Richard Ashcroft - The Verve - Urban Hymns interview 1997

[@MaxiZamac]

You can tell how much he loves music, just by hearing his true words.

[@vanman757]

Oh yeah... They where all proper muso's before even being in a band together....

[@Ethericrose]

Urban Hymms has effected my life on many many levels for many many years.

[@vanman757]

Same my friend, same... 👍🏻🙏🏻👌🏻😎

[@samuelwhite6529]

Hasn't affected your spelling ability

[@_MR.platinum]

The verve came to me in a dark time in my life and the beauty I felt in the music helped get through that dark period and I’ve been a huge fan of sir Richard ever since

[@matthewbiggin9887]

The greatest songwriter of the Britpop era

[@Mctrippzy]

Without a shadow of a doubt. Pure genius 🇬🇧

[@MarcoGosatti43]

Nope. Radiohead were with The Bends in the Britpop era.

[@bobsbigboy_]

@@MarcoGosatti43 lmao radiohead sucks

[@MarcoGosatti43]

@@bobsbigboy_ So's this comment, but there you go Lol

[@michaelgraham9774]

​@@MarcoGosatti43Radiohead really doesn't fit in with the Britpop movement. They're something else entirely

[@arieledlucena7372]

When he says that is not about the money but about the music which is bigger than him or the big guys, is for the people! I really love this man! ❤️❤️❤️

[@miller8124u]

Me too. Me too!

[@dressedinbeans2360]

Quote from an interview in March 2000: ‘I had a dream," says Richard Ashcroft. "It was just the other night. This voice told me everything would be all right when I was 50. And I woke up going (clasps head in terror, bawls), 'Fifty?!'" He will be 50 in September, and everything is all right!

[@andygorman688]

Such an amazing song writer. Unfortunately commercial music has poisoned the masses. There are no rock n roll bands now that can make me feel the way that album does.

[@erinlarkin6469]

There's an upcoming band called Our Propaganda from Southampton. Check them out on Facebook, and KZbin. They might make you feel something. They made me feel

[@generiixvenom5291]

Just you wait

[@user-vh6ts9uf6c]

Including his pretty dreadful solo performances

[@andygorman688]

@@user-vh6ts9uf6c yeah tbf there have been some shockers

[@user-vh6ts9uf6c]

@@andygorman688 But together - they are amazing. Very strange. Saw them live twice in 2008 - best gig I have ever been to. Also saw Richard Ashcroft in 2000 - and it was pretty lame, sadly.

[@mckayman24]

i sit here in the bush, drinking, all his songs are just radiating and echoing through my mind, sad but magical it is

[@Jimmywilliams_]

I was 17 when I watched this.. i still think about this interview once a week

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

I was 17 too. Been onto the verve since about 1994. One of the best bands uk have

[@d.tim1989]

Best album I’ve ever heard, Urban Hymns will take you through every emotion.

[@MrG77]

Love Richard, one of the best singer/songwriters we have had. Urban Hymns was the soundtrack to my 20s. His solo stuff is brilliant aswell.🙏

[@michaelgregos2743]

This is interesting. He does allude to the verve having a future, but somewhere along the way he changed his mind. No question he was the star in the band and I can understand his desire to go it alone, he was at the top of his game, supremely confident. All this band needed was 2-3 years between albums in order for time to heal their issues and in between they could do their solo stuff. Looking back killing the band off completely did not make sense. They had a unique ability to merge different influences and they were just getting better at it. Real shame the world was deprived from seeing this band evolve.

[@sheetaldhruva6886]

Yes, I think they threw out the baby with the bathwater when they went their separate ways. I really would love for them to get back together but don't see it happening.

[@rygdoomed442]

They made Forth in 2008

[@badgasaurus4211]

Nick McCabe was needed to make the songs special. Ashcroft’s solo stuff isn’t a patch on what was done with the verve for that reason. The unofficually released songs for urban hyms are better than what was actually put on the record (bar the singles).

[@vanman757]

Yeah man... Too true

[@c0rxpseb0i13]

I give them respect for keeping bittersweet on the record even if they didn’t make a single penny from it it shows there in it for the music not just the money

[@paul66990]

Their biggest hit was a rip off 🎉.

[@lappo2534]

It's called a sample you COVIDIOT

[@EMPANAO321]

​@@paul66990it isn't a rip off, it might be their biggest hit but not their best song

[@faaaduma6876]

Great interview. Wish I could go back to this era that is full of passion & beauty😌🙌

[@jgreen6434]

This was great watching. I remember seeing it back when it first aired in ‘97. Here in America very few people realize how amazing this band really was. They know Bittersweet, but they don’t know Urban Hymns is one of the best records of the past few decades. From start to finish that album, in my opinion, is close to perfection

[@quinnlane7257]

I really believe that a storm in heaven was way ahead of it's time.

[@craigsanderson4330]

And you did Ashcroft, you made that record, soundtrack of my youth, I thank you for that.

[@Geo_Babe]

Oh this is such a hidden gem of a clip. I remember first seeing this on MTV back in late 97... My god. Still one of the greatest bands that ever was. Nothing better than them came after in my opinion. Legends. x to this day

[@mckayman24]

it just amazes me how well he speaks and how well he is able to articulate his thoughts, and how a song of his connects to each person in a different way, and that’s what’s happened to me. So we are all part of his reality , magical

[@vanman757]

I remember watching this on telly at the time of filming... One of his best interviews & he's said a lot of wise, articulate & profound things in many/most of his interviews....

[@enlightenednormie242]

i'm a lifelong fan of this band; Totally awesome!!!!

[@jasonperry6212]

It's sad. The music they made was amazing. So sad that they didn't continue...

[@daveypayne5988]

it's still amazing. legacy. love and despair hope and sorrow. it's still there. resonating to this day

[@foolsgoldhelterskelter3917]

Had to happen mate, chaos made their music beautiful

[@sheetaldhruva6886]

Agree the legacy of their music is timeless. What amazes me, what I am in awe of is the fact they created this kind of music in their twenties. I know I would not have appreciated it at that age myself. Even if it was drug induced still it's deep spiritual/real lyrics and music that makes an emotional connection with the listener.

[@ashdez1173]

Urban hymns album really amazed me and made me feel certain emotions that I never thought I would feel.....FEELINGS....

[@frommetoyou1981]

4 great albums. Its good enough.

[@lordsabre66]

the verve made songs that a 19 year old black guy from South Africa with no rock nuance at all, could relate to.

[@rainbowrose9299]

I love listening to this dude, awesome 👌

[@ComplicatedCupcake]

The Verve hit the soul strings like no other band ❤

[@ashdez1173]

Well said Richard.....love The Verve....always...

[@blancamatamoros]

I'm a lifelong fan of this band; I love it the interview. ❤

[@brenitez1971]

The BEST British band the cooolest lead singer and a man that doesn't pretend

[@matthew-thomasplant3542]

True artist. What a bloke

[@joefalcino5635]

i think he is one of the genius musician

[@noelnasty]

Absolutely the best song writer of all time, love Richard and his solo stuff. 🌞

[@djc1234]

I've said it before and I'll say it again; had The Verve just taken another long-ish break from each other, like they had before, they would have gone on to worldwide fame. They're the epitome of a band where each member needed the other to bring out their own greatness. Sad.

[@thegoodsgone1965]

They definitely achieved worldwide fame.

[@teripettit6254]

Genius! Music is Power!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the VERVE.....

[@mckayman24]

the verve has at least 3-5 albums that are just pure bliss, never found a band like them… ❤

[@sigfriedtarraga377]

liam gallagher + noel gallagher = richard ashcroft, all in one, talented and coolness, the biggest musician of the 90

[@Fmfcg]

Richard reminds me a lot of Syd Barrett on the early days of Pink Floyd

[@Ethericrose]

Richard is in a league of his own.

[@michaelgraham9774]

Richard is his own entity. Comparing him to the Gallaghers is selling him so short.

[@sratus]

@@Fmfcg I have no idea why

[@oasis3583]

Brilliant way of putting it!

[@Jimmywilliams_]

“ we’re making music not cheese burgers”

[@GeorgeIllustrations]

27 years already? Jesus, why it seem so far in the past, yet so recent?😢

[@rudyblankert1269]

Sir Richard! Such a wise and unique person

[@rudyblankert1269]

What indeed this is such a great album! I have always loved it and still do… Like Richard said, it mixes all kinds of music styles and I now know that’s what I recognize in it and why it’s such a great album as it is

[@zoefirth]

The last rock n roller, a man with integrity. It doesn't exist in the music industry anymore. He stood by his words, through and through.

[@albertnash888]

It’s too bad most countries only know the Verve for “Bittersweet Symphony”, but they did play a major role in the 90s British Invasion. Only time will tell if they will reunite again. We still are dying for a reunion of their good friends Oasis.

[@thaniaespinoza9172]

I like him so much i wish i can setle with a guy like him♥️

[@badlefthook624]

Ashcroft frequently talked about the verve and their music connecting with the people back in the day. I can honestly say that no music has ever connected with me like the verve. I lived and breathed the verve. Still do. Unbelievable band. Sounds cringe, but I idolised Ashcroft and would hang on his every word when I was a teenager. Urban hymns (not every verve fans favourite) was/is the soundtrack to my youth....probably my life.

[@vanman757]

He was being VERY gracious about the "Bitter Sweet Symphony" situation though, wasn't he ?..

[@Fig8907]

For someone who's known for having an ego twice the size of Venus, Richard comes off very soft-spoken and down to earth in this interview.

[@junef73]

Here in January 2025... what an incredible voice.

[@maxwelter9545]

He has no idea what an iconic Rock God he is which makes him even cooler.

[@sratus]

Strange take that you think that, his ego is enormous

[@akirafelix3865]

@@sratus yeah, kinda weird that he thinks that. One of my favourites things of Ashcroft is his ego, he can deliver, he can be as arrogant as he wishes.

[@tweetings]

Love him in this interview. Prefer him when all his greatness is grounded.

[@letiziazappetti7868]

Une légende.une pépite ❤❤❤

[@foolsgoldhelterskelter3917]

i fuckin' love him

[@Iceis_Phoenix]

He is so beautiful 💗💗💗

[@samansiddiquie1902]

He’s so profound

[@omnitrio2313]

One of my favourite bands of all time & one of the best song writers that we've ever produced... And that's saying something, considering the talent that's came out of Britain... I remember when Urban Hymn's came out & there wasn't a house that I went to, that didn't have that album in their C.D. collection... I also love his solo effort's... He was/is a deep soul... Nick McCabe's guitar sound was brilliant, too... I used to love Pete Salisbury on drum's, also... For that matter, just the whole band where something else & there'll never be another band like them... Throw, The Rolling People, or Come On, on when you're bevvied... Such song's are brilliant to rock out to, when you're pissed... Ha... Bad, the way they got scammed with the royalty's, on Bitter Sweet Symphony... They got to keep 0% of the proceed's... I'd be pissed off, too...

[@mckayman24]

i love how his eyebrows/forehead shadow his eyes…

[@stuartlee8519]

He's still got his jacket on out of the video ..he was probably still broke when he did this interview. .its from 97 I think. .

[@jellyfish0311]

@Steven Lyndsey he means still as in, at the time of the video

[@jellyfish0311]

@Steven Lyndsey oh 😅

[@Nickecho7979]

Dudes bone structure is like something from a comic book

[@leaks2.073]

I love this guy.

[@Nunyabuisness80]

The Verve were so underrated in the very beginning. A storm in heaven is a masterpiece and for them to make 3 records before people finally realised they were the real deal annoys me to this day. They were miles better than alot of bands that gained instant success. I just watched there 98 gig live in Wigan and it's one of the best gigs you could ever watch.

[@satsatdown]

best music video ever

[@OutkastedRadikal]

How prophetic

[@miller8124u]

It pisses me off that you were ripped off!!!!! But, you have created the greatest song and video of the decade. The world thanks you more than you can ever imagen!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@repiercedve1l]

this isnt Richard's KZbin account

[@Kev80ification]

Richard = Legend

[@robwelsh5070]

Legends. The end.

[@pasqualemaiello7931]

the great band in the world!!!

[@ratatat363]

He's right and hopefully we get him at oasis 25 🙏

[@pagavazaliko]

Best Richard !

[@Joerideout1]

How to be a peak band you have to follow this by utterly owning your era. Come on young people, please do something worthy!

[@Zeekski]

Ha … The Verve absolutely obliterate oasis …. And I’m a massive oasis fan ….

[@conormccolgan4758]

No they fucking don’t, two of the best bands of all time though.

[@roomark2]

They do though​@@conormccolgan4758

[@bend7777]

Great band. Ashcroft is a genius but McCabe is a Legend in his own right.

[@temuujinenkhbat3013]

I'm a fan of the Mongolian listener Oasis The verve, a wonderful band

[@michaelmi1393]

Einer der letzten richtigen rockstars

[@dontbenosey1]

9:18 music is power.

[@DMac-co5md]

Urban hyms helped me come off of 90ml of methadone, 2months of withdrawals.

[@scottmarks2979]

Hope it worked out

[@ДабОчиров]

Brilliant

[@MissPerriwinkle]

him so friggin hot !!!!!!!!!!!

[@selinakyle2368]

It boggles my mind that people say that he is ugly.

[@mine579]

I never even knew it sounded like anything like the Rolling Stones.

[@grahamjarman]

Mine its a string orchestra performing an instrumental version of "the last time" by the stones that was used

[@yenthari]

The song by the rolling stones isn't even original song from them, which is even more bizzar

[@satsatdown]

best front man of the 90s

[@PGomes-wo9is]

Peter hayes look like and sounds like him, which is badass...

[@deletist_]

"So Sod It!" ✨🤟👁️❤️‍🔥👁️🤘✨

[@sigfriedtarraga377]

bittersweet simphony is the verve, doesn't matter what rolling stones says

[@alexcox7357]

Ahead of his time

[@daisybaker8528]

Hes wearing the same leather jacket in the vid ha

[@cinemar]

Those are some shoulder pads.

[@lidiaquinillo7657]

maybe the bleedn stones want royalties to the haircuts too.....

[@silvanamunoz3119]

😎😍😘🤗

[@ciaranmurphy9513]

I’m a huge fan of the verve but pause to consider Ashcroft solo output - the verve would have layered over that and those tunes. And let’s be honest some of it is shite. No doubt there would have been good tunes if they stayed together but it’s a myth that they’d have ever bettered UH.

[@Gabriel-zk9gb]

If you listen to the unreleased tracks for the next album I'd say they come pretty close to urban hymns

[@mikedavis9244]

5:58 a Rolling Stones "string sample".....really??? More like they lifted the entire Oldham arrangement which makes up 80% of Bittersweet Symphony. Essentially, Ashcroft added one note to the string arrangement and vocals.

[@quagmiretv2514]

Bullshit The Stones' manager ripped off Richard and got away with it

[@t8br00k36]

Picture a pie losing a quarter of its face and falling over

[@finckel2682]

The Verve literally made the 1990s sound like the 1960s.

[@bobsbigboy_]

BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE

[@justkids2373]

wow. 7:22

[@Wallopfam]

Biblical

[@حازمالرفاعي-ك5ر]

dont take adrugs

[@vanman757]

Don't talk ashit...

[@bend7777]

Great band. Ashcroft is a genius but McCabe is a Legend in his own right.