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)
Life's Not A Rehearsal
The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say that I
Something more than I have
Crying out for something else
And if someone hears the scream
Put it in a letter to me
Slippery slidey road down
Slippery slidey road down
Life's an ocean
Too much commotion
Not enough emotion to satisfy me
Slippery slidey road down
It's a slippery slidey road down
Hold my hand and we'll walk down
Dry those eyes and we'll walk down
Slippery slidey road down
Slippery slidey road down
Too much commotion
Too much emotion
Too much commotion
Too much emotion
Too much commotion
Too much emotion
The Verve's "Life's Not a Rehearsal" is a deep, emotive song that delves into themes of longing, dissatisfaction, and the never-ending quest for fulfillment. The lyrics suggest that the singer feels unfulfilled in their current state, and longs for something more, something that they haven't yet discovered. The first verse, "Back in some feelings, Say that I, Something more than I have, Crying out for something else, And if someone hears the scream, Put it in a letter to me," expresses this yearning for something more, for someone to understand them and communicate their desires to them.
The chorus, "Life's an ocean, Too much commotion, Not enough emotion to satisfy me," further underscores the singer's dissatisfaction with their life, suggesting that they are adrift and overwhelmed by the constant turmoil and change around them. The lines "Slippery slidey road down" reinforce this idea of losing control and careening towards an uncertain future.
The final verse, "Hold my hand and we'll walk down, Dry those eyes and we'll walk down, Slippery slidey road down, Slippery slidey road down," provides a glimmer of hope, implying that the singer has found someone to help guide them through this tumultuous journey, even though it's not guaranteed to be easy. The repetition of "Too much commotion, Too much emotion" in the chorus amplifies the intensity of the emotions being experienced and suggests that the singer feels overwhelmed and is struggling to cope.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in some feelings
I am experiencing emotions that I have felt before
Say that I
I am admitting to my feelings
Something more than I have
I want something greater than what I currently have
Crying out for something else
I am desperately searching for something different
And if someone hears the scream
If anyone hears my cry for help
Put it in a letter to me
Please write it down and send it to me
Slippery slidey road down
I am descending down a treacherous path
Life's an ocean
Life is unpredictable and constantly changing
Too much commotion
There is too much chaos and confusion in my life
Not enough emotion to satisfy me
I am searching for deeper meaning and fulfillment in life
Hold my hand and we'll walk down
Please accompany me on this difficult journey
Dry those eyes and we'll walk down
Please comfort me and help me overcome my sadness
Slippery slidey road down
I am still descending down a treacherous path
Too much commotion
There is still too much chaos and confusion in my life
Too much emotion
I am overwhelmed with feelings
Too much commotion
There is still too much chaos and confusion in my life
Too much emotion
My feelings are getting the best of me
Too much commotion
The chaos and confusion in my life continues
Too much emotion
My emotions are still overwhelming me
Contributed by Benjamin I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@briancoburn6903
The Verve always had great B sides. Used to buy every single they released, just to hear them.
MSG is another personal favourite.
@Ross8908
McCabe's dreamy nostalgic sound which just creates everything that VERVE stand for, oozes class...
@a-aron14
Can't mess with McCabe. So tight. Love that these hidden gems are getting a second life on Youtube if people want to discover.
@tonysproule3408
Somebody needs to fill in the masses about this!
@tonysproule3408
Another Gem, Lifes an ocean...
@lena-Ramone
Sounds like lifes an ocean ❤
@paolo-n2000
it should....
@matthewjdouglas6471
That bass just soothes
@RickStar00O
The Magic Of McCabe . Sonic Sounds ..
@thomasjcox
love the guitar. the verve from 1995-1999 were their best years