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)
Judas
The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only feelings
Just let 'em, let 'em go
Feelings
Only feelings
Just worthless, so I let 'em go
New York, I was Judas
She said 'A latte, double shot for Judas'
Cry for the things that happen, people need to know
And for a dream to happen
You gotta let it go, gotta let it go
Gotta let it go, gotta let it go aha
Gotta let it go
You let it go
You let it go
But there must be
Some answer
I keep seeking, cause I gotta know
We are numbered, and we are labeled
Do we ever, break our home
I knew it, before you said it
There's no need for, need to wait
Need to wait
You let it go
I'm running
In the sky
Slipping round
Hold me up high
I I I, high high high
High, high, high
Woohoo
Still holding on, you know the dreams have just begun
The dream's just begun
The dream's just begun
I know you're still holding on
Because the dream has just begun
The Verve's "Judas" is a song that employs the biblical story of Judas Iscariot as a metaphor for betrayal. The song begins with Richard Ashcroft singing about emotions, and how they are something he has to let go of. The line "Only feelings, just worthless, so I let them go" can imply Ashcroft's cynicism or his detachment from his emotions. The metaphor of Judas reappears in the next verse when Ashcroft says, "New York, I was Judas. She said 'A latte, double shot for Judas.'" This line shifts the metaphor to the concept of betrayal, with the idea that Ashcroft was being treated like a traitor for doing something perceived as wrong.
The lyrics also describe the frustration of searching for answers in a life that seems to be preordained. Ashcroft sings, "We are numbered and we are labeled. Do we ever break our home?" This continuous questioning points to the human desire to challenge the destiny they are given.
"Judas" has been interpreted as a commentary on the music industry and its obsession with success. The song's title references Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus for money. Ashcroft, it is suggested, may be equating his own musical ambitions and potential for success with Judas's own greed, ultimately betraying himself by selling out.
Line by Line Meaning
Feelings
Emotions
Only feelings
Only emotions
Just let 'em, let 'em go
Simply release them
Feelings
Emotions
Only feelings
Only emotions
Just worthless, so I let 'em go
Completely valueless, hence I discard them
New York, I was Judas
I was betrayer in New York
She said 'A latte, double shot for Judas'
She ordered a latte with double shot for me, the betrayer
Cry for the things that happen, people need to know
Mourn for incidents that occur because it's important for people to be aware of them
And for a dream to happen
To make a dream come true
You gotta let it go, gotta let it go
It's necessary to relinquish control, necessary to relinquish control
Gotta let it go, gotta let it go aha
Essential to let it go, essential to let it go
Gotta let it go
Mandatory to release it
You let it go
You released it
But there must be
However surely there exists
Some answer
A solution
I keep seeking, cause I gotta know
I continue searching because I must find out
We are numbered, and we are labeled
We are counted, and we are named
Do we ever, break our home
Do we ever, ruin our sanctuary
I knew it, before you said it
I was aware of it, prior to it being verbally expressed
There's no need for, need to wait
There is no requirement for delay
Need to wait
Necessity to pause
You let it go
You released it
I'm running
I am racing
In the sky
Up above
Slipping round
Gently circling
Hold me up high
Elevate me
I I I, high high high
Myself, elevated, elevated
High, high, high
Elevated, elevated, elevated
Woohoo
Joyful exclamation
Still holding on, you know the dreams have just begun
Still persevering, awareness that the dream has only just commenced
The dream's just begun
The dream has only just commenced
I know you're still holding on
I am aware that you are still persevering
Because the dream has just begun
Due to the fact that the dream has only just commenced
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NICK MCCABE, PETER SALISBURY, RICHARD ASHCROFT, SIMON JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juanserpabeleno5327
Feelings
Only feelings
Just let 'em, let 'em go
Feelings
Only feelings
Just worthless, so I let 'em go
New York, I was Judas
She said 'A latte, double shot for Judas'
Cry for the things that happen, people need to know
And for a dream to happen
You gotta let it go, gotta let it go
Gotta let it go, gotta let it go aha
Gotta let it go
You let it go
You let it go
But there must be
Some answer
I keep seeking, cause I gotta know
We are numbered, and we are labeled
Do we ever, break our home
I knew it, before you said it
There's no need for, need to wait
Need to wait
You let it go
I'm running
In the sky
Slipping round
Hold me up high
I I I, high high high
High, high, high
Woohoo
Still holding on, you know the dreams have just begun
The dream's just begun
The dream's just begun
I know you're still holding on
Because the dream has just begun
@Darkness_Before_Dawn
Feelings
Only feelings
Just let 'em, let 'em go
Feelings
Only feelings
Just worthless, so I let 'em go
New York, I was Judas
She said 'A latte, double shot for Judas'
Cry for the things that happen, people need to know
And for a dream to happen
You gotta let it go, gotta let it go
Gotta let it go, gotta let it go aha
Gotta let it go
You let it go
You let it go
But there must be
Some answer
I keep seeking, cause I gotta know
We are numbered, and we are labeled
Do we ever, break our home
I knew it, before you said it
There's no need for, need to wait
Need to wait
You let it go
I'm running
In the sky
Slipping round
Hold me up high
I I I, high high high
High, high, high
Woohoo
Still holding on, you know the dreams have just begun
The dream's just begun
The dream's just begun
I know you're still holding on
Because the dream has just begun🎵
@WhiteWolf--
This just the perfect encapsulation of what these guys are capable of with studio jams...you can tell this is one of them...the beat, Simon laying down this mellow off beat which gives Nick all the space he needs, and Richard improvising lyrics on the spot. This to me is such a stellar example of Ashcroft and McCabe collaborating and making magic, listen to how his ambient guitar lines compliment Richards melody. Pure magic, and without a doubt one of the most gifted bands ever; a shame they can't get along.
@duckindave
Surely I'm not the only person hoping with every fibre of my being that they get together again. I need to experience this live. This is just pure, beautiful and majestic. Richard, you are right. This IS music brother.
@priyanka13
I know it sounds silly, but I wish I could hear this on the radio just once, that would really make my day :)
@ledouche3000
Not so silly. The first time I heard this one actually was on the radio, back in 2008. It was long after midnight, I couldn't sleep and it came on. It was just beautiful. I had been listening to Richard Ashcroft's music a lot in those teenager years and hearing that song that night I found out The Verve had put out a new album. I cannot remember many other first times I heard a song. The only other one I can bring to mind right now is The Birds by Telefon Tel Aviv, while being half asleep in between time zones on a plane to Brazil...
@johnfraser3913
radio knows not what it does.
@peterhart7121
I know what you mean,,
@whatif4502
i wish i could too
@user-jy1km5no2i
listen to BBC 6 Music more
@gabrielrosalesmontes
Simon Jones's bass in this song is a masterpice... Its the entire song....this is Simon Jones's song.... just listen that ending.... Magical!
@agustinkl4641
Amzing Bassline