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)
On Your Own
The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was it a dream?
Was I in it?
Life seems so obscene
Until it's over
Who knows?
All I want is someone who can fill the hole
In between life and death
When there's nothing left
Do you wanna know?
You come in on your own
And you leave on your own
Forget the lovers you've know
And your friends on your own
Tell me if it's true
That I need you
You are changing
I've seen this road before down on this floor
It is hurting me
All I want is someone
Who can fill the hole
In the life I know
In between life and death
When there's nothing left
Do you want to know?
You come in on your own
And you leave on your own
Forget the lovers you've know
And your friends on your own
You come in on your own
And you leave on your own
Forget the lovers you've know
And your friends who have told
Lies
I've got to get rid of this hole inside
Lies
I've got to get rid of this hole inside
I'm coming in on my own
I'm coming in on my own
I'm coming in on my own
Lies
I've got to get rid of this hole inside
Lies
I've got to get rid of this hole inside
Lies
I've got to get rid of this hole inside
Lies
I've got to get rid of this hole inside
Lies
I've got to get rid of this hole inside
The Verve's song On Your Own is a deeply introspective and melancholic track that explores the themes of loneliness and the search for meaning in life. The lyrics suggest a certain disillusionment with life and a sense of disconnect from others. The opening lines, "Tell me what you've seen/Was it a dream?/Was I in it?" evoke a sense of doubt and confusion, questioning the reality of one's experiences and the role they play in one's life.
The singer then reflects on the emptiness of life and the desire for someone to "fill the hole" that exists between life and death. The repetition of the phrase "Do you wanna know?" suggests a yearning for connection and understanding, but also a reluctance to reveal one's true emotions and vulnerabilities to others. The chorus suggests a sense of resignation, as the singer acknowledges that we all come into and leave the world alone, and that we must forget the past and face the present on our own.
The second verse continues in a similar vein, with the singer questioning whether they need someone else to fill the void in their life, but also recognizing the pain that can come with such a connection. The repetition of the phrase "Lies/I've got to get rid of this hole inside" suggests a need to confront and overcome the lies and illusions that we tell ourselves in order to find true happiness and fulfillment.
Overall, On Your Own is a powerful and haunting meditation on the human condition, exploring the complexities of human emotions and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me what you've seen
What experiences have you had?
Was it a dream?
Were those experiences real or just a figment of imagination?
Was I in it?
Did my presence play a part in those experiences?
Life seems so obscene
Existence can seem vulgar sometimes.
Until it's over
This feeling persists until life ends.
Who knows?
Uncertainty prevails about the mysteries of life.
All I want is someone who can fill the hole
Desire for someone who can fill a void in their life.
In the life I know
In the world they are familiar with.
In between life and death
In the liminal space between existence and non-existence.
When there's nothing left
When everything else has failed.
Do you wanna know?
Are you interested in learning about this?
You come in on your own
You enter this world alone.
And you leave on your own
You leave this world alone.
Forget the lovers you've known
Don't get attached to romantic partners.
And your friends on your own
Friends also depart when their time comes.
Tell me if it's true
Confirm if this is accurate.
That I need you
My desire for your companionship is genuine.
You are changing
You are transforming in ways that affect our relationship.
I've seen this road before down on this floor
I've been in a similar situation before where I felt helpless.
It is hurting me
This situation is causing me pain.
And your friends who have told lies
Don't trust friends who have deceived you.
I've got to get rid of this hole inside
I need to fill this emptiness within me.
I'm coming in on my own
I'm entering this world by myself.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RAYMON AMEER MURRAY, RICO R. WADE, PATRICK LEROY BROWN, MARQUEZE M. ETHRIDGE, MARVIN PARKMAN, WILLIAM JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind