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
in between
The Verve Pipe Lyrics
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Then lost her underneath the April showers
By may we worked out our difference
By June the petals were all plucked from flowers
In between my girl
And there is no other in this world, oh no
I am in between my girl
If she's get the nerve to stay
Hey would you mind standing in for
I only need you for this weekday evening
Saturday, I never knew you
Sorry dear, you really need to understand that I am
In between
She always gives me the runaround
She left me for a college boy
As sure as the world is round
Next semester she'll be back again
We're always off and on again
But for awhile I'll surely keep your number
In between
The Verve Pipe's song “In Between” is about the ups and downs of a relationship - the uncertainties, the joys, and the disappointments. The first few lines suggest that the singer met someone special in March, but due to unfortunate conditions, they lost each other in April. However, the relationship picked up again in May, but by June, things seemed to have changed. Despite the difficulties, the singer is determined to make things work and finds himself “in between” his girl and the rest of the world. He desires a brighter day and hopes that she has the guts to stick around.
The second half of the song shifts the focus to the idea of “in between” as a transitional state. The singer talks about a girl that he only needs for a weekday evening, and how he’s left in between her and his real love for the remainder. He describes the inconsistency of his relationship with his love - how she always gives him the runaround, and how they’re always on and off. He explains that she left him for a college boy, but in his heart, he knows that she’ll come back to him. Despite all of the obstacles the relationship has faced, he’s going to keep her number and remain in between his girl and the rest of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
In march I met my wonder love
I found the perfect person for me in March.
Then lost her underneath the April showers
We began to drift apart in April.
By may we worked out our difference
We managed to repair our relationship in May.
By June the petals were all plucked from flowers
Things fell apart again in June.
In between my girl
My relationship with my girlfriend is complicated.
And there is no other in this world, oh no
I am committed to her and no one else.
I am in between my girl
Our relationship is unstable and uncertain.
And it's gonna be a brighter day
I believe things will improve eventually.
If she's get the nerve to stay
If my girlfriend decides to stick around.
Hey would you mind standing in for
Can you fill in for my girlfriend?
I only need you for this weekday evening
I only need you temporarily.
Saturday, I never knew you
I don't need you on weekends.
Sorry dear, you really need to understand that I am
I can't commit to anything serious.
She always gives me the runaround
My girlfriend is inconsistent with her feelings.
She left me for a college boy
She left me for someone else.
As sure as the world is round
I know she'll be back at some point.
Next semester she'll be back again
I expect her to return to me soon.
We're always off and on again
Our relationship is constantly in flux.
But for awhile I'll surely keep your number
I'll keep you in mind as a backup option.
In between
My relationship is unstable and undefined.
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