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
Miles Away
The Verve Pipe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Today was a great day
I said but I meant
Today was the worst day I've ever spent
I'm trying to be what you want me to be
So you'll settle down
Stop driving me into the ground
I would leave you but to leave you wouldn't matter
So beneath you, underneath you I am right here
Miles away
Today was a strange day
I meant what I said
Today was the first day that I looked ahead
And if I could be what you want me to be
Would you let me down
Stop driving me into the ground
Well it might be how you fight me till I'm shattered
I would leave you but to leave you wouldn't matter
So beneath you, underneath you, I am right here
Miles away
Can I have your attention, have your respect
We all need redemption, some more or less
Now you fight me satellite me till I'm shattered
I would leave you but to leave you wouldn't matter
So beneath you, underneath you I am right here
Miles away
Or it may be how you play me till I'm shattered
I defend it and pretend it doesn't matter
If you need me then believe me i'll be right here
Miles away
The Verve Pipe's song "Miles Away" is a contemplative and introspective piece on the struggle within relationships. The lyrics depict a protagonist who is trying to align themselves with the wishes of their partner, but in doing so, they feel unappreciated and pushed down. The song begins with the line "Today was a great day, I said but I meant today was the worst day I've ever spent," which immediately sets a tone of emotional confusion and ambiguity. The singer accepts that they might be at fault here but at the same time, they feel their partner could be doing more. The lyrics are a cry for attention and respect, suggesting that all individuals need redemption to some extent.
The lyrics use metaphors to communicate the emotional turmoil in the relationship. "Well, it might be how you fight me till I'm shattered" suggests a sense of exhaustion and pleading. The singer feels their partner is hitting them with all they have, and they can't take it anymore. "Can I have your attention, have your respect," is a line that reveals the singer's desperation in the relationship. They are asking to be heard and acknowledged for who they are. The final lines of the song "If you need me, then believe me, I'll be right here, miles away." suggests that despite the pain, the singer is willing to stay, but it's going to take a lot of work.
Line by Line Meaning
Today was a great day
I had to put on a façade and pretend that everything was fine today
I said but I meant
In reality, today was terrible and the worst day I've ever had
I'm trying to be what you want me to be
I'm putting in a lot of effort to meet your expectations
So you'll settle down
Hoping that in doing so, you'll stop being so demanding and exhausting
Stop driving me into the ground
Please stop putting so much pressure on me, it's becoming unbearable
Well it might be how you fight me till I'm shattered
You're constantly fighting with me, wearing me down until I'm broken and unable to keep going
I would leave you but to leave you wouldn't matter
While I want to leave this dysfunctional relationship, I know it wouldn't make a difference to you
So beneath you, underneath you I am right here
I feel like I'm below you in this relationship and constantly trying to catch up, and yet I'm still here putting in effort
Miles away
Despite physically being present, emotionally and mentally, I am distant from you
Today was a strange day
I had a realization that something needs to change
I meant what I said
I'm being honest and open about my true feelings today
Today was the first day that I looked ahead
I'm starting to see a future where things can improve, and I'm willing to work towards that
And if I could be what you want me to be
If I'm able to meet your expectations and requirements, would you finally be happy?
Would you let me down
I'm afraid to disappoint you or let you down if I can't meet your expectations
Can I have your attention, have your respect
I'm asking for basic things that should be present in any healthy relationship
We all need redemption, some more or less
We're all human and make mistakes, but everyone deserves a chance to make things right
Now you fight me satellite me till I'm shattered
You're still causing me pain and weariness by being so demanding and critical
If you need me then believe me i'll be right here
Despite all the difficulties in this relationship, I'll still be here for you if you need me
Or it may be how you play me till I'm shattered
Perhaps you're manipulating me and using me until I'm completely broken down
I defend it and pretend it doesn't matter
I'm trying to brush it all off and deny the impact it's having on me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DONNY BROWN, DOUG CORELLA, A.J. DUNNING, BRIAN VANDER ARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind