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
slave
The Verve Pipe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for the needles to begin
I have no control
They proceed to penetrate my skin
Acting as your slave I drink for amber waves
I never have embraced
Acting as your slave I drink an open grave
Killing with compassion
She hasn't heard a word that I have said
Swallowing your passion
I can see a thousand miles ahead
Acting as your slave I drink for barricades
That I have often raised
Acting as your slave I numb my head and rave
Of epitaphs defaced
Acting as your slave I drink while she forgave
With trials left unfaced
Acting as your slave I stumble to her grave
An epitaph defaced
In the song "Slave" by The Verve Pipe, the lyrics depict a sense of powerlessness and surrender to someone else's control. The opening lines, "My hand asleep for hours, waiting for the needles to begin," suggest a feeling of numbness and anticipation. The needles symbolize a form of submission or manipulation, highlighting the vulnerability of the singer.
The lyrics further emphasize the theme of being controlled and manipulated by stating, "Acting as your slave, I drink for amber waves." This line suggests that the singer is indulging in unhealthy behaviors or habits as a means of coping with or appeasing their oppressor. The reference to "amber waves" could be interpreted as a metaphor for seeking temporary relief from the pain or oppression they are experiencing.
The chorus reveals a deeper sense of despair, as the lyrics express the singer's self-destructive tendencies: "Acting as your slave, I drink an open grave, an epitaph defaced." Here, the "open grave" represents the path towards destruction that the singer is willingly following, while the defaced epitaph suggests a loss of identity or sense of self.
The second verse introduces another character, mentioned as "she" or "your passion." This person seems oblivious to the singer's suffering, as they are "killing with compassion" and not hearing their words. This further emphasizes the sense of powerlessness and frustration.
Overall, the lyrics of "Slave" convey a sense of being trapped in a toxic relationship or situation, where the singer feels powerless and controlled. The drinking and self-destructive behaviors serve as a temporary escape from the pain but ultimately contribute to their own demise.
Line by Line Meaning
My hand asleep for hours
My hand has been numb and unresponsive for a long time
Waiting for the needles to begin
Anticipating the painful injections to start
I have no control
Feeling powerless and unable to influence the situation
They proceed to penetrate my skin
The needles pierce through my flesh
Acting as your slave I drink for amber waves
I am forced to obey you and consume alcohol as a way to escape reality
I never have embraced
I have never fully accepted or welcomed this role
Acting as your slave I drink an open grave
Being under your control leads me towards self-destructive behavior like drinking excessively
An epitaph defaced
A memorial inscription on a tombstone that has been vandalized or distorted
Killing with compassion
Causing harm or emotional pain while believing it is for the greater good
She hasn't heard a word that I have said
She is not attentive to any of my communication
Swallowing your passion
Suppressing or ignoring your own desires and feelings
I can see a thousand miles ahead
Having a clear vision of the long-term consequences
Acting as your slave I drink for barricades
Under your dominance, I drink to cope with emotional barriers and obstacles
That I have often raised
Barriers that I frequently create or encounter
Acting as your slave I numb my head and rave
As your servant, I dull my mind and express my confusion or anger intensely
Of epitaphs defaced
Inscriptions on tombstones that have been deliberately damaged or ruined
Acting as your slave I drink while she forgave
In the role of your subordinate, I consume alcohol while she grants forgiveness
With trials left unfaced
Without confronting or dealing with the challenges and difficulties
Acting as your slave I stumble to her grave
Being obedient to you, I clumsily approach her burial site
An epitaph defaced
A memorial inscription on her tombstone that has been vandalized or distorted
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN VANDER ARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind