Singer Created a Lush, Sonic MASTERPIECE...Then NEVER Made a Cent Off of It! | Professor Of Rock

Signed away under extreme duress, Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve the 1997 massive British hit was stolen right from under its writer Richard Ashcroft’s nose, all thanks to an obscure sample of a classic rock track. Forced to give up 100% of his royalties and credit two songwriters who had nothing to do with the song’s composition... I’m telling you, this was a coup contrived by a true musical mob boss... And one of the most outrageous music industry injustices on record. Filled with cutthroat contracts and shady characters, today’s episode will have you rooting for the underdog to win back what was rightfully his. Find out if he does… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
Get Sammy Hagar Professor of Rock Live TIX here: www.showpass.c...
Thank you to this Episodes Sponsor, Zenni Optical
Incredible Prices on New Glasses - bit.ly/ZenniOp...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out my Hand Picked Selection Below
Professor's Store
- The 80s Collection amzn.to/3mAekOq
- 100 Best Selling Albums amzn.to/3h3qZX9
- Ultimate History of 80s Teen Movie amzn.to/3ifjdKQ
- 80s to 90s VHS Video Cover Art amzn.to/2QXzmIX
- Totally Awesome 80s A Lexicon amzn.to/3h4ilrk
- Best In Ear Headphones (I Use These Every Day) amzn.to/2ZcTlIl
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Producer:
Brandon Fugal
Honorary Producers
Em Bee, Paul Moore II, Tee Atwell, Mike Millet, Mark Thompson, fakeaorta, Eric Farque, Jared Norris, Peter Kim, Moon Comix, Jacob Flores, Walter O. Wright II, Zachery Perry
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Out The Professor of Rock Merch Store - bit.ly/Professo...
Access To Backstage Content
Become a Patron - bit.ly/Professo...
Help out the Channel by purchasing your albums through our links! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you, thank you for your support.
Click here for Premium Content: bit.ly/SignUpF...
bit.ly/Faceboo...
bit.ly/Instagr...
#1990s #rock #vinylstory
Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If Schoolhouse Rock was part of your formal education, you’ll dig this channel Nostalgia from the 60s, 70s 80s and 90s with interviews with the legends, make sure to subscribe below right now. I promise that you are going to love this channel. Check us out on patreon for even more content and to become an insider.
Guess what! It’s time for another edition of our series Bottled Lightening where we celebrate a song or album that was king for a day. Here we honor artists and bands that rocketed up the charts… but for various reasons weren’t able to sustain that success. Called by some ‘one hit wonders’, we celebrate them as lightning in a bottle. On previous episodes we have covered 99 Luftballons by Nena, The Promise by When in Rome, and No Rain by Blind Melon. But for today’s entry, we are going behind one of the greatest song of the last 30 years. Ya know Every now and again, you hear a song for the first time and it’s perfect balance of breath taking music and thought provoking poetry immediately envelop your senses and the song goes so deep it is in your blood and inspires you to look at the world through new eyes. Today we solve the intricate mysteries of Bitter Sweet Symphony by British indie rockers, The Verve.
But before that, let’s rewind to October 1995 when a new British import officially reached the shores of the US. Oasis’ acclaimed album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?This band and their album would capture America’s full attention as the early 90s so-called grunge sound started to die down. Oasis, and contemporaries like Blur, Suede, and Pulp were all part of a growing, uniquely British sound, that was coined Britpop. Certainly, much brighter than Nirvana or Pearl Jam, Britpop also emphasized, well, Britishness.
For many Americans, Oasis were the flagbearers of the movement. But there were several other Britpop bands and songs that found had success in the States.
The aforementioned Blur released Song 2 in April ‘97. That reached #6 on the US Alternative chart. Elastica’s ‘Connection’ reached #2 on the same chart in October ‘94. And Republica’s 1996 release ‘Ready to Go’ reached #7. However it seemed, by 1997, Britpop was running out of steam. Even Oasis’ follow-up album Be Here Now, couldn’t keep the party going for long. But for Americans and listeners around the world, there would be at least one more signature entry into the Britpop canon… the crown jewel of the movment Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the greatest use of a sample in the history of popular music?

[@killrmillr]

Jamie's Cryin' in Tone Loc's Wild Thing

[@tomWRX]

Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby! He got away with it, I believe.

[@stephenbrown4211]

Edge of Seventeen - Bootylicious Thank You - Stan

[@martineldritch]

A personal favorite is the BB King sample in the Primitive Radio Gods "Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth"

[@Five_by_Five9340]

My favorite is Flo Rida sampling “You Spin Me Right Round” by Dead or Alive. Also some great Michael Jackson samples in multiple modern pop hits.

[@geoffstrickler]

It’s a masterpiece, and how ABCO handled it was one of the worst abuses of copyright in history.

[@baneverything5580]

I should have become a hitman and tracked these vampires down.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s so sad how this came down.

[@livdamnit6998]

Unbelievable! This song is just everything. The clunky rock sound and the swooning symphony made a beautiful but wrenching melancholy song. I can't believe how these guys got so screwed.

[@Levi_Amongst_the_Watchers]

I love this song and it's very deep. Even the video has meaning. His walk is a representation of the path of life, the people he encounters are the people and events that we encounter through our lives. The guy with the fridge on a dolly is like a big life altering event that was narrowly avoided. The people he bumped into are the little speed bumps that help shape our lives. The girl in the car is a bad relationship, the car is the large event that he was able to cross and move on from but she didn't move on as easily and followed representing how a love can effect your life long term even after it's ended. The lady he knocked down was like an encounter where he hurt someone else's life in some way and he was recognizing that but still life continues without looking back. The girl that checked him out was like a perfect fling that came and went and left only a fond memory. The car that actually made him pause was a major life event that held him in place for a while, maybe good maybe bad but significant enough to make his life take pause but in the end it too did pass and life continued as always. And the end when the other four followed with him is like the people in your life who are there for the long haul whoever they may be they stick with you till the end while still living their lives respectively.

[@WilliamSilva-dq6zj]

Well said..; )

[@Levi_Amongst_the_Watchers]

@@WilliamSilva-dq6zj Thank you.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

You nailed it.

[@Levi_Amongst_the_Watchers]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Thank you.

[@mrhaltonok]

Plus it’s a gorgeous riff on the video for Massive Attacks Unfinished Symphony. Ashcroft was always one for taking something he loved and making it better - this music video seemed like the epitome of Verve and how their mindset worked in many ways.

[@munkami]

Thanks for covering so well. The Verve were one of many bands that saved me in my teens. And when I found out Richard had lost his father too, it became much more poignant. After losing my own Dad to cancer in 1991, aged 12, the grunge movement arrived at the perfect time to soothe the darkness. But the Verve took it to another level. The song was unbeaten in the indie world for years after.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That was super sad! One of my grandparents died before I was born due to cancer complications. My parents were grieving for a long time about it.

[@munkami]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Ahh, thanks for sharing that. I think Ashcroft helped me by talking about his loss publically. I remember him once saying that, when it happened he realized 'it's not going to be Disneyland from here on'. And that helped me make sense of what I was experiencing. Especially as most of the family had gone so it was just me, my sister and Mom left to struggle on. Ashcroft should know that his music genuinely saved me!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@munkami A lot of artists make it feel like they understand what you’re going through, and I really appreciate that.

[@impactfoto]

Thanks to both of you for sharing, Mike and Lilly. I never had that much of a connection with the song, and knew nothing about its backstory or Richard's losing his dad, but I remember having much the same 'Disneyland' thought after losing my Mom to cancer in '95. I was quite a bit older, almost 30, but since it was the first time I had lost someone so close and important, and it was awfully unfair because of how relatively young she was, it really felt like a 'coming of age' moment for me. I was always closest with my mom, and it was a huge change to my life and perspective from that point forward. Strange to think that in 6 years I'll be as old as she ever was. I'm glad the song gave you some comfort, Mike. I'm sure I'll have a new appreciation for it going forward.

[@munkami]

@@impactfoto also do check out his songs from The Verve album 'A Northern Soul' such as 'On your own' felt very soothing. Also 'Drugs don't work' from Ubran Hymns album. Both Verve records are very deep.

[@ballhawk387]

I could put this on a loop and listen to it for hours. When I heard how they got screwed out of *all* the royalties, I thought it was absolutely ridiculous, because the song was *nothing* without the beat, vocals, and lyrics. Glad to hear Mick and Keith had some integrity in the end, after Ashcroft took the high road all along.

[@Part-Time-Pope]

This song aged well for me. I didn't care for it when released, but it was an undeniable success and dude deserves his money.

[@solelsoleil3869]

According to Wikipedia, in 2019, Ashcroft announced that Jagger and Richards got their names dropped from the writing credit so now Ashcroft could collect all the royalties as sole songwriter.

[@mizginavale22]

This song has expertly used at the ending scene of the movie "Cruel Intentions". The song evokes a transcendental feeling, as if you are experiencing life from a higher ground. I didn't know about the situation behind the release of this song. This is why this channel is one of my favorites. There is so much you learn about artists and their music, right here.

[@risenfromyoutubesashesagai6302]

Yea, and check out the credits of that movie, and see what it says when it shows Bittersweet Symphony.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It lifts you up out of darker times and makes you want to fly.

[@TGnPBullet]

This is one of my all time favorite tunes. I had no idea the drama behind the scenes but glad it had a happy ending. Absolutely loved your retelling of the story, Prof!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It lifts you up in troubled times.

[@RandomPerson-su3xg]

The extended version is a masterpiece. Sends goosebumps up and down, putting me in a euphoric state. Very few songs have been able to do that or anything outside of music itself.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I remember my local radio played the extended version all the time and I was absolutely mesmerized. It would be such a calming experience for me.

[@trinaq]

This song is one of the most iconic 90's British anthems. If you really listen to the lyrics, they examine the drudgery of living a 9 to 5 life, and the dangers of materialism. Richard Ashcroft's father apparently worked a dissatisfying job as an office clerk, dying of a brain hemorrhage when Richard was just eleven years old.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Yes I covered this in the video. So sad.

[@trinaq]

@@ProfessorofRock True, you have excellent taste, Adam. By the way, please cover some more Britpop acts if you haven't already, such as "Boys and Girls" by Blur, "Connection" by Elastica, or "Alright" by Supergrass.

[@miguelteixeira4134]

A recurring theme in Richard music was his blue collar childhood. "I stand accused just like you For being born without a silver spoon Stood at the top of a hill Over my town I was found" is the lyrics for "this is music", the leading track of A storm in Heaven, their sophomore album.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I’m living that type of life right now, as a high school junior. It’s super busy, and school hours are hectic for a lot of people. At some point it might get intense to the point where I fully shut down completely. I turn to music as my solace, to make me feel good, to escape from that overwhelming reality I find myself in sometimes.

[@timmoore8773]

Yeah, he said all that already.

[@JanesDough855]

This is a truly incredible piece of music. Its something you can listen to over and over, and never be bored with it.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Same. I imagine myself as that elementary school girl lying in bed, being in love with this song and having this song lull me to sleep.

[@Magnum3144]

Holy hell, I forgot how hard 'The Drugs Don't Work' hits you every time you hear it. Dropped everything to listen to it again just now and it still waters the eyes. Thank you for reminding me of such a great album I forgot I owned. Gonna get the CD's out now and Prof...you're to blame. ❤

[@KabobHope]

I'm glad that Jagger/Richard had the grace to do the right thing -- they didn't have to. I knew most of the ins and outs of this story, but you told the tale well.

[@breakmylegs7294]

The song was stolen from the Andrew Oldham Orchestra it's a straight rip off, if you heard this version you will know what I'm talking about

[@KabobHope]

@@breakmylegs7294 Except they paid to license it. Then, they proceeded to use more than they agreed to.

[@thomasroewer5673]

Nena wasn't a one hit wonder but had many hits in Germany and other German speaking countries.

[@williampaul4212]

Bittersweet Symphony was and still is a great song,it's a low down dirty shame how someone used greed to capitalize on someone else's work but that silver lining at the end is truly what perseverance is all about. I'm so glad that the verve is finally able to capitalize on their hard work and to finally get whatever rewards they have coming to them.

[@xwhite2020]

Fact is he wrote the song in, around and all over somebody else's song.

[@ritchhine6255]

@@xwhite2020 Fact is he tried to do the proper thing by getting permission from the proper sources unlike Richards, Jagger & Klein. RIGHT? Pointer Sisters?

[@xwhite2020]

@@ritchhine6255 I'm not sure what you alluding to with Jagger Richards not getting permission. Can you elaborate?

