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)
This Is Music
The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For being born without a silver spoon
Stood at the top of a hill
Over my town I was found
I've been on the shelf too long
Sitting at home in my bed too long
Got my things and now I'm gone
Finding myself used to be hard
But now I see the light
If love is a drug
Then I don't need it
I've been on the shelf too long
Sitting at home in my bed too long
Now it's time to hear my song
How are you gonna take it?
I've been on the shelf too long
Think the words without the song
Never had a way to go
Tell me now I'll take it
I've been on the shelf too long
I've been on the shelf too long
I've been on the shelf too long
We've got a lot of living to do
There's a door in my mind that's open wide
Come inside, come inside
Jesus never saved me
He'll never save you too, and you know!
I've got a little sticker on the back of my boot
This is music
And now I see the light shining bright in my eyes
If love is the drug then it ain't for me
Well music is my life
And loved by me
I'm gonna move on the floor with my sweet young thing
Down, down, down we go till I reach the bottom
Of our soul with this is music
The Verve's song "This Is Music" is a commentary on class divide and self-discovery. The lyrics "I stand accused just like you, for being born without a silver spoon" highlights the fact that both the singer and the listener are similarly disadvantaged and judged by society. The singer then describes his personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance, realizing that he doesn't need love as a crutch like some may believe. The song then turns into a hymn to music, with the singer pronouncing that music is his life and how it can reach the depths of one's soul. Overall, the song is a message of hope and encouragement to those facing similar struggles, reminding them of the power of music and their own potential.
Line by Line Meaning
I stand accused just like you
I, like you, am blamed for something I have no control over - my birth into a certain circumstance
For being born without a silver spoon
My lack of privilege is not my fault
Stood at the top of a hill
I am in a position of power or influence, observing my town from above
Over my town I was found
I am a prominent or well-known figure in my community
I've been on the shelf too long
I have been stagnant for too long, not actively pursuing my aspirations
Sitting at home in my bed too long
I have been idle for too long, not taking action to achieve my goals
Got my things and now I'm gone
I am taking action to pursue my goals
How's the world gonna from take me?
How will the world perceive or react to me as I pursue my goals?
Finding myself used to be hard
I used to struggle with self-discovery and finding my place in the world
But now I see the light
But now I have clarity and a sense of direction
If love is a drug
Love has a powerful effect on people
Then I don't need it
But I don't need it to feel fulfilled or complete
Now it's time to hear my song
It is time for me to share my voice with the world
How are you gonna take it?
How will others perceive or respond to my message?
Think the words without the song
I have been planning and considering my message without yet sharing it with the world
Never had a way to go
I have felt lost or directionless in the past
Tell me now I'll take it
But now I am ready to receive guidance and direction from others to help me achieve my goals
We've got a lot of living to do
We should fully embrace life and pursue our passions
There's a door in my mind that's open wide
I am open-minded and receptive to new ideas and experiences
Come inside, come inside
I am welcoming and inclusive to others
Jesus never saved me
I don't depend on religion to bring me inner peace or happiness
He'll never save you too, and you know!
Religion won't bring others happiness either, and they know it deep down
I've got a little sticker on the back of my boot
I am expressing my identity and values in unique ways
This is music
Music is a powerful form of self-expression and identity for me
And now I see the light shining bright in my eyes
I have newfound clarity and purpose
If love is the drug then it ain't for me
Love is not the driving force behind my life
Well music is my life
Music is the thing that brings me happiness and fulfillment
And loved by me
I cherish and deeply enjoy music in my life
I'm gonna move on the floor with my sweet young thing
I am excited to dance and enjoy life with someone special
Down, down, down we go till I reach the bottom
I am ready to fully embrace adventures and experiences with this person
Of our soul with this is music
Together, we will explore the depths of ourselves through music.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NICK MCCABE, PETER SALISBURY, RICHARD ASHCROFT, SIMON JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anderson Morales
I stand accused just like you
For being born without a silver spoon
Stood at the top of a hill
Over my town I was found
I've been on the shelf too long
Sitting at home in my bed too long
Got my things and now I'm gone
How's the world gonna from take me?
Finding myself used to be hard
But now I see the light
If love is a drug
Then I don't need it
I've been on the shelf too long
Sitting at home in my bed too long
Now it's time to hear my song
How are you gonna take it?
