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)
Dance On Your Bones
The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking for some young bones
to do his work
Maybe you could steal and try
Sticking needles in your arm in the park
Hey kids where's the gun?
Where's the old fun?
Who's going to have this fun?
Devil blows his wind down my road
Looking for some fragile minds
Maybe I could still get loose
Maybe we could dance to get loose
Hey kids where's your guns?
Don't you have no fun?
He said, "Hey kid, pick up the gun
Don't you like this one?"
He said, "Hey kid, pick up the gun
Don't you want a little fun?"
Devil blows cold down my road
Looking for some young bones for his work
You don't work, you can't eat
Devil's gonna dance on your bones, on your bones
Hey kids, where's your guns?
Don't you like this one?
Devil blows cold down my road
You don't work, you can't eat
Hey kids buy some more
Hey kids buy some guns
The Devil blows
The Devil blows
The Verve’s song “Dance on Your Bones” delves into the dark and enticing world of addiction, with the devil personified as the temptation for those struggling with drug abuse. The song speaks of the devil coming out at night and looking for “young bones” to carry out his work, which can be interpreted as the devil seeking out vulnerable individuals who can be easily influenced and tempted. The first verse mentions the use of needles, indicating heroin or other intravenous drug use.
The chorus repeats the question “Hey kids where’s your gun?” which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the lack of control that drug addicts feel in their lives. The repetition of the question implies a sense of urgency and danger, with the devil tempting and pressuring individuals to give in to their addiction. The devil is described as blowing his wind down the road, looking for “fragile minds” to manipulate and control. The song ends with a warning that if they don’t work, the devil will dance on their bones.
“Dance on Your Bones” is a powerful song that reflects on the darker side of addiction and the powerlessness felt by those who struggle with it. It serves as a warning to those who may be tempted to try drugs, and a reminder that addiction can be a powerful and destructive force.
Line by Line Meaning
Devil comes out at night
The darkness of the night is when evil tends to emerge.
Looking for some young bones
Evil preys on the weak, vulnerable and impressionable people.
to do his work
To manipulate people into doing bad things or to cause trouble.
Maybe you could steal and try
The Devil creates temptation, luring people to commit acts of crime or indulge in addiction.
Sticking needles in your arm in the park
Drug abuse is one of the self-destructive activities that the Devil promotes.
Hey kids where's the gun?
The Devil instigates violence by encouraging the use of weapons.
Where's the old fun?
The Devil corrupts traditional values and introduces harmful and immoral behavior instead.
Who's going to have this fun?
The Devil asks who is ready to participate in sin and wickedness.
Devil blows his wind down my road
The Devil's influence is felt all around, tempting people to give in to their desires.
Looking for some fragile minds
The Devil preys on the weak-minded and vulnerable, seeking to corrupt their morals or push them towards self-harm.
Maybe I could still get loose
Despite being aware of the danger the Devil poses, some people are still drawn towards it.
Maybe we could dance to get loose
Some may turn to drugs or wild behavior to escape their problems, but these decisions often have negative consequences.
Don't you have no fun?
The Devil emphasizes that people who do not partake in sinful activities are missing out on 'excitement'.
He said, 'Hey kid, pick up the gun
The Devil tempts people to choose violence and aggression as solutions to their problems.
Don't you like this one?'
The Devil encourages people to form unhealthy relationships with weapons, rather than using them for practical purposes.
You don't work, you can't eat
The Devil's agenda is to promote laziness and unproductive behavior, rather than nurturing an industrious and hardworking lifestyle.
Devil's gonna dance on your bones, on your bones
Those who are tempted by the Devil will face punishment, and their bones will be left behind to be danced upon as a symbol of their downfall.
Hey kids buy some more
The Devil ensures there is always a supply of weapons or drugs on-hand to keep temptation constant.
Hey kids buy some guns
The Devil romanticizes weapons and encourages people to buy them without considering the consequences of their actions or consequences it may cause.
The Devil blows
The influences of evil will continue to tempt and manipulate people, as part of its mission to harm morality and well-being.
The Devil blows
The song ends on a chilling note, reminding us of how the influence of evil can linger and threaten our peace.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Nick McCabe, Peter Salisbury, Richard Paul Ashcroft, Simon Robin David Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind