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)
History
The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Behind where the old Thames does flow
And in every face I meet
Oh reminds me of what I have run from
In every man, in every hand
In every kiss, you understand
That living is for other men
I've gotta tell you my tale
Of how I loved and how I failed
I hope you understand
These feelings should not be in the man
In every child, in every eye
In every sky, above my head
I hope that I know
So come with me to bed
Because it's you and me, we're history
There ain't nothing left to say
When I will get you alone
Maybe we could find a room
Where we could see what we should do
Maybe you know it's true
Living with me's like keeping a fool
In every man, in every hand
In every kiss, you understand
That living is for other men
I hope you know that I am me, so come on
I'm thinking about history
And I'm living for history
And I think you know about me
'Cause I am
And one and one is two
But three is company
When you're thinking about the things you do
And you're thinking about the things you do
I want to tell you my tale
How I fell in love and jumped out on my bail
Do you understand there's more in a smile than in a hand
In every sky, in every kiss
There's one thing that I might have missed
Why am I going to
A place that now belongs to you
But you were weak and so am I
Let's pick it up, let's even try
To live today, so why not smile
Don't dream away your life 'cause it is mine, it is mine
Is that a crime, is that a crime, this life is mine
But the bed ain't made, it's filled full of hope
I've got a skin full of dope
Oh the bed ain't made but it's filled full of hope
I've got a skin full of dope
The Verve’s song “History” has been interpreted in various ways by different people. The lyrics explore the singer’s personal battles, including love, failure, negligence, and loneliness. The singer wanders the lonely streets behind the old Thames River, and every face he meets reminds him of what he is running from. The song is quite introspective, and the theme of isolation presents itself throughout the piece. The stanza that best highlights this theme is “I hope you know that I am me, so come on / I'm thinking about history / And I'm living for history / And I think you know about me / 'Cause I am.” The singer hopes to find solace in the past and his thoughts about the past that he can live for. The use of sensory imagery in the lyrics, particularly the theme of loneliness and isolation, paints a vivid image of the singer’s disturbed state of mind, making the piece riveting and relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
I wander lonely streets
Behind where the old Thames does flow
And in every face I meet
Oh reminds me of what I have run from
I walk through empty streets near the Thames and every person I see reminds me of the reasons why I left my past behind.
In every man, in every hand
In every kiss, you understand
That living is for other men
I hope you two will understand
Every person I meet, every touch, every kiss reminds me that life is meant for other people, not for me. I hope you two can understand my situation.
I've gotta tell you my tale
Of how I loved and how I failed
I hope you understand
These feelings should not be in the man
I need to tell you my story of how I loved and failed. I hope you can understand that these feelings and experiences shouldn't be happening to me.
In every child, in every eye
In every sky, above my head
I hope that I know
So come with me to bed
Every child I see, every person's gaze I meet, every sky I look up at...I hope I know what I'm doing with my life. Come to bed with me and maybe we'll figure things out together.
Because it's you and me, we're history
There ain't nothing left to say
When I will get you alone
You and I have a history together, and there's nothing more to talk about. Let's be alone together and see where things go.
Maybe we could find a room
Where we could see what we should do
Maybe you know it's true
Living with me's like keeping a fool
Let's find a private place where we can figure things out together. Maybe you already know that living with me can be foolish.
I'm thinking about history
And I'm living for history
And I think you know about me
'Cause I am
I'm constantly thinking about the past and how it's made me who I am today. You probably already know a lot about me because of my past.
And one and one is two
But three is company
When you're thinking about the things you do
And you're thinking about the things you do
Two people might make a pair, but three is better company when you're trying to figure things out and make important decisions.
I want to tell you my tale
How I fell in love and jumped out on my bail
Do you understand there's more in a smile than in a hand
I need to tell you about how I fell in love and took off after getting in trouble. Do you understand that a smile can mean more than a physical action?
In every sky, in every kiss
There's one thing that I might have missed
Why am I going to
A place that now belongs to you
No matter what I'm feeling, I might have overlooked something important. Why am I going to a place that now belongs to you? How did things change so much?
But you were weak and so am I
Let's pick it up, let's even try
To live today, so why not smile
Don't dream away your life 'cause it is mine, it is mine
Is that a crime, is that a crime, this life is mine
But the bed ain't made, it's filled full of hope
I've got a skin full of dope
Oh the bed ain't made but it's filled full of hope
I've got a skin full of dope
Both of us have our weaknesses, but we should try to move forward anyway. Let's live in the present and smile, not wasting our lives away. This is my life and it may seem like a crime to some, but it's mine. The bed might not be made, but I'm filled with hope and a sense of rebellion.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NICK MCCABE, PETER SALISBURY, RICHARD ASHCROFT, SIMON JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andersonmorales115
I wander lonely streets
Behind where the old Thames does flow
And in every face I meet
Reminds me of what I have run for
In every man, in every hand
In every kiss, you understand
That living is for other men
I hope you too will understand
I've gotta tell you my tale
Of how I loved and how I failed
I hope you understand
These feelings should not be in the man
In every child, in every eye
In every sky, above my head
I hope that I know
So come with me in bed
Because it's you and me, we're history
There ain't nothing left to say
When I will get you alone
Maybe we could find a room
Where we could see what we should do
Maybe you know it's true
Living with me's like keeping a fool
In every man, in every hand
In every kiss, you understand
That living is for other men
I hope you know that I am me, so come on
I'm thinking about history
And I'm living for history
And I think you know about me
Cause I am
And one and one is two
But three is company
When you're thinking about the things you do
And you're thinking about the things you do
I wanna tell you my tale
How I failed in love and jumped out on my bail
Do you understand?
There's more in a smile than in a hand
In every sky, in every kiss
There's one thing that you might have missed
And why am I going to
A place that now belongs to you
But you were weak, and so am I
Let's make it up, let's even try
To live today, so why not smile
Don't dream away your life
Cause it is mine, it is mine
Is that a crime?
Is that a crime?
This life is mine
But the bed ain't made
It's filled full of hope
I've got a skin full of dope
Oh the bed ain't made
But it's filled full of hope
I've got a skin full of dope
@awakeningnavigator3895
You know a band is genius when its so good it actually hurts to listen to them.
@HitchcockBrunette
Oh this is SO WELL SAID!!! Thats how I feel listening to so many of their songs.. Like, actually physically feel pain and hurt. In the best ways. x
@bwalker7118
Nailed it with that comment 👍🏼
@thelsdaysband
It is true!
@rajumishra8080
yes i FULLY AGREE WITH U....
@michin3710
That's exactly that...GOSH
@swanzzy
This album came out 3 months after I got stabbed 7 times as a 16yr old.. It helped me heal..i was in ptsd hell before it was even a thing that was diagnosed..still soothes.... The verve helped me through a rough time.. if you ever read this thank you.. I’m still living,still listening
@ember-brandt
Holy shit!! I'm glad you pulled through!!!
@swanzzy
@꧁ Jenya March ꧂ hi ..I did thanks.. some tough years.. but I beat all the problems.. I’m fit,healthy,have a beautiful daughter and my own business..43 still going strong,still love the verve 😊
@steve40092
oh mate