I've been on the shelf too long
Think the words without the song
Never had a way to go
Tell me now I'll take it
I've been on the shelf too long
I've been on the shelf too long
I've been on the shelf too long
We've got a lot of living to do
There's a door in my mind that's open wide
Come inside, come inside
Jesus never saved me
He'll never save you too, and you know!
I've got a little sticker on the back of my boot
This is music
And now I see the light shining bright in my eyes
If love is the drug then it ain't for me
Well music is my life
And loved by me
I'm gonna move on the floor with my sweet young thing
Down, down, down we go till I reach the bottom
Of our soul with this is music
luis lobo maquetilandia
I stand accused just like you
For being born without a silver spoon
Stood at the top of a hill
Over my town I was found
I've been on the shelf too long
Sitting at home in my bed too long
Got my things and now I'm gone
How's the world gonna from take me?
Finding myself used to be hard
But now I see the light
If love is a drug
Then I don't need it
I've been on the shelf too long
Sitting at home in my bed too long
Now it's time to hear my song
How are you gonna take it?
I've been on the shelf too long
Think the words without the song
Never had a way to go
Tell me now I'll take it
I've been on the shelf too long
I've been on the shelf too long
I've been on the shelf too long
We've got a lot of living to do
There's a door in my mind that's open wide
Come inside, come…
Simona Corleone
"This Is Music"
I stand accused just like you
For being born without a silver spoon
Stood at the top of a hill
Over my town I was found
I've been on the shelf too long
Sitting at home in my bed too long
Got my things and now I'm gone
How's the world gonna from take me?
Finding myself used to be hard
But now I see the light
If love is a drug
Then I don't need it
I've been on the shelf too long
Sitting at home in my bed too long
Now it's time to hear my song
How are you gonna take it?
I've been on the shelf too long
Think the words without the song
Never had a way to go
Tell me now I'm taking it
I've been on the shelf too long
I've been on the shelf too long
I've been on the shelf too long
We've got a lot of living to do
There's a door in my mind that's open wide
Come inside come inside
Jesus never saved me
He'll never save you too, and you know!
I've got a little sticker on the back of my boot
This is music
And now I see the light shining bright in my eyes
If love is the drug then it ain't for me
Well music is my life
And loved by me
I'm gonna move on the floor with my sweet young thing
Down down down we go till we reach the bottom
Of our soul with this is music
Beebsblue
Woke up this morning with this song in my head for some reason. Still sounds amazing more than 25 years later..
Enlightened Normie
All of their songs evoke an emotional flood in the listener's heart.
Truly VERVE is greatly underrated and underestimated.
Huw Guyver
To this day one of my favourite songs (and bands) of all time. First time I heard it felt like being hit by a massive wave. It was just one of those moments. I became completely obsessed, playing it over and over for months. Hearing this song and the album that housed it instantly made a mockery of 90% of the music I had been listening to up to that point. I'm not exaggerating when I say I was never the same after this blinding introduction to The Verve (in the best way). Bittersweet Symphony was what first got my attention, but it was this track that made me a fan.
nevets 4ever
Exactly - a massive wave! This and "They Don't Own Me" - masterpieces.
Darren Lamb
Bittersweet symphony and urban hymns might have been their big commercially successful stuff but their earlier work like this... and even earlier was much better IMO.
Maeve Murphy
Nice way to describe how this is music and this verve sound made you feel. I was blown away by slide away still am to date. Overwhelming feeling that I'm stuck to the seat with the sound but my hands have to move to the smooth powerful sound not interested in looking at a video. Many of the verve songs have enough to accommodate many senses without needing the visual effect. Just listening to all the words being belted at you. Tell you now I'll take it. Luv that Richard talks you through this and slide away. Definitely my tribal music over time lost the rest of my tribe somewhere after the millennium. Won't stop looking as I know you are out there good place to start to try to make contact life shouldn't get in the way of a strong musical bond
Maeve Murphy
Understand your explanation of being hit by a wave Richard tells you sitting in bed too long when this song and slide away have you programmed to belt them on every day reminding you to listen and move organically your memory let's your body know what to do it's been smoothly and powerfully stored in your short term memory like it was yesterday that you heard these songs for the first time massive Impact even though you might have left it on the shelf too long music is the strongest spiritual feeling
Nik Reid
One of the greatest albums ever a northern soul,great track.
Milo Wileman
A brilliant song from my favorite band Simon Jones is an underrated bassist
Shaun Rigby
very underrated, his basslines are amazing and carry the tracks well