Despite the similarity in name to the British band The Verve, there is no relation between the two.
In 1992, working with producer/engineer Jon Frazer, they released their first album, I've Suffered a Head Injury, which featured an acoustic version of the band's calling-card hit, "The Freshmen." The original 10-song version of the CD is no longer available. A 7-song version, without the original recording of "The Freshmen" and two songs written by Stout, was later released as an EP.
The band, known for its energetic live performances, built strong followings during its early years, especially in the college towns of Kalamazoo and East Lansing.
In the fall of 1993, the band released a second album, Pop Smear again working with Frazer that helped them gain a devoted following in their native state of Michigan and their eventual signing with RCA Records in 1995. AJ Dunning replaced Stout on guitar for the recording of Pop Smear and remained in the band for their three RCA records. This album featured the popular tracks "Spoonful of Sugar" and "Victoria" among others. While Doug Corolla played on Pop Smear, he was not a full member of the band until 1994.
Their first major label release was 1996's Villains, which was a minor hit and launched two respectably-selling singles, first Photograph then the #1 hit The Freshmen. They came back with The Verve Pipe in 1999, with such tracks as "Supergig," "Generations" and "She Has Faces." The album, however, failed to contain the commercial appeal of its predecessor.
The band's final release for RCA Records was 2001's Underneath. The song "Colorful," from Underneath, was featured on the soundtrack of Rock Star. Underneath's release unfortunately coincided with the September 11th terroist attacks which contributed to the album's poor sales which led to the band being dropped from RCA.
On September 15, 2009, Brian Vander Ark announced on his Web site that the band would be releasing a new album called A Family Album in October, 2009. The band had been approached to contribute a song for an album called "Calling All Kids" which led to them creating an entire album of family friendly songs.
Lead singer Brian Vander Ark has also released four solo albums: 2003's Resurrection, 2006's Angel, Put Your Face On, 2008's self-titled release Brian Vander Ark and 2011's Magazine.
Since the release of Underneath, the band's line up has changed frequently with former members including Joel Ferguson, Dan Matheny and John Conners. The current line up is as follows:
* Brian Vander Ark – lead vocals, guitars
* Donny Brown – drums, background vocals
* Andy Reed – bass, background vocals
* Randy Sly – keyboards, background vocals
* Lou Musa - guitars, background vocals
* Craig Griffith - harmonica, background vocals
Crash Landing
The Verve Pipe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They don't feel the same without you
Our favourite song that plays on the air
But it doesn't sound the same without you
I'm hearing words noone spoken
And I can feel my heart beat
Though I know it's broken
Like being awake in a dream
And now you're gone and I'm standing
In the middle of the room crash landing
I've got my feet on the ground
But it feels like falling down, down, down
I'm crash landing
How can something be at the end
But feel like it's going on forever
So many things you rush to attend
And when you're there it's just the next whatever
Surrounded by friends but still lonely
Millions of hearts aching but mine's the only one
That can't come back from this
It's a slap when you expect a kiss
And now you're gone and I'm standing
Right in the middle of the room crash landing
I've got my feet on the floor
But it feels like falling down, down, down
Since you haven't been around, round, round
I'm crash landing
And the stars they've been bright under this bright night
And the...
Nothing is the way it seems
Like living awake in a dream
And now you're gone and I'm standing
Right in the middle of the room crash landing
I've got my feet on the floor
But it feels like falling down, down, down, down, down
Since you haven't been around
And now you're gone and I'm standing
Right in the middle of the room crash landing
I've got my feet on the floor
But it feels like falling down, down, down
Since you haven't been around, round, round
The Verve Pipe's song Crash Landing is a powerful ballad about lost love and the struggle to move on. The lyrics describe the pain of losing someone who was once an integral part of your life and the feelings of loneliness and emptiness that follow. The first verse sets the scene by discussing the physical and emotional changes that occur when someone you love is no longer with you. The second verse delves deeper into the emotional turmoil, highlighting the paradox of why something that has ended feels like it's still ongoing. The bridge serves as a reminder that even in the midst of millions of people, the pain of loss can feel all-encompassing.
The chorus, "And now you're gone and I'm standing in the middle of the room crash landing, I've got my feet on the ground but it feels like falling down, down, down, I'm crash landing," is a poignant and powerful expression of the pain of loss. The imagery of crash landing is used to convey the feeling of being thrown into the unknown with little control over the situation. The song is a reminder that even when we think we have our feet on the ground, life can be unpredictable and throw us for a loop.
