How Terribly Unfortunate.

[@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain]

Sorry if the clips are a bit short, the copyright elves were strict about this one! www.patreon.com/jushawk

[@NeunExtraleben]

what elves? i'm pretty shure they're demons . . . 😁

[@mrbig1022]

@@NeunExtraleben 🎤shure

[@mightyV444]

... while the scammers pop up all over YT without detection 😏

[@drunvert]

Always bright to stop people from finding bands before or after their time. Copyright elves being evil and stupid as usual

[@miou-miou-]

the verve did get approval to use that sample though since they weren't a big famous band at the time.. as soon as the song peaked the charts the asshat manager for the stones took it back and made sure he got all the money. i wonder how big the verve would have become if it weren't for that conniving stones manager pretty much putting a halt to the band by taking away all the money they would have made off of that song alone. that whole album is fantastic, but that greedy move must have taken a toll on the band mentally. knowing that even if they get approval to use something it can be taken away in the blink of an eye if the song becomes a commercial success.

[@RiffsAndBeards]

I think it's super cool that after the Stones got their publishing back from their former manager who took it from The Verve, Richards and Jagger gave Ashcroft his song publishing back in 2019.

[@christopherweise438]

Just like Dolly Parton having to give her songs to Porter Wagoner to get out of her contract with him. Then years later when he needed money instead of her just loaning him money....she bought her catalog and HIS catalog for a few million. Then.....years later when he had money and wanted to buy his catalog back from her....she just gave it back to him NO CHARGE.

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

Sweet of Dolly Parton and what a weird set of events involving music catalogues

[@aprilkurtz1589]

I always respected that Jagger/Richards did that.

[@scottypippen3778]

That is cool.

[@williamberry2351]

@@aprilkurtz1589 even after Richard Ashcroft publicly slated them for it (even though it wasn’t their choice and he had ripped of the song in part)

[@andybetts1484]

I was chatting to Nick McCabe a few weeks ago and he advised me that urban Hymns was recorded on tape, analogue. but, there were edits done in pro-Tools then flown back onto tape for mastering. The first 2 albums were 100% analogue on tape. Nick is a genius guitarist that plays with textures and soundscapes rather than straight ahead chords etc.

[@Mistressofthegroove]

The melody had been appropriately submitted to Stones manager and initially approved then withdrawn when it smashed up the charts! Jagger and Richards were also victims as did not own rights on some of their music. The wrong was righted finally in 2019, Mick Jagger said at the time it should have happened long ago but he and Keith Richards admitted until their Manager died and the song went to his estate it was a legal minefield, they did not directly receive any of those royalties on Bittersweet as I recall. It was a very emotional moment for Richard and a little sad that his manager Jazz, who campaigned for years on his behalf, didn't live long enough to see the wrong righted. Better late than never I guess.

[@ecldinc]

They weren't the first band Stones lawyer Allen Klein sued and sure wasn't the last that he stole from either.

[@Tohereknowswhen]

@@ecldinc Remember Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine? They did a song called After The Watershed in 1991, but they got into trouble with the Stones' publishers because of the line "Goodbye ruby Tuesday, come home you silly cow", I think Jimbob from the band revealed the publishers wanted 100% even though it was mainly that one line that got sung 3 times in the song.

[@ecldinc]

@@Tohereknowswhen Check out the one where George Harrison is being sued for copying The Chiffons, He's So Fine. Klein is supposed to represent Harrison, but tries to go buy the publishing for that song, so when Harrison would lose the case, George would actually be paying Klein twice as his rep and the song owner. Scumbag of the first order.

[@markwitsken8260]

Thanks for this explanation. I had not heard that Jagger/Richards reversed this. I also thought it was so, so wrong that they did this. When they returned the rights to the Verve guys, there should have been a million dollar check for each of them as well.

[@donnascottcomedy]

@@Tohereknowswhen I remember that! I always thought it was crazy, because it was the title. I think the NME ran a joke saying that the Rolling Stones had copyrighted all words.

[@F10MTL]

It has the realest line I've every heard "You're a slave to the money then you die." That's the blues right there.

[@hdng1984]

On a northern soul, the lyric that always hits me is "You come in on your own and you leave on your own", which is similarly as nihilistic. Ashcroft is a genius

[@Mitchell_E_Underscore]

I remember watching the video on TV when I was a kid. My dad was in the room and when he heard that line, he repeated to himself. I could tell it landed with him and that stuck with me.

[@F10MTL]

@@Mitchell_E_Underscore It's a line that gets more real the older you get

[@Ed-cc7do]

I was a production runner on this video aged 25. I remember how focused Richard was. He knew the big time was upon him. The director Walter Stern shot some much more violent stuff as I recall where Ashcroft got beaten up as he walked on but it didn’t make the cut.

[@truelovewontwait]

Its available to watch on youtube

[@indefatigable6176]

@@truelovewontwait Link?

[@truelovewontwait]

@@indefatigable6176 just type bittersweet symphony alternative version into the search column

[@DerekFrancis75]

Such a clever music video I thought.

[@Ed-cc7do]

@@DerekFrancis75 I remember on most pop video shoots you'd be sick of the song by lunchtime because you'd hear it on playback over and over again as the artist mimed along, often very reluctantly. But the BSS shoot was the exception that proved the rule, all the crew were going "this is a bloody great tune, and Richard's great, and the idea for the video is great (usually there was no idea :-)) Not for a moment suggesting anyone had any idea HOW massive the song would be, but we definitely all thought it would be a hit and it was an exciting day.

[@StrangeAttractor]

the crazy thing about this era-defining, everyone-remembers-where-they-were-when-they-first heard it track, is that there are at least half a dozen tracks on Urban Hymns which are even better. I'll still be playing it in the OAPs home....

[@gazzie12000]

I have no idea where I was when I first heard this track. Nor have I ever liked it, but hey ho ! The only reason it was a hit was the musical hook which was just directly copied.

[@StrangeAttractor]

@@gazzie12000 yet here you are, commenting on this video! Hmmm....

[@jamesthecat]

I will be playing it in the OAPs home, too, and probably hoping the drugs do work!

[@SimonDutch]

A Northern Soul is an epic, drug fuelled, intense, dark masterpiece of nineties alt/indie rock. Looking forward to your flick on that one Mr Hawkins 🤘

[@mikejenkins4924]

Northern Soul was a very dark album indeed. I was doing tons of drugs of all types back then, and was incredibly autodestructive. This album was my soundtrack in these times, and I can't listen to it all these years later without it bringing shit back up.

[@judegraham463]

@@mikejenkins4924 so true. As powerful at moving some in one direction, the same piece can alternatively move others in the opposite directions. Its all in our heads largely is in it Mike. I get what you're saying I think, how music can amplify those feelings we have for good, or bad. So true brother.

[@mikejenkins4924]

@@judegraham463 I think we all have a soundtrack to our lives, even if we don't consciously remember every track. But music has such a way to permeate our emotions and feelings, plus experiences, that just a listen can transport us to that time and space. I love music for that.

[@silkywellman9046]

Nick McCabe is such an inventive, creative guitarist!

[@rrdream2400]

Owen Morris said he could get Noel Gallagher to play the same part over and over while Nick McCabe never played anything the same way twice which is part of the reason Nick is so unique and amazing.

[@aaronholmes8568]

Nick has a genius, but he would never ever approach anything the same way. There's a Later... appearance where he's just randomly hitting dissonant notes with a slide and it's not representative of him at all.

[@royorbit]

I’d love to see you do an episode discussing his solo deep cuts also. Great episode, thanks for giving the Verve some spotlight. I love them

[@efficiencygaming3494]

"Bitter Sweet Symphony" is probably my favorite song of all time, and yet The Verve had so many other songs that were just as good, if not better. A lot of the songs from their early singles and first album like "All in the Mind", "Gravity Grave", and "Star Sail" were really cool because they had a very trippy and shoegazey sound to them compared to the Britpop-type stuff they would do later on. They're some of the most underrated songs of the 1990s, in my opinion.

[@prettyheartmachine]

I loved Richard's Ashcroft's first solo album, Alone With Everybody! Pretty sure I tried to put "On a Beach" on every single mix CD I made in the early 00s.

[@amysquie]

On a Beach is one of my all time favourite songs! So beautiful, still gets me in the gut.

[@fredrikstadwhite]

Nick McCabe is a phenomenal guitarist. Love him.

[@EJleon96]

Especially on slide guitar, he is amazing

[@rizzledizzle9801]

Him and john squire are the best of 80s/90s guitarists

[@allanmills6540]

@@rizzledizzle9801 Craddock always holds a special place in my heart

[@adeptsect]

The Verve's first album is called "A Storm in Heaven" Definitely my favorite. The first Recording I heard from them was "The Verve EP" it's amazing! These two albums were The Verve's best work imo, but that's prob because they hold so much sentimental value for me.. One of the best bands hands down!

[@guitarbandit94]

After all the bands you’ve gone through, have been surprised the verve has taken this long. Storm in heaven, early B-sides and Nick Mcgabe are so incredibly criminally underrated, always get a warm feeling hearing someone bring up The Verve.

[@wowomah6194]

That whole Urban Hymns album were like a religion to me in my teens, one of the only songs that could make me just break down and cry so easily. I remember it was my birthday and I was like 17 or so and listened to it as I fell asleep and cried because I was so happy I was alive haha. Truly great songwriting on those Verve albums. And yes Life's an Ocean of course was another MINDBLOWINGLY great one, that Jules Holland live version is out of this world with Nick McCabe's searing lead accents while Ashcroft is roaring out his soulful lungs. Everyone knows this one for the Verve of course in ye olde America but god I wish they'd know so much more of the Verve than even the small amount most of my fellow Americans know of Oasis. Their last album in 2008 "Forth" has some absolute existential power to it...you cannot help but think about your life, existence, love, what it all really means, and your dreams when you listen to the Verve. They definitely tapped into something really incredible as far as music as poetry. The only songs I've ever desired to really cover were the Verve songs and playing the Drugs Don't Work, Sonnet, Space and Time, Lucky Man...those songs did and still do remind me that "WOW, I DO have a soul and right now it really, really hurts and feels good at the same time", I think the Zoomers would call this an "OOF" But lmao Justin you hit the nail on the head "Outsider rock but with violins"

[@RyanMichero]

I still call em Verve. Personally, their first stuff, The Verve EP and A Storm in Heaven, is my favorite. I saw them live in 1993, and WOW, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Such incredible brilliance live. That exact show was recorded on video and is on KZbin now, 1993 The Backyard, Austin, TX. I was standing right in front and their roaring crescendi rattled my rib cage and set the hairs on my back on end.

[@zaffranmoon1580]

I felt the same when I first saw them in Camden at the monarch.

[@RyanMichero]

@@zaffranmoon1580 Oh I lived in London a while, I miss going to shows in Camden.

[@RyanMichero]

@@zaffranmoon1580 I should say I miss going to shows in Camden and Brixton and Islington and Hackney and King's Cross and Soho and Hammersmith and...

[@drunvert]

Thanks. I will find that EP now. I was too busy working everyday in the 90s to follow music

[@RyanMichero]

Here's the show I saw. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqK6e3ywZ5KLgdk

[@PaulDowsettUK]

I saw Verve playing to about 30 people in the After Dark club in Reading in 1993. I loved their early period - Nick McCabe's guitar sound was amazing.

[@Jamiewharton]

Very jealous, amazing bootleg!

[@PaulDowsettUK]

​@Sharks Check the setlist fm website. Loads of well-known bands played there - Radiohead, Supergrass, Spacemen 3, GBOA, Senseless Things, Shed Seven, Levellers, Manic Street Preachers. I don't think it's an exhaustive list.

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

That was cool as hell seeing you pick out 'Bittersweet' on acoustic. Massive talent and a great ear helps.

[@traviswhite5978]

"A Northern Soul" is an amazing album start to finish. I can listen to it today and it does not sound " dated". There are some albums from the " Brit Pop" eta that sound very dated now. I hope some of your viewers will go back and listen to " A Northern Soul" record or perhaps even viewers that have never heard it will discover it.

[@tehpickle1250]

I always very much enjoyed the song Lonely Soul, which Ashcroft did as a collaboration between himself, DJ Shadow, and James Levelle. That whole collaboration album (“Psyence Fiction”) was one of the defining albums of the 90s for me. Many a banger!

[@davidyates8880]

I'm glad I too got to see the Verve play live, they were a great band. What a shame that they just couldn't get on with each other.

[@miguelelgueta5830]

I loved Urban Hymns back then, I still can't believe that Ashcroft wrotte some amazing uplifting songs like Lucky Man and Bitter Sweet Symphony and yet in the same album he put a couple of spectaculary depressive songs like Drugs Dont Work and Sonnet

[@cry-baby5170]

justin hawkins playing the verve, just how brilliant is that. you should come to prague with the darkness, justin. cheers for the videos! blowing a strangely wonderful wind into my days.

[@tomitob7364]

Thank you Justin. I love it when you peel a song like an onion and examine the arrangement, drawing our attention to things we might have overheard. And what a story there is this song. Even though they had negotiated the rights with Decca to use the sample, thinking it was going to be 50/50, once Klein realised how successful it was going to be his company demanded 100 percent - or they take it out of the shops. Having said that, does anyone else have the urge to write: "Me and me Mum and me Dad and me Gran We’re off to Waterloo"

[@jeffreyroedel9804]

Fascinated by the '97-'99 period when britpop and grunge were sunsetting finally and there was a brief period of something that felt like a fresh continuation of rock music into something new. Urban Hymns and OK Computer in '97 were the ambassadors forward at that time I think. But also Gomez's Bring it On ('98) and Liquid Skin ('99), Elliott Smith's XO ('98), Massive Attack's Mezzanine ('98), PJ Harvey's Is This Desire ('98), Wilco's Summerteeth ('99) and Travis' The Man Who ('99). All great records!

[@StrangeAttractor]

those first couple of Gomez albums are masterpieces.

[@MarkS_1768]

Yeah, it was an interesting period. And then The Strokes and The White Stripes kickstarted the garage rock revival and everything went back to basics!

[@jeffreyroedel9804]

@@MarkS_1768 For sure, which definitely makes this late '90s rock era unique. Things splintered into more retro or more electronic around 2000, but the late 90s were a different beast.

[@modernchampionmusic81]

@@StrangeAttractor gomez 🤣

[@modernchampionmusic81]

@@MarkS_1768 Two utterly shite bands

[@Ed-cc7do]

I always thought Nick McCabe was a genuine enigma - genius guitar player, the engine of this massively successful band but no one knew anything about him. But apparently behind the scenes he would take Ashcroft on re: the ballads getting too numerous and too sugary. He always looked fucking cool and graceful on stage, like he was in his own world, which he probably was :)

[@rrdream2400]

I love Slide Away and Blue from their first album as much as anything they did.

[@msheldon10]

Yes! Both amazing songs. Virtual world as well is amazing on that album

[@rrdream2400]

@@msheldon10 Yes, absolutely, Already There is another stand out

[@samtagg8754]

A storm in Heaven and A Northern Soul are 2 of the best albums of all time let alone the Nineties!

[@whello2000]

Richard Ashcroft is amazing , his solo stuff , New York , song for the lovers just brilliant

[@redadamearth]

Finally began watching your channel and speaking as a musician (and fan of The Darkness), it's fantastic to hear these breakdowns. Thanks for doing this.

[@projectt4587]

This track is literally the anthem to my late teens. Urban hymns I feel is an underrated album particularly as lucky man, the drugs don’t work, sonnet and velvet morning are easily up there with bitter sweet symphony. Great vid 🤟🏻

[@StrangeAttractor]

Velvet Morning is the greatest song ever written, IMHO

[@chrischamberlain2168]

Space and Time is a tune. One Day is great as well.

[@projectt4587]

@@chrischamberlain2168 I’d definitely add weeping willow too

[@pyenapple]

As usual for youtube comments, “underrated” isn’t the word you’re looking for here. You mean underheard in 2022.

[@projectt4587]

@@pyenapple under-heard yes

[@MJ-803]

LOVE The Verve. I have all their records, which are not nearly enough records to have by The Verve. Ashcroft has such a great voice. Some of my favorite records were released in 1997: OK Computer, Urban Hymns, Ladies & Gentlemen We are Floating in Space, Homogenic. Look forward to your Northern Soul episode.

[@StrangeAttractor]

it was such an incredible time. I think we all sort of felt it then but we definitely know it looking back from here....

[@crimsonkate8241]

You forgot Marchin' Already, Justin really needs to cover them here too!

[@MJ-803]

@@crimsonkate8241 Yup, there are so many others I could have mentioned. It was a big year for music.

[@MarkS_1768]

In It For The Money by Supergrass was another classic from ‘97 👌

[@randomcamerajunk6977]

I remember listening to ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space at a mates house whilst tripping on psychedelics when it first came out. Blew my mind to pieces. Took me a year or more to track down who it was and get my own copy.

[@PK-vd3vo]

I don't know why, as it really shouldn't matter, but it makes me thrilled to hear you show your appreciation for Richard Ashcroft and The Verve.

[@jamesstafford3172]

His Vocal on 'Lonely Soul' with Unkle (James Lavelle & DJ Shadow) is an ABSOLUTE BANGER. Give it a whirl if you haven't heard it before Justin, it's absolutely rad!

[@mattdibbens1538]

Fantastic song 😀

[@stanlynch2009]

I always liked Lucky Man and some of Richard Ashcroft's solo stuff. It got me thinking of World Party and their Goodbye Jumbo album - it deserves the Justin Hawkins treatment. I met and talked with Karl Wallinger before a gig, super nice guy, great songwriter.

[@glengarryglenross7127]

Talk about biting the hand that feeds

[@heavymetal116]

Weeping Willow is also an underrated track. Psychedelic sound with immaculate lyrics. It's my most favourite Verve track.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Forgot about lucky man until I read this. Now I can remember it practically word for word. Anthem!

[@oakvalepennybridge]

His first solo album was amazing. I found the first two verve albums hard work. I really tried to get into them. I guess I prefer the more melodic stuff with the great guitars in the background

[@benjaminzamzow2807]

I've always liked the Darkness, and I found your channel about a week ago. This was probably the 10 one I've watched. I guess, what I find absolutely astounding is how music transcends and unites. I grew up in Northern Wisconsin and when I heard you talking about Richard Ashcroft's lyrics, McCabe's underrated guitar playing and overall unrecognized greatness of the Verve, I felt like I was hearing my own thoughts expressed. That despite the fact you're a bit older than me and grew up a world away. I'm a musician myself, albeit nowhere near as successful or accomplished. But Oasis and the Verve have been huge influences on my own creativity.

[@joeltaylor2830]

Great video. Those background guitars really all work together with the string sample and the vocals to make a wall of contrasting sounds. Nice work pointing out Allen Klein got all the royalties and the Stones got Jack, but still sorted it out when they were legally able to. I'd like to put a vote in for a Neil Diamond video - you know it makes sense. 'Shilo', 'Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show', 'Cracklin' Rosie', 'Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon'?

[@soloblue01]

Was always a fan of The Verve, but never listened to Ashcrofts solo music. After you and a lot of the comments saying it is good, I'll be checking it out. Thanks!

[@wallsgreebo8352]

His first album Alone With Everybody is amazing. Definately listen to that, if nothing else .

[@soloblue01]

@@wallsgreebo8352 A big thank you on the recommendation.

[@robinho1978.]

The Verve are easily one of my favourite bands! It’s class you’ve covered them. A Northern Soul is an absolute masterpiece

[@simonlee6761]

Saw them headline V98 (Chelmsford) - and in all the gigs and festivals I've been to since then, I've never heard/felt bass so loud and thick that felt like it was coming from within me and about to reverberate and explode my head (a la Scanners) like when they played. Was a top top gig.

[@thesilverecho1929]

The Verve is one of those bands that really defined an era of music that i fondly go back to quite often. From Gravity Grave through even their last record, Forth, there was an undeniable magic about their songs. RA’s solo albums are also quite strong as well. Nick McCabe, Simon Jones, Peter Salisbury all complimented each other so well, especially early on. Good on you Justin for showing the love. They are up there for me as one of my favs.

[@annicegrundy5307]

One of my favourite singers of all time..seen him sing live many times he just gets better and better

[@moustachio334]

Verve’s first few albums really blew my mind. It was so frustrating that they lost rights to their own song just because of a string quartet sample.

[@gazzie12000]

The "string quartet sample" is the only memorable thing in this track, it's the entire "hook" to this song - and the only reason it was a hit so not frustrating, but as it should be, if someone uses another's work.

[@8bitprodigy145]

@@gazzie12000 horrible take, Kanye is untouchable and rightfully so. It's a legal issue, simply put.

[@gazzie12000]

@@8bitprodigy145 What on earth are you talking about, what (or who) is Kanye, what is it to do with this? What does "horrible take" mean? I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about! 🙂

[@8bitprodigy145]

@@gazzie12000 I'm talking about sampling

[@edwardmulholland7912]

I love the first 3 albums - but “A Northern Soul” was the first album of theirs that I bought at the time of release. Two very dear friends of mine turned me on to them. It’s an incredible album - up there with Big Star’s “3rd” and Neil Young’s “Tonight’s The Night” - a true existential masterpiece. I’ve seen the band twice live - the first time was at the SFX in Dublin in August 1997 (almost 25 years ago!). It was the greatest gig I’ve ever been too - my jaw hit the floor, they played almost all of “A Northern Soul” live! Unbelievably good. Nick MaCabe is a genius, but so were the rest of the band. I also saw them about 9 years later in Belfast and they were almost as good as the first time I saw them. That 4th album is great too. Some of Richard’s solo stuff is incredible as well. Looking forward to your review of ANS.

[@aequanimitas]

I always love the glasses and how they so perfectly and effortlessly match the chosen outfit. I spent a while trying on different sunglasses and asking my loved ones if they looked alright on me, every time the answer I got was "errr, no" and thus I find myself getting jealous.

[@rangerwhite5165]

Urban Hymns is a brilliant album. Met him briefly in Belfast, a few years ago. He was carrying a football, as he'd just been to visit George Bests house. He was with his wife. He's really tall and thin. Me and my mate didn't want to bother him, so had a quick chat and he went on his way. We were contemplating bumping into him like in the BSS video, but we bottled it. lol.

[@joelfildes5544]

He ain’t tall…but he IS thin.

[@flucazade]

The Verve are so good, actually the whole 90s british rock music was so darn good

[@trevorhunton7526]

Was it? I must have missed that bit.

[@Yttiwgnihtemos]

@@trevorhunton7526 Blur, oasis and the verve made some great albums that will be listened to for time immemorial.

[@MrOasis316]

@@trevorhunton7526 shame some of the best albums ever came from that time. Urban Hims, definitely maybe, what’s the story morning glory, the bends, ok computer, parklife, and 13, just to get you started if you wanna check them out. Much more great albums though that I have left out.

[@trevorhunton7526]

@@MrOasis316 best albums ever is your opinion, it certainly isn't mine. Born in the fifties, child of the sixties, teenager in the seventies when all the best albums were released.

[@thechunkyone7118]

How rude what about manic Street Preachers , OCS, cast and Mike flowers who in my option sings the far superior version of wonderwall

[@deansheppard7630]

History will always be one of my favourite songs. Hits me right in the heart every time.

[@marksaunders448]

I agree with you, Justin. Verve, as they were known when I first saw them live in 1992 without the “The”, were fantastic. They were my favourite band of the 90s and I saw them live several times in their early days- Brixton Academy, Camden Town Hall, Old Trout Windsor, New Cross Venue and then eventually Glastonbury and Earls Court. Storm in Heaven - just wow, my favourite album of theirs. Northern Soul - also great. I like Urban Hymns too, but they drifted away from their shoegazing psychedelic style of before and became much more commercial. Forth - some good stuff here too, but again more radio-suitable stuff and less raw than their more exciting earlier stuff. Favourite songs? “The Sun, the Sea” and “Life’s an Ocean”. Least favourite - sorry, “Bittersweet Symphony”.

[@fullbeans983]

The "sounds that recognize the pain in me" line always resonant since I first heard it. I feel like that one line sums up everything about RA/verve. Nothing quite cleanses the mind like listening to the whole of Northern Soul and Urban Hymns back to back.

[@DexterDexter123]

Verve on tour with Smashing Pumpkins - had never seen them before. Life changing support band. ‘92. What a band. Along with Radiohead at the time releasing loads of great b-sides New Decade is the tune on that album, yes. Slide Away and Star Sail on first. Bitter Suite and Weeping Willow. 3rd. Nothing after that. McCabe.

[@theoutlawdekepatton]

I think when Klein died a few years ago Jagger and Richards inherited the rights to Bitter Sweet Symphony and they in turn passed them on to Ashcroft so he now has full rights to that song.

[@alexjenner1108]

9:51 "outsider rock, but with violins." Great song and I'm sure I have the album here somewhere.

[@chadleschasin2893]

It’s a crime that Nick Mcabe gets no producers credit on Urban Hymns , it’s clear if he hadn’t come back and completed it we probably wouldn’t remember the album the same way.

[@chrisNJLiverpool]

1000%. Pretty sure the DJ shadow-Esque drums on BSS are a McCabe idea given his love of electronic music. He is the reason that album has psychedelic and experimental touches… otherwise it would sounded like that RA acoustic album (fine songs, but a bit boring).

[@earache70]

I love that you dig A Northern Soul. I've always loved that one and thought it to be tragically underrated. Bitter Sweet is also, such a great track for all the reasons you mentioned, but that drum loop, man...(is it the drummer looped? Sounds like it to me)...how the snare fill draaaags it so far back every time ... So, good.

[@rizzledizzle9801]

Great album, stormy clouds, this is music, the bsides are great too, theres a beautiful song called you and me, reminds me of my brother, great music

[@nixmoretta13]

Richard Ashcroft (former Verve) is a phenomenally talented singer/songwriter in his own right, thank you for highlighting! They didn’t need any further success from a group perspective, as what they created in a short period of time, has longevity and a deeper resonance.

[@NikoFrederiko.]

Love the variation on the outro, where you held the last sung note, and meandered on the downward tag, even including the flat two, spicy indeed.

[@JCBuni]

Would be interested to hear your breakdown of his song “they don’t own me.” A favorite and what a vocal performance!! Love yer vids! Thanks from Beantown.

[@thedearjohnpenfriendsociet6997]

Great timing with this one, only last week I was driving down the M5 and revisited A Northern Soul, great album. Look forward to your show on that one. All the best Justin!

[@TomWright91]

Love the videos Justin. I would love to see you and Rick Beato team up on a video. 2 of my favourite KZbinrs.

[@christopherweise438]

Mine as well.....but i prefer my Justin Hawkins videos pure and uncut. They each do their own thing so well. I don't know if we need a cross pollination IMO.

[@artpereira]

The Verve is ALSO one of my favourite bands! So glad I am not alone in this. And yes, "A Northern Soul" is great! Love them too.

[@rizzledizzle9801]

Thanks big j(justin) for shining a light on their earlier work, i love a northern soul too, "i was buying some feelings, from a vending machine" xo

[@nongmar8783]

I was lucky to see them in NYC when they reunited. One of my favorite bands ,amazing live.

[@heavymetal116]

The Verve has so many great songs other than "Bittersweet Symphony" that got overlooked!!

[@wallsgreebo8352]

Probably my favourite band of all time. Incredible musicians.

[@tangydoink]

Growing up in the late 90s this song was incredibly important to me. I was very young and didn't quite realize how incredible this song was, but there is clearly something special about it as it stuck with me as I grew up and my tastes in music grew. It's never left my rotation and I still get goosebumps when I hear it. This song lives happily in my top 10 of all time

[@shawninwards3685]

Love that you got into the brilliance of The Verve. They remained pretty underground here in Canada, though I managed to see them 3 times in support of each album. The first was at the side stage of Lollapalooza after the release of Storm. Although I see how they got lumped in with Brit Pop, I found they had a bit more depth. I think that really came through in the live shows. McCabe had a real knack for creating such understated delicious little ambient bits, as one would discover with a proper headphone listen to any of the recordings. The band as a whole was such an entity. Simon Jones and Pete Salisbury created such a solid groove beneath it all. So many cherished tracks beyond Bittersweet. I really enjoy your channel. Lurking beneath every musician is a rabid music fan.

[@glengamble526]

As a professional musician, this was the most ridiculous copyright-infringement suits I ever heard of. First of all, it wasn’t even lifted from the actually Stones track-it was symphonic cover version, produced by their manager Andrew Oldham. And the section copied and looped for BS isn’t even an ACTUAL CHORD PROGRESSION that was used in the Stones writing. The arranger added these chords. Yet, Jagger-Richards got paid. Crazy.

[@minners71]

Jagger and Richards never got a penny and had nothing to do with the copyright claim,it was their manager.

[@glengamble526]

@@minners71 wrong. They DID get paid…but eventually gave back their share (which was cool of them) but it was long after the songs moment in the sun. Keith and Mick made a lot of money off of this-and then did the right thing and dropped their pursuit of it. And no it wasn’t their manager whom originally pursued it-it was their publishing company. Know your facts before you challenge me.

[@badlefthook624]

Also the original was lifted from the staples singers so the irony is off the scale. Kline was a cockroach.

[@stef2432]

This song is my driving lessons and licence. Still feel the same sensation of putting the first gear and get the car moving between clutch and accelerator. The Verve on the radio.

[@sarahdenyer5423]

I was only 7 when this came out but I absolutely fell in love with it. I used to go to the local WHSmith and their cd section which had a copy you could listen to and I’d listen to bittersweet symphony every time we went to town. Such a tune. One of my faves ever

[@Jj-ff9vq]

Went to school with the bass player Jones in Liverpool. I can distinctly recall me playing my bass in 6th form, because I was going to be the next Rick Savage back then....the lad must have already been on his way with the band think he was just moving to Wigan or had...and he was asking how I did this and that on it....and he was obviously just having a chuckle. Well done to you Sir. Well done.

[@gregizzo4191]

I know both songs and love them both. I NEVER thought of one while listening to the other. Also, I love that your ringtone on your phone is Communication Breakdown!

[@markyp1965]

‘Urban Hymns’ remains one of my all time favourite albums. I actually listened to it this morning on the way to the forest to go biking.

[@purplereigninblood]

Justin let's get some food and casually bump into everyone on the way , love this. I wore this album out back in the day. Thanks

[@nkirk8740]

Another great video, the Verve, another band I've never been into, there you go but interesting non the less, thanks Justin. 👍👍👍👊✌️.

[@sltillim]

While you were riffing on the melody I heard Madonna “don’t tell me” spot on. Don’t tell the stones….

[@andrewlast1535]

I just listened to “Life’s An Ocean” from that riff in the beginning. Amazing song. We didn’t have the exposure to the Verve in the US besides that one hit. Please do more of these deep cuts or maybe a playlist? I know my Spotify has gotten pretty stale? That music theory ear helps me skip through a lot of nonsense to find good music. Thank you.

[@christomsharpe]

Really nailed the “like/sub” spiel there, like a terms and conditions bit at the end of a radio advert. Slick, proper KZbinr these days 👍

[@TheLetterZ]

Ayy sick glasses and shirt combo today Justin!

[@brendanjordan6780]

Bought the first Verve tune All in the Mind on 12" loved them ever since. Ashcroft is a generational talent.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Such a top band back in the day. The drugs don’t work was an epic song which I am sure he wrote about his mother when she passed. They should have got more success then they did which is a real shame.