[@ritchhine6255]

In the middle of the video he made the point of how "The Last Time" was based on an old gospel song by the Pointer Sisters. I was being facetious as the Stones are often accused of "stealing" the blues when in fact, they've been one of the greatest promoters of it and it's musicians. Unfortunately, this one seems to have slipped through ironically, considering the way they punished the Verve.

[@mrhaltonok]

Always worth mentioning that Ashcrofts solo career has many, many great singles. He’s a fantastic Northern voice. A lot of this came from the bizarre story of how his best band song was something that made them nothing. Great video. A perfect telling of the story of a song that we will still be hearing in twenty years time.

[@twoblacklabs904]

Thank you so much for the backstories, Adam! Some of the most iconic sounds in our collective musical encyclopedia” have such rich (no pun intended) origins. I really appreciate the knowledge you’re sharing with us. Good stuff, man…

[@johnshields6852]

His story about his dad's death reminds me when my dad died at his job, I had to go pick up his car and drive it back home, talk about bitter, I just remember thinking, this is what my father got, a massive heart attack at his job after years working for them, I was pissed at the world. He was a great guy.love you Dad🙏. Your show brings me back to my younger self, I like your content. Thank you.

[@noraelliott7304]

I heard this song back in the day but never was able to listen to the words. Life was in the way. The symphonic music always struck me and uplifted me whenever I heard it. I've gone back and listen more closely and now to hear the whole backdrop and conclusion to this wonderfully poignant and true to life song is amazing. Thank you to The Verve and Thank you, Adam for educating me on this great piece of music. A new classic.

[@oldirtydawson]

My boomer mother (who likes good music and grew up on The Beatles) knows little, if nothing, about Brit pop or The Verve, and she couldn't even really tell the song was sampled from a Stones song. But this is one of her top 20 favorite songs of the 90's. Every time it comes on SiriusXM, she cranks it up full volume. She doesn't know how big it was back in 1997. She just knows it's a damn great song. Great choice for the bottled lightning series. She also loves New Radicals' "You Get What You Give".

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Love that New Radicals song!

[@mrhaltonok]

Minorly interesting fact, Greg Alexander made a similar amount of money to his main New Radicals hit by writing Ronan Keatings “Life is a Rollercoaster” which is essentially a reskinning of the same song!

[@deanrobert9953]

Really nice episode POR. Glad it ended well for Richard. You mentioned Bittersweet Symphony playing in stadiums. Well... Seattle Seahawks fans know it very, very well. The dream-like beginning of the song used often back in 2012 era to goose-bump effect when the team took the field in front of their 12s. For good or for bad that is what I think and feel every time I hear that great song. Go 'Hawks!

[@BillGraper]

Most of my nostalgia comes from the late 70's & 80's, but I'm really feeling it with this song. I remember getting it stuck in my head back then. I was in my mid 20's, and still had a chance at being someone. Around 2004, I was whistling the string part at work & before you knew it, there were a bunch of us whistling it. This is the first time I heard the FULL story behind the song. You have a WINNER with this one, Mr. Professor!!! 🙂

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s a super catchy melody!

[@TheCharlesAtoz]

I will admit, that song is one of the greats. It resonates through your mind and soul like few songs do.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Seeps into your blood and leaves a permanent mark there.

[@willwetherell7265]

I always thought/wished Mick and Keith should help. Didn't know they did. Happy to hear it. This song gave my heart goosebumps. Still does.

[@maxaroni15]

One of my all time favorite songs. Never get tired of hearing it. Can’t believe all the grief they endured before and after its release.

[@steveknight4291]

One of the best music videos in history. It was a brilliant song too. I'm glad he finally owns his masterpiece again.

[@btchhopperou812]

Great piece Adam! I never knew how much turmoil encompassed this tune, and the virtual hell Richard Ashcroft was forced to endure for 2 decades as what seemed like everyone but him profited from his labors.

[@tammylewis2408]

Similar to what John Fogarty had to endure with everyone profiting from the songs he made with CCR.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Richard and Fogerty did not deserve this crap at all!

[@Hengist11]

I didn’t know it was Alan Klein. How can one man have been involved with so many bad faith lawsuits? His treatment of George Harrison was shameful.

[@briang70]

For me, this great song will always be tied to the movie Cruel Intensions. So now I'm off to watch that movie. Thank you, Professor of Rock!

