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
Television
The Verve Pipe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got some autographs of others but a shirt that smells a little like her
Once the bane of my perversion
Now she's on the television
Turn it up turn it down
Tune me in tune me out
Bite my lip around the family they know her holiday and summer weekend face
She's got a lovely shitcom family adopted one of every single race
Put yourself in my position
My Ex is on the television
Turn it up
When you place your lips upon the screen spark of which you've never seen
A volume knob controls the scream
Turn it up
The Verve Pipe's song "Television" is an emotional narrative of a man who feels a deep connection with a celebrity he once knew intimately. The opening lyrics describe the singer waiting in line for an autograph, watching as fans eagerly line up to meet the celebrity. He indicates that he has some memorabilia of her, but the most significant item he has is a shirt that still has her scent on it.
The next verse reveals the man's relationship with the celebrity, which he describes as once being the bane of his perversion. However, she is now a television star, and the man struggles to deal with the new reality of seeing her on screen. He describes his conflicting emotions as he tries to watch her on TV with his family, who are unaware of his past with her.
The chorus, "Turn it up, turn it down, tune me in, tune me out," is a representation of the man's desperate desire to either immerse himself in his feelings for her or forget about her altogether. The final verse returns to the man's impulse to hold onto anything that reminds him of her, such as the shirt with her scent. He then admits to his lust for her, imagining her kissing the screen, and describes how the volume knob on the TV controls the intensity of his desire.
Overall, "Television" is a poignant commentary on the power of celebrity and the hold it can have over fans. The man's obsession with the celebrity represents a longing for a connection, a desire to be close to someone he once knew, but can now only admire from afar.
Line by Line Meaning
She's signing autographs for hours the line is longer when you deal with amateurs
She spends hours signing autographs for anyone who asks, but the line is longer when she deals with inexperienced fans.
I've got some autographs of others but a shirt that smells a little like her
Although I have some autographs from other people, I have a shirt that reminds me of her and her scent.
Once the bane of my perversion
Now she's on the television
Previously, my obsession with her was a negative influence on my life. Now, she has become an actress in television shows.
Turn it up turn it down
Tune me in tune me out
Adjust the volume of the television to suit your preferences. Pay attention to me or ignore me completely.
Bite my lip around the family they know her holiday and summer weekend face
She's got a lovely shitcom family adopted one of every single race
I try to suppress my emotions when around her family because they only know her happy and perfect side. She has an attractive family with a diverse range of adopted children.
Put yourself in my position
My Ex is on the television
Imagine yourself in my shoes, seeing my ex on television and how that feels for me.
Turn it up
When you place your lips upon the screen spark of which you've never seen
A volume knob controls the scream
Amplify the volume on the television and watch her closely, feeling a new spark of passion. Adjust the volume to control your reaction.
Turn it up
Increase the volume on the television.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: A.J. DUNNING, BRAD VANDER ARK, BRIAN VANDER ARK, DONNY BROWN, DOUG CORELLA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind