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)
The Drugs Don't Work
The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I'm comin' down
And I hope you're thinking of me
As you lay down on your side
Now the drugs don't work
But I know I'll see your face again
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
But I know I'm on a losing streak
'Cause I passed down my old street
And if you wanna show, then just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
'Cause baby, ooo, if heaven falls, I'm coming, too
Just like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead
All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I'm comin' down
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
'Cause baby, ooo, if heaven falls, I'm coming, too
Just like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead
But if you wanna show, just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
I'm never going down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never going down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never going down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
The Verve's song "The Drugs Don't Work" expresses a mood of melancholy and resignation. The song seems to be about coping with the imminent death of a loved one, as well as struggling with personal issues such as addiction. The first stanza of the song sets the tone, describing the feeling of being overwhelmed and helpless, like a "cat in a bag" waiting to drown. The singer acknowledges the harmful effects of drugs and the realization that they do not work, but the hope of seeing the loved one's face again gives him the strength to go on.
The second stanza of the song reflects on the singer's past experiences and regrets, particularly in relation to his old neighborhood. He expresses a willingness to perform for the loved one and is hopeful of seeing them again. The chorus reinforces the futility of drugs in providing a cure for the singer's problems, but the prospect of seeing the loved one's face again is a powerful motivator.
Overall, "The Drugs Don't Work" is a poignant reflection on love, loss, addiction, and the inevitability of death.
Line by Line Meaning
All this talk of getting old
The constant reminder that we are aging and our time is running out is depressing me.
It's getting me down my love
This is lowering my mood and affecting how I feel about you.
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
I feel trapped and helpless, as if I'm about to die, but in a slow and painful way like drowning.
This time I'm comin' down
I am finally coming to grips with the reality of my situation, and it's hitting me hard.
And I hope you're thinking of me
I wish you would remember me, even if it's just for a moment.
As you lay down on your side
This could be a reference to the end of a relationship, when two people no longer lay beside each other in bed.
Now the drugs don't work
I have lost faith in the power of medication to cure my emotional pain.
They just make you worse
Taking drugs has only exacerbated my problems instead of easing them.
But I know I'll see your face again
Even though I am feeling down, I have hope that I will be reunited with you again someday.
But I know I'm on a losing streak
I am experiencing a series of setbacks and should expect more disappointment in the future.
'Cause I passed down my old street
I have revisited places that had significance in our relationship, which has brought back memories and emotions.
And if you wanna show, then just let me know
If you would like to meet up and talk to me, please reach out to me.
And I'll sing in your ear again
I will use my music as a way to connect with you and express how I feel.
'Cause baby, ooo, if heaven falls, I'm coming, too
No matter what happens, I will always be there for you, even in the worst of circumstances.
Just like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead
If you were to leave me, I would be so distraught that I might as well be dead.
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
This line adds emphasis and reinforces the idea that there is hope for a reunion in the future.
I'm never going down, I'm never coming down
I will try my best to stay positive and not let my emotions drag me down.
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
This repetition represents a determination to move forward and not look back.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICHARD ASHCROFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Pride317
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down, my love
Like a cat in a bag
Waiting to drown
This time I'm coming down
[Verse 2]
And I hope you're thinking of me
As you lay down on your side
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
[Chorus]
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
[Verse 3]
But I know I'm on a losing streak
Cause I passed down my old street
And if you want a show
Then just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again
[Chorus]
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
[Bridge]
Cause, Baby, ooh, if heaven calls
I'm coming too
Just like you said
You leave my life
I'm better off dead
[Verse 1]
All this talk of getting old
It's getting me down my love
Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown
This time I'm coming down
[Chorus]
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
[Bridge]
Cause baby, ooh, if heaven calls
I'm coming too
Just like you said
You leave my life
I'm better off dead
But if you want a show
Then just let me know
And I'll sing in your ear again
[Chorus]
Now the drugs don't work
They just make you worse
But I know I'll see your face again
[Outro]
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again, oh Lord
Yeah, I know I'll see your face again, oh Lord
I'm never coming down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
I'm never coming down, I'm never coming down
No more, no more, no more, no more, no more
@TheSuzanne92
My dad died an alcoholic/drug user when I was 16 when I close my eyes I hear his voice singing this song. My dad wasn't perfect but he was my dad. ❤️
@1966vader
So sorry for your loss, :'(
@lisamcneill7459
❤️
@sanlorenzo7003
If my wee boys say the same thing I'll have died happy 💖🖤💖
@davidcann2550
Sorry to hear that so sad
@ryanleone5805
So sorry for your loss. You’ll see him again, someday. Promise. ❤️
@patrickgallagher6285
My son is a single father he's only26 but has brain cancer,,this song tears me up,,,please say a prayer for Kyle
@millyjay-7271
Kyle is in my 🙏....😮
@Tityretupatulae
Of course 🙏🏻 🍀
@susanhoward47
I will pray for him x