First Time Hearing The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony (Reaction!)

[@williamzelesnik5242]

Walking down the sidewalk encountering people and cars symbolizes the bumps you encounter as you go thru life.

[@kanervatie]

When this came out, this cat was the coolest guy that everyone wanted to be in the so called "English pop"-thingie.

[@loreleimorphee5162]

Stones manager Allen Klein shortly after its release forced Richard Ashcroft to hand over 100 percent of the royalties from “Bitter Sweet Symphony” to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Finally more than 20 years later Rolling Stones Finally Gave Back ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ Songwriting Credits to the Verves. Great victory, they deserve it, one of the best song of the century..😊😊

[@psychodistortion06]

And the money they did make, they gave to charity

[@robbob5302]

Shon. Anybody can be a KZbin music reactor. Very few can rub two brain cells together as they are doing it. Keep doing what you are doing.

[@morgansmmoaddiction6185]

Right? I only stick with the ones that can do that, and that's why Shon is one of my favorites.

[@LetItBeSummer-1]

This song really got to me when it came out. Still hits me hard.

[@TheNotedHero]

"The Drugs Don’t Work" is a fantastic song of theirs - hits pretty hard but is a must listen.

[@robertlanier2235]

One of my all time favorite songs.

[@SJ19_998]

Yesss

[@SJ19_998]

And lucky man

[@MonkeyFace544]

He also says “I can’t change” over and over. A true dichotomy, the lyrics throw you off balance. Love it.

[@michellez1414]

Height of 90s brit pop. Love the Verve and Richard Ashcroft. For more great brit pop, check out Blur, Spacehog, Oasis, and my FAVORITE- Pulp. Jarvis Cocker, the singer for Pulp is fascinating. Love his solo work as much as Pulp!

[@mattleppard1970]

So few have done Pulp. I fell in love with them after Babies, which still makes me tingle, and was never let down. Such a packed back catalogue. Different Class was a seminal album. Man, I need to listen to all that again. Now! ❤

[@kierand600]

I saw Spacehog open for Oasis. It was such a memorable show.

[@Ep0nz]

You hit the song meaning on the head! If you look up the history of this song, the lyrics come to life. This man was sued so bad that he didn’t make anything off this song, and this song was POPULARRRRRR in the late 90’s and early 2000’s (thanks cruel intentions movie)! The fact that he kept playing this song this song for pretty much free, says A LOT. I’m glad Richard Ashcroft FINALLY got his song back in 2019! Too bad it was 20+ years later and the song has been milked dry! They need to put this song in a new movie or have the tik tok comminity (can’t believe I’m saying this) get ahold of this masterpiece and get everyone listening to this again so Richard and the rest of the verve get their fair share of royalties.

[@paulmills1668]

Brilliant song for sure and your reaction was amazing bro you really caught everything he was saying keep it up bro👍🎼🎶

[@3DJapan]

I saw him perform this live a couple years ago in Philadelphia. He sounded great and he was very nice, sticking around to talk to fans after the show.

[@AZeye]

Have to listen to their Lucky Man!!

[@lubomirhianik6736]

VERVE - LUCKY MAN VERVE - LUCKY MAN VERVE - LUCKY MAN VERVE - LUCKY MAN VERVE - LUCKY MAN

[@AZeye]

Yes!!!

[@pigeonboy958]

This is the song that plays in my head when I walk into a room knowing I'm better than every other person in that room. To date, the only song that has played in my head when I've walked into a room thus far has been "Loser" by Beck.

[@rodthebodfromcanada]

Still can't hear this song without thinking of the final scene of Cruel Intentions.

[@マシュードーラン]

That’s unfortunate because I never saw that movie and I have a much better feeling from this song

[@jeffstevens4262]

Richard Ashcroft is a genius. This was such an iconic video from the '90's and The Verve were such a great British band. Incidentally, the lady who rushes out of her car to confront him is actually his wife. Please, rect to 'Lucky Man' it's my favourite, but there are plenty other classic like 'Sonnet' & 'The Drugs Don't Work'. He's a fascinating artist.

[@DaryoGoinden]

Space and time and This time

[@psychodistortion06]

There were two geniuses in the band. Nick McCabe is a generational guitar player, even though he isn't featured much in this song.

[@seanalexis0823]

You express yourself SO WELL!! Super insightful. I’ve known this song for years and you caught some stuff I never did.

[@anthonyguadagnino2681]

One of the best songs ever written. Love how u just walks down the street and doesn’t give a fuck

[@xanajak]

Their other otherworldly song is Lucky Man.

[@AZeye]

My favorite!

[@PatchTM983]

timeless classic

[@jpatherton2415]

Your response is both brilliant and profoundly insightful

[@drewstiakakis8630]

Bro i had a smile on my face the whole duration due to ur energy spirit nd insight along with the epic artistry they blessed us with....God is everything💯💯🙏🫡👂

[@allieren]

Mannnn this song was everywhere during my first year in college. I still love it. Edit: All these years I’ve been listening to this song and I just now noticed that part at 3:25 that you said was fire. You’re right! Idk how I’ve never heard that before

[@aaronbrett317]

Your reactions are always spot on. I’m so impressed how you are able to articulate what the song is trying to tell everyone. Fantastic work

[@Sarah83_loves_bass]

In my teen years this played over and over iäon the radio 😅👍🏻 Lucky man is a nice one by them too ❤️

[@andreasmith6528]

My kids were preteens when this came out and they played it over and over. The meaning of the lyrics has changed for me over the years (but I'm not getting older or anything, so I'm SURE it has nothing to do with that). 🙂 Great reaction. Still waiting for "Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance, another song from my kids' teen years.

[@oskarobit]

And now Shon, "The Drugs Don't Work". As The Verve or as Richard Ashcroft. Richard Ashcroft - The Drugs Don't Work (Live on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky) You'll love it. He dedicated to his father that passed away.

[@jffullum4325]

The verve is fire.

[@KC-gy5xw]

Classic song and great video. If you haven't done so already, check out Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy - great video, along these lines. Actually, they Verve may have taken the idea from Massive Attack - or vice versa!! both brilliant

[@Missylife-t7m]

Yes, the video was a tribute to Massive Attack 'Unfinished Sympathy' which is legendary in it own right. Shame it is overlooked.

[@KC-gy5xw]

@@Missylife-t7m I knew it was one way or the other!!

[@Missylife-t7m]

@@KC-gy5xw Hopefully, he will do a reaction it. Fingers crossed.

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

I LOVVVVE that song. It's still one of my top favorites! 💖💖💖

[@timbukh3]

Excellent song and I thoroughly enjoy this video. It was a unique presentation for this song. Good reaction as always.

[@theapavlou3030]

I love your reaction to this perfectly composed classic. Few bands achieve this type of greatness. This also epitomises a particular time and era of UK music. It makes me happy to see you so happy about this song 😊

[@brianbutz3306]

As a long time fan of this band it's fun to see someone appreciating its depth and beauty for the first time. This was on their 3rd album and everything up to and including this album were incredibly well written, quite experimental and gut-wrenchingly heartfelt. Unfortunately, this song rocketed them into super stardom, and also got them sued for millions. The title of the song and the orchestral strings were actually written by the Rolling Stones, then re-recorded into an elevator music (Muzac) version, which is what Verve sampled without premission. So they effectively found themselves as one of the biggest bands in the world, but couldn't please their audience without playing THE hit, but in playing that song they were adding to the lawsuit. So they sort of became millionaires, world famous, and broke within a few months. The lead singer/songwriter already had some serious drug issues which are sort of alluded to here as well. The works they've done after this release didn't have the same magic, the songs felt more contrived and less honest, they seemed to try to appeal to the wider audience that connected to this song, they were more worried about being relevant again, than saying what they had to say. Their first 3 albums though are absolutely gorgeous. I highly recommend their song "Lucky Man" which was off this album as well. In that one he's sort of trying to talk himself out of feeling inadequate in finding a new partner, but doubts she can meet him where he is and it sort of turns into a triumphant, humble, anthem of heartache... it's really unique and profoundly beautiful. When you indicated that the "I can change" line in this is him trying to talk himself into it, is very much what "Lucky man" is.... He doubts a new love interest can see beyond his self doubt and actually see his brilliance and worthiness. The orchestra soundtrack backing him up is a huge triumph of self knowlege, inspiration and confidence, but you know that even though he recognizes these things within himself, he doesn't believe or feel them, and doubts she can either. It's a really beautiful song, but likely not a good way to live.It's very much worth checking out though. I've enjoyed hearing your insights on this and look forward to what you have to say about other favorites of mine.

[@2lowkey100]

Your reactions are fire. You always go deep into the lyrics and meaning, while most people reacting to this are commending are the dude bumping into people, and have almost nothing to say about the lyrics. You clearly ain’t in this for the clout, you actually care, unlike others that react to the most popular shit for the views. Respect 👊

[@zeroxox777]

Great reaction! I love American reactions to UK music 'cuz it proves how much we are all the same because you probably get our music better then we do, and I'm not even joking when I say that. You make perfect instant music critics to UK music, at least compared to us.

[@StevenBreault-o2f]

Richard Ashcroft was/is the lead singer. Check out his solo work: break the night with colour, this thing called life, check the meaning, actually, pretty much, anything, he is amazing

[@pattymckitrick7436]

❤❤Thank you Shon !!😊😊

[@joannparker1977]

This is a great song. They had such talent. I wish they were still around.

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

Another sad tale this is. The song writer had agreed to pay 1/2 the royalties for the use of 5 notes of an old Rolling Stones song but they used more than 5 notes. The band had unknowingly crossed Allen Klein, the pit bull of a former manager for The Rolling Stones who owned the publishing rights to their early catalogue. The Verve had an agreement with the record company Decca to use the sample. But Klein’s company ABKCO held the publishing rights to “The Last Time” and he used them as a crowbar to strip The Verve of everything he could. Klein's lawyers won and Klein took 100 percent of the royalties and forced Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to be credited as the sole songwriters (leading to a Grammy nomination for the pair for “writing” a song they didn’t write). Oldham, who filed a smaller lawsuit, was credited as the performer. For creating a global hit, Ashcroft only ever saw/got $1,000 and credit for the lyrics in the liner notes. Two other great One Hit Wonders.... 'The American Breed - Bend Me, Shape Me' (1967) and 'Barry McGuire - Eve of Destruction' (1965). Cheers.

[@Hercules4444]

Very well said, you definitely got the message behind it👏🎧🇮🇱

[@evoste]

Great tune and review man.

[@That-Ginger-Chick]

The Verve are from the town right next to mine and there's and there's a music venue with their faces (and other bands from the area like Oasis, The Buzzcocks, The Charlatans and Stone roses) painted on the doors.

[@woahblackbettybamalam]

I reccomend Gipsy Kings -A mi manera

[@mrysedeers]

'Can't change'....

[@morgansmmoaddiction6185]

The entire album is this good. Highly recommend!

[@NikolaLukaj]

Lil bro you are amazing broski. Godspeed to you always. One 💙😎✨

[@mikeb36240]

Halestorm - "I Am The Fire"🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@professorstewart6379]

For some more great British rock, I suggest "Champagne Supernova" by Oasis.

[@juhaleppala2934]

Hunters and Collectors, Say Goodbye and Holy Grail

[@b00jen81]

Gotta do "Lucky Man" by them! You'll love it, trust and believe! :) Fantastic reaction as always, Shon 💗

[@arieloh1767]

Love this song!

[@mikeb36240]

Royal Blood - "Lights Out"🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Paul-w9l5y]

This is definitely on my 420 play list

[@anthonyv1719]

They sampled the ROLLING STONES - almost a one hit wonder - and MICK graciously said later they could keep the royalties.

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

Mick had no say in the matter. Allen Klein owned the rights to the song and he sued them for all the earnings of it and won. Part of the award credited Mick & Keith the writing credits but they only wrote the sampled bit.

[@philippalmer7686]

Dude, you rock! Your reactions are the fire!

[@mattblatchley2061]

Ren did a really cool rap over the music track...check it out

[@markdrechsler5660]

Yes, Ren’s tune is excellent. 🙂

[@ememnicholas565]

This is a great little band. I saw them back in the 90's. They were very good. The lead singer is Richard Ashcroft and he also has some solo work. I have one of his albums and it is a favorite. The Rolling Stones sued The Verve over this song, and the Stones won. I'm not sure what the settlement/financial penalty was after all was said and done. However, the band didn't survive long afterward.

[@IndianaJane123]

Love this song ❤

[@DutchG92]

Powerful song, Moby - Porcelain is also very good

[@fredvelez7703]

around 6:40 you got it! Like all of us, even though we keep going around the block, can we change? You really got an instinct to music. Good stuff!

[@2RGGrannyJeff]

I would love to see you react to Bloodywood. They're an Indian Folk Metal band that blends metal, rap and traditional Indian music and it works so perfectly. I guarantee you've never heard anything like it and you will love it. Check out the song "Aaj."

[@bigmike4436]

Always liked this song since I first heard it. Recently watched a Larkin Poe acoustic cover on YT and was wowed.

[@skalticjoo3790]

I don't always watch reaction videos. But your videos are great.

[@amandaconti1007]

John Newman - Love me again……check out Northern Soul Dancing as well. It’s featured in this video. However, there are lots of demo video’s of NSD.

[@freddiejamscat]

long hot summer by the style council

[@SJ19_998]

Stereophonica are gr8 tooo btw

[@patrickdoolan9527]

I know that street. This was fimiled in 1996/97.

[@mikeb36240]

The NEW Beatles - "Now And Then"🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@waynecatterton5127]

Love seeing your reactions, you really listen and HEAR the music, love it. keep it up! You should do some reactions to Collective Soul, pick a song, they are all really good, but you could start off with "Shine"

[@jeanniemetiva6745]

One of my favorites ❤ I believe it's their only hit. At least the only one I've ever heard from them...