Overall, Crash Landing is a beautifully written song that perfectly captures the overwhelming pain of losing someone you love. The lyrics are descriptive and vivid, painting a picture of the emotional turmoil that comes with loss.
Line by Line Meaning
All of the places we once shared
The places we used to go to together no longer bring me the same joy.
They don't feel the same without you
The absence of you in these places has made them feel empty and incomplete.
Our favourite song that plays on the air
The song we both loved is playing on the radio.
But it doesn't sound the same without you
Hearing the song reminds me of you, but it doesn't sound as beautiful without you by my side.
I'm hearing words noone spoken
I'm hearing things that are not being said out loud.
And I can feel my heart beat
I can sense my heart pumping and beating rapidly.
Though I know it's broken
Even though I know my heart is shattered, I can still feel it pumping with pain.
Nothing is the way it seems
Everything appears different and strange.
Like being awake in a dream
The feeling of being awake while experiencing something surreal, like a dream.
And now you're gone and I'm standing
Now that you're gone, I am left standing here.
In the middle of the room crash landing
I feel like I've crashed and burned, like I've landed in the center of a disaster.
I've got my feet on the ground
I am trying to stay grounded and not lose my balance.
But it feels like falling down, down, down
Despite my efforts to stay strong, I feel like I am spiraling downward.
How can something be at the end
It is hard to comprehend how something can come to an end.
But feel like it's going on forever
Even though it's over, it feels like it will never truly end.
So many things you rush to attend
There are so many things to do and places to go to, yet none of them feels important now that you're gone.
And when you're there it's just the next whatever
No matter what I do or where I go, it all feels pointless without you by my side.
Surrounded by friends but still lonely
Despite having friends around me, I feel lonely without you.
Millions of hearts aching but mine's the only one
So many people are in pain, but it feels like I am the only one who can't shake it off.
That can't come back from this
I feel like I am unable to recover from the pain of losing you.
It's a slap when you expect a kiss
Sometimes life can be cruel and give us the opposite of what we hope for.
And the stars they've been bright under this bright night
The stars in the sky have been shining so brightly on this clear night.
Nothing is the way it seems
Things are not as they appear to be.
Like living awake in a dream
It feels like I am living in a surreal dream that I can't wake up from.
Since you haven't been around
Ever since you left, everything has felt different.
Contributed by Levi A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
skiman68
All of the places we once shared
They don't feel the same without you
A favorite song that plays on the air
But it doesn't sound the same without you
I'm hearing words no one's spoken
And I can feel my heart beat
Though I know it's broken
Nothing is the way it seems
Like being awake in a dream
And now you're gone and I'm standing
In the middle of the room crash landing
I've got my feet on the floor
But it feels like falling down down down
I'm crash landing
How can something be at the end
But feel like it's going on forever
So many things you rush to attend
And when you're there it's just the next whatever
Surrounded by friends but still lonely
Millions of hearts aching but mine's the only
One that can come back from this
It's a slap when you expect a kiss
And now you're gone and I'm standing
Right in the middle of the room crash landing
I've got my feet on the floor
But it feels like falling down down down
Since you haven't been around round round
I'm crash landing
And the stars that burn bright
Are not as bright now
And the wrongs that need right
Aren't worth the fight now
Nothing is the way it seems
Like living awake in a dream
And now you're gone and I'm standing
Right in the middle of the room crash landing
I've got my feet on the floor
But it feels like falling down down down down down down
And now you're gone and I'm standing
Right in the middle of the room crash landing
I've got my feet on the floor
But it feels like falling down down down
Since you haven't been around round round
C G
Holy Cats! I love you guys, glad to see a new song. Thanks for sharing your gifts with the world Brian, You've been missed ;)
Tony Pruitt
Great job guys. We love all you've been doing, especially the kids stuff. Looking forward to hearing this on the radio soon and seeing VP show again.
Jon Theisen
Awesome !! About time. Amazing talent
realgenius76
Love it!
Gaelle C. Gilles
If only music like this was still popular...
Laurie Fontana
Such a great tune! xo
jdmusic07
Cool tune. Gentle and encouraging vibe. I hear a little James Taylor as well as Peter Gabrielle. Good stuff.
Anthony thomas
I just had a feeling they would be back about now. I have been waiting for this for , what almost 20 years?
floyd rains
Like.
Breakfast at Midnight
great band , great artwork , glad i just found them out ;)