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)
Stamped
The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So, I'm living a bad dream
So, I'm living a bad scene
So, I'm living a bad dream
So, I'm having a bad dream
Oh, Oh, oh, oh ...
In a bad dream
Help, help, help, help, help
And I'm out
The skies are in me
Oh, it takes me back
Then it all comes back
And it all comes back
Go on, go on, go on
Yeah
The Verve's song Stamped is a haunting and powerful track that speaks of living in a bad dream or nightmare. The repetitive use of the phrase "So, I'm living a bad dream" emphasizes the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape the negative experiences. The use of the phrase "help" further enhances this feeling of desperation and hopelessness. The line "the skies are in me" suggests a feeling of being overwhelmed by the outside world, as though the environment itself is part of the nightmare.
The chorus of the song, with its repeated use of the phrase "oh, oh, oh, oh" adds to this sense of uncertainty and confusion. The use of the phrase "go on, go on, go on" suggests a feeling of resignation or defeat, as though the singer is accepting that they will be trapped in this bad dream forever. Overall, Stamped is a powerful and emotionally charged song that speaks to the experience of feeling trapped in a negative and overwhelming environment.
Line by Line Meaning
So, I'm living a bad dream
Expressing the feelings of being stuck in an unpleasant and surreal situation.
I can feel it
Awareness of the pain and confusion caused by the bad dream.
Help, help, help, help, help
Desperate plea for assistance to get out of the bad dream.
And I'm out
Relief of waking up from the bad dream and being free from it.
The skies are in me
The emotional impact of the bad dream is still present and weighs heavily on the artist.
Oh, it takes me back
Reminiscing about the bad dream and how it affects the singer's mood.
Then it all comes back
The memories and emotions of the bad dream resurface unexpectedly.
Go on, go on, go on
Encouragement for the artist to continue facing the challenges and moving forward despite the bad dream.
Contributed by Audrey I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
andy bleasdale
this band once your hooked thats it.forever grateful,the music,the gigs.amazing times
Enlightened Normie
Mark Carnevale
That's awesome to hear!!! 👍👍👍
Mark Carnevale
Been hooked for 25 years
Diego Stone
Esta cancion es muy buena , ajaj empese a escucharla cuando empese a ir al gym , pero me causaba mas fatiga que energia jaja , pero the verve fue , es y sera la mejor banda que jamaz halla podido conocer
ZorbaTheDutch
How is it possible that this is not a greatest hit?! Strongly recommend turning the volume up for this one!
Sally Wyndham-Grane
you can always tell when its the full band experience ....next level..!!
To be fair i still enjoy sir Ashcrofts outings but i much prefer The Verve machine songs like Stormy Clouds et al ... Like i say next level..!!!
Miloš Kovačević
Absolutely divine..
universenikki
Mind blowing...
Cullie
Amazing drum work by Pete on this B-Side
Thomas Cox
can't believe i found this, hardest to find especially on youtube. its buried in the deep confines in verve videos