[@michellez1414]

They were big in the uk

[@jeanniemetiva6745]

@michellez1414 I figured they were. I love em!! Unfortunately this is the only song I've heard from them. Definitely have to checkout other songs.

[@That-Ginger-Chick]

​@jeanniemetiva6745 The Drugs don't work is a great song by them, highly reccommend

[@jeanniemetiva6745]

@@That-Ginger-Chick thanks! Greatly appreciated! I'll check it out!!

[@rowdyron4111]

Excellent!

[@mztweety1374]

Nope, I am not watching cruel intentions…again😂😂😂😂 This covered by Rockin 1,000 is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@robbob5302]

Thank you. Please, close to Thanksgiving, PLEASE do Alice’s Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie! This song is a Thanksgiving tradition!

[@matts4590]

You should listen to Ren's remake of this. I belive the guitarist sent him one of his after hearing it

[@ler5299]

Great song, and great reaction! Loved it. Check out also "Lucky Man." (The Verve). Much different song but one of my favorites. He's amazing.

[@robjay3850]

Good reaction!!

[@danielt4449]

try "send me an angel" by real life

[@cmwperformance]

Would love to see you react to The Cure, Depeche Mode, Erasure, Duran Duran...

[@jeremyvitell2305]

If you want hard and deep give the "Toadies" and their song "Possum Kingdom" a listen. Brace yourself...lol

[@letsstock-a-lot4095]

I used to hear this every day on graveyard shift with my homies stocking shelves at the supermarket. Good times and great memories.

[@ronstegall2312]

Check out BOOM Town Rats "I Don't like Mondays!!!"You'll dig it!!!

[@orhanylmaz8145]

Though this son is so much popular, the album, Urban Hymns, contains really better songs, i can say easy, when you start listening, you just cannot stop... I keep this album so dearly in my special collection.

[@Stacy55ish]

The woman who gets out of the car and confronts him on the sidewalk is his wife.

[@KC-gy5xw]

Try a reaction to the BBC Proms Northern Soul. THE best use of my license fee for YEARS...

[@eternalsoul3862]

Check out colorful by them

[@mattleppard1970]

Anthem from first listen. Try also the Jay-Z rap mashup ❤ Great reaction to a very powerful song. Thanks

[@ElHombreSinNombre]

I love candy, just like you.

[@VEGAFLICKS]

Descent song, but it WILL NOT get you invited to the barbeque! 😁😁😁

[@GrandpaOCE]

Sebastian Bach - by your side pls react to this amazing song

[@fredmcveigh9877]

Hi Shon, please give the Neville Brothers a listen with the track, "Sons and Daughters(Reprise)".It must have (reprise) as part of the title as Sons And Daughters is a different song .

[@lynnieiapichino1121]

☮️💙💙💙🔥🔥😎

[@LoveTheVideo]

I enjoyed your reaction to this song!🙂 Will you react to R.E.M. “Everybody Hurts “

[@mattknowles1123]

Listen to Lucky Man next.

[@ericoverly2895]

It's kinda funny...they got permission to sample a rolling stones song...when the stones manager saw how successful the song was he was like you sampled too much and won so all the royalties from this song goes to the rolling stones

[@pabloandreshernandez7235]

Shon please your reaction - USA For Africa We Are The World

[@rogerdaly6326]

The Verve got sued by The Rolling Stones for using the strings part in the song. They lifted it from the Stone's song The Last Time. It was originally agreed upon to allow The Verve to use 5 notes from the melody in exchange for 50% of the profits from the song. When the song was released they had used more of the melody than agreed upon so a lawsuit was filed and The Stones won.

[@stephaniewade2973]

Like they needed the money, that was petty AF.

[@3DJapan]

​@@stephaniewade2973Well you have to protect your copyright or you can lose it.

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

No, the Stones had nothing to do with it. Allen Klein's company ABKCO owned the publishing rights to the Stones early catalogue. The Verve had an agreement with Decca to use the sample but Klein’s company ABKCO held the rights to “The Last Time”.

[@stephaniewade2973]

@@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus They still didn't have to go after an unknown artist so hard. Apparently they never did it again

[@TheGreatGig73]

I believe they are now receiving their fair share

[@OlleStahlberg]

Check out artist Ren's remake of this, same title I think. ✨👍🏼✨

[@ultraredd]

He's already reacted to Ren's retake about a year ago. Go back through his reactions and check it out.

[@robsonalvesperfumaria]

Please, react to any Christina Aguilera' song. And react to Björk's All Is Full Of Love (single version)

[@albaPhenom]

You know you reacted to a Ren remix/take on this track?

[@nomisnestral6956]

Try On Your own as a worthy sequel...

[@JohnCarrollJOWELL]

It is funny that he is trying to prevent copyrights to a song that got sued millions of dollars for copyright infringements.. lol