of losing one's goals, passion and drive.
They press down on me
Feeling as if the expectations and fears of others are pushing down on the person.
You know I thought I was there
At one point, I thought that I had it all, a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Hello, high, are you?
Referencing a person who is in a euphoric state, often associated with the use of drugs.
Yes?
Responding in agreement to the state of euphoria.
Well that explains it
Understanding the reason behind that person's carefree and high-spirited behavior.
Oh, you were walking round like some kind of angel
The high-spirit that this person felt made them seem almost angelic, light-bringing and invigorating.
You were walking round like some kind of angel
Emphasizing the person's perceived angelic qualities.
Well that explains it
Underlining the link between the person's state of euphoria and their forward-looking attitude.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NICK MC CABE, PETER SALISBURY, RICHARD ASHCROFT, SIMON JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind