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
Photograph
The Verve Pipe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
have me in a picture
and if you want make me dance,
throw me round spin upon your
finger
blind labors the blind and i am
unwilling to uncover my eyes
and if you want take your time rifle
through, find a very nice one
if there's a crease in my face over
time, there's plenty more where
that came from
words, frozen, will thaw when i am
wasted, i am better shut up
and a frame is quite confining,
hang me up...hang me up
i'm in the photograph
when i'm alone and the world is a
fist, i am weightless
a universe, gravitate, orchestrate,
i am fearless
and spin, the sky surrounding free
from all the picture perfect
and spin the sky surrounding,
larger than life, meanwhile
The Verve Pipe's song, Photograph, is a beautiful yet dark track that tackles issues of internal struggle and self-perception. The song begins by addressing the world outside and the expectations imposed by it. The lyrics suggest that the singer is only considered beautiful when he is pitiful, as if being subject to society's standards of beauty and normalcy is a prerequisite. The chorus then highlights the singer's willingness to submit himself to this external scrutiny, pleading to be thrown around and shown off like an object in a picture. This fixation with image and appearance exacerbates the sense of self-doubt that the character seems to be wrestling with, as he speaks of being unwilling to open his eyes and look at himself.
In the second verse, the story takes a somewhat self-deprecating turn as the singer encourages the world outside to continue judging him, suggesting that any flaws they may find are merely temporary and ultimately trivial. The line "words, frozen, will thaw when I am wasted" is particularly striking, as it suggests that the singer's true voice can only be heard when he is inebriated or otherwise vulnerable. The chorus is repeated, this time with an emphasis on the singer's entrapment and confinement. In what seems to be the final verse, the story shifts again, this time emphasizing the singer's inner world and his power to create something beyond the confines of his image. He becomes weightless and fearless, able to orchestrate an entire universe and spin the sky around him. The lyrics suggest that true beauty and freedom come not from external validation, but from the ability to create something wholly one's own.
Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the constant struggle to accept oneself and find beauty within. It highlights the ways in which societal expectations and our own self-doubt can trap us, and the ultimate hope that lies in breaking free from these limitations and creating our own realities.
Line by Line Meaning
if you want beautiful, pitiful, have me in a picture
If you want to capture my beauty and sadness, take a picture of me
and if you want make me dance, throw me round spin upon your finger
If you want to see me dance, treat me like a puppet and control my movements
blind labors the blind and i am unwilling to uncover my eyes
Everyone is blind to the truth and I don't want to see it either
and if you want take your time rifle through, find a very nice one if there's a crease in my face over time, there's plenty more where that came from
Take your time to find the perfect picture of me, even if my aging face has wrinkles as there are more to come
words, frozen, will thaw when i am wasted, i am better shut up and a frame is quite confining, hang me up...hang me up
When I am drunk, I may speak my mind, but I prefer to stay quiet. Being stuck in a frame is restrictive, and I just want to be hung up and forgotten
i'm in the photograph
I am captured in the photo, like a frozen moment in time
when i'm alone and the world is a fist, i am weightless a universe, gravitate, orchestrate, i am fearless and spin, the sky surrounding free from all the picture perfect and spin the sky surrounding, larger than life, meanwhile
When I'm alone, the world feels heavy, but I am weightless and can control everything around me. I am not afraid and can handle any situation. I can spin and fly above the picture-perfect world, larger than life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: George Harrison, Richard Starkey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Anthonythomas5511
" When I'm alone, and the world is a fist,
I am weightless
a universe, gravitate, orchestrate, I am fearless
and spin, the sky surrounding free from all the picture perfect
and spin the sky surrounding, larger than life, meanwhile
I'm in the Photogragh"
Don't know what it means, but I love it. Come back, Verve Pipe. You are missed.
@kayulpuput
And if you want beautiful, pitiful
Have me in a picture
And if you want make me dance
Throw me 'round spin upon your finger
Blind labors the blind and I am
Unwilling to uncover my eyes
And if you want take your time
Rifle through, find a very nice one
If there's a crease in my face over time
There's plenty more where that came from
Words, frozen, will thaw when I am
Wasted, I am better shut up
And a frame is quite confining
Hang me up, hang me up
I'm in the photograph
I'm in the photograph
Well, I'm in the photograph, hey
Picture this
When I'm alone and the world is a fist
Well, I am weightless
A universe, gravitate, orchestrate
Well, I am fearless
And spin the sky surrounding
Free from all the picture perfect
And spin the sky surrounding
Larger than life, meanwhile
I'm in the photograph
Well, I'm in the photograph
Oh, I'm in the photograph, hey, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm in the photograph
I'm in the photograph
Oh, I'm in the photograph, hey yeah
@thisguy9602
This came out in an amazing era called the 90's where classic jams like this came out every other week. If you didn't live it, you just don't know...
@into.the.wood.chipper.
Back then, I thought that's how music always was!
Remember the top 10 on The End?
@murakawa-san2279
Oh, I definitely lived it, and this is not one of those classic jams!
@GEN.X.MAT.only.1.T
@@murakawa-san2279 well the album spawned their two biggest singles and it was o popular for the time…90s had lots of competition though
@murakawa-san2279
@@GEN.X.MAT.only.1.T This “song” sucked in the 90s and it sucks today. Some things never change
@TheVCRTimeMachine
The 90s were one of the worst decades ever for popular music. This song included
@scotthalligan4675
For a short period of time they were absolutely brilliant. There was so much good music in the 90's. I think at this point people were starting to look at some of it as a rerun of the grunge and immediate "post-grunge" eras of the early 90's, but this band definitely deserved better, brilliant vocals and good musicians. The last great decade of true rock music. the 00's became a parody of it and took it on a downhill spiral. The 90's were the best.
@cheryllynmc
Yes.
@mikewatson9676
Such a kick ass song. The 90's were a blur to me...divorce, financial ruin, moving from state to state. I do remember hearing this song on the radio at time, but did not appreciate it. NOW, present day....life is very good, and I am retired and relaxing....and now really appreciating this song. SO GOOD, AND SO ROCKING!!!! Thank you Verve Pipe!!!
@cymaddux3131
I hope it all is getting better for you Mike