[@71771PAULTHEWALLOFSOUND]

They had some great tracks, real lyrics that meant something. "The drugs don't work" was especially one that had food for thought, as normally anyone taking drugs never really understands what it does to those around you, who love you.

[@LongtownLee]

The song was written about his mother being sick in hospital. Nothing to do with recreational or hard drug use.

[@rcookie420]

@@LongtownLee that’s the great thing about the song, many meanings, I don’t think this one has ever been said to be true. He said himself in an IV in ‘95 it was about taking drugs. Was also attributed, perhaps by fans searching for the meaning, to his father who died when he was young. Also attributed to his wife’s father in law passing. All a quick google search away. Seems the only meaning Richard himself gave was that in was in fact about taking drugs. But hey that’s the beauty of music, it can mean whatever you want it to mean and what feels right to you

[@rizzledizzle9801]

Have u got any drugs?

[@71771PAULTHEWALLOFSOUND]

@Macavity Then why isn't he saying that documented?

[@71771PAULTHEWALLOFSOUND]

@Macavity "Tory" wtf has politics got to do with it lmao. Show me a link of him stating this then? Shouldn't be hard mate.

[@mrn8645]

The strings were the icing on the cake, so to speak. They were arranged by Will Malone, who also arranged the strings on Massive Attack's Unfinished Sympathy.

[@geraintjones6401]

Seeing The Verve play at Slane Castle (in '98 I think) was a big highlight for me. Bittersweet Symphony and Lucky Man were proper goosebump moments. Awesome band! Cheers Justin.

[@Sam-EliteLifestyle]

There are two versions of this video, one where is gets beating up by a gang, and then gets up and continues walking

[@retrofuturistuk6060]

Hi Justin. Love the channel. Your voice is necessary and refreshing amongst the current malaise of modern music media. As someone who has always struggled with substance abuse and sobriety in general I'd love to hear your story if you are willing to share. In the context of creativity and your own creative process I'd be very interested to hear how 'clean living' has affected your approach to writing music. Load of love and respect brother x

[@wormbaby666]

Yes! Yes please! Do a breakdown of A Northern Soul! It's always about Bittersweet Symphony when The Verve comes up (or Lucky Man or, Sonnet) but that album kicks SO much ass! :)

[@noblestsavage1742]

It really is a bittersweet symphony! A northern soul is brilliant, I always felt that history ( personally I think their best) foreshadowed bittersweet symphony.

[@FilthyTheDog1]

A Northern Soul was the soundtrack to my early to mid twenties and consequently holds and always will hold a special place in my heart, more so than Urban Hymns or any other album from that era ever did.. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who holds it in such high esteem.

[@BarbaraAntoinetteVeronica]

Cool look, Justin. Great blue jacket & matching sunglasses. Funny I haven't bought exercise suit because any I've seen were in gawdy colors. Sorry not subject of discussion, so yes I remember this song. Nice. It always reminds me of walking. I used to walk 8 miles a week before I injured my meniscus. Did extensive physical therapy & was able to avoid surgery for 4 years now 😊

[@MegaSting1981]

11:19 Cheeky bit of Zep?! Love it Justin my man x

[@bradleygreen8902]

I love Ashcroft. Saw him last year. What a voice!

[@EdCollects]

Have you ever discussed the similarities between Is It Just Me and Fun Fun Fun by the Beach Boys? I'm a big fan by the way. I've seen you live twice and I loved every second of it.

[@uremawifenowdave]

I saw them play King Tut’s in 1993 to support ”Storm in Heaven” and their first EP. I spoke to their DJ who,was accompanying them and he said they were subsisting on next to know food and copious amounts of drugs. I, allegedly, sold them a massive amount of ‘snowball’ ecstasies that evening. Good times.

[@aprilkurtz1589]

Love 'Life's an Ocean.' It's always been my favorite song of theirs. Have to say I prefer your vocal, though.

[@moreheff]

Made me chuckle that Justin's ringtone is the intro to Communication Breakdown!! ;-)

[@pricey6177]

Such a great song, i also love Lucky Man. I had no idea about the controversy surrounding this song. Thanks Justin. I do remember though back in school not many people knew of The Verve and then when this song hit the radio they blew up and then they got a 2nd wave when the movie Cruel Intentions was released

[@libertard6101]

Yeah Justin 🤙🏽…. Thanks. Richard has gone on to do great solo stuff ( like 7 albums) after verve and there reunion album “ fourth was great …..love is noise and. Sit and wonder!!! But some beautiful solo stuff. The journey, lonely soul…. Still think “ song for lovers “ was epic …. Thanks again JH

[@nkonig1]

Love The Verve and RA. One of my favourite bands/artists of all time.