[@risenfromyoutubesashesagai6302]

I'm sick and tired of these insipid Manhattan debutantes.

[@Rossturnerphoto]

This is a great song. I didn’t know much about the band, but you couldn’t escape the song in the late 90s. It’s very iconic and beautiful as well as thought provoking, and I’m glad the story ended well for the band.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The video too! It was ubiquitous.

[@coleberggren1346]

The rest of their work is for the most part, at least as good, if not better. I would recommend diving into the previous records and in particular all the songs that were written by the band as a whole. Richard's genius not withstanding, each member of the band was amazing in their own right. So yeah, do yourself a favor and tonight, dim the lights and play "A Storm in Heaven" from start to finish (with the recommended, but optional bottle of wine, joint or hit of "E") ;)

[@cjc2]

One of my favorite songs of all time. One of the most played songs on my 90s playlist.

[@c.s.s.1723]

This song, was a true “Tour de Force”, and has a lasting impact. I so totally remember when this current. I can’t even imagine all of the irony that accompanies every aspect of this song. There is no way not to love this song. Too many fingers ended up in the pie.

[@meghantrautman8503]

While Bittersweet Symphony is a gorgeous masterpiece of late 90s music, their other song "Lucky Man" on the same album was, in my opinion, an even more brilliant song. Their early 90s album, A Storm in Heaven, was also one of my favorite early 90s albums. It's much less polished than Urban Hymes, but it's ethereal and melancholy songs were just the best to listen to when I was studying for finals - especially the song "Slide Away". There wasn't really any other band like them in the early 90s, especially before Brit Pop hit in the Mid-90s. The album A Storm in Heaven can be best described as ethereal psychodelic grunge. Listening to that album with headphones is pure joy. The only other band with a similar sound, I've found, is Coldplay, especially as the Verve's music matured later in the 90s and into the 2000s. Coldplay borrows heavily from a lot of The Verve's music, and many of their song's have The Verve's musical DNA. The Verve's later albums were also great, but only a few of their songs would capture that 90s dreamscape tone they had really perfected, such as 2008s "Judas" on their album, Forth.

[@austintrousdale2397]

Nice 🤜

[@paulkinzer7661]

Wow! You are clearly so passionate about justice in this video. I mean, the circumstances are pretty clear-cut. But good for you to show your concern so well and so clearly.

[@MatrixRoland]

Love this song. It draws you in and you can’t let it go. I was blown away to hear what the band went through with this song.

[@jeffwhite2511]

I played this song at my wedding to my Australian wife in 1999 and moved to Melbourne a few years later where we got divorced and my life fell apart. I'm still stuck here in Australia as I have a son I didn't want to leave but as a teenager he shows little interest in me as a dad. Bittersweet Symphony is the story of my life. My life has passed me by

[@anakina1]

Don't give up on that relationship.

[@typeorulz]

It's not too late. Especially if you and the kid are decent people.

[@_Only_Zuul]

hi mate. i live here in melbourne too 👍

[@jeffwhite2511]

@@anakina1 You're right, thanks

[@jeffwhite2511]

@@typeorulz Thanks, we are decent people just caught up in difficult circumstances

[@violetsnotviolence]

I loved Urban Hymns, and this song was one of my favorites from that time period. I was all of 12 but for whatever reason could understand at least part of what they were trying to say. When I heard about what happened I was mad for them and couldn't help but wonder if it didn't lead to their disbandment. I'm glad he found peace and that kinder hearts helped give back to him what he deserved in the first place.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Me too. It’s baffling how they didn’t earn a lot of money from this song, and a huge injustice.

[@danrebeiz4598]

What do I remember about hearing this song for the first time? I fell for it. It was an instant hit for me. Didn’t even get to the chorus before it became one of my favorite rock songs ever. Then second to it was Sonnet. But I think Bitter Sweet was the Melt With You of the 90s. Just unique enough that it instantly became iconic and every songwriter wished they wrote it.

[@MySkinnydip]

I always preferred “Lucky Man” myself. I still play it to this day but I have a new appreciation for “Bittersweet” after some hard times I’ve been thru these last few years.

[@dcarbs2979]

In the UK, this isn't lightning in a bottle. At the time of release, it hit #2 and the follow-up (The Drugs Don't Work) went even higher - #1. Famously at the time but almost forgotten now, it was the record that got knocked off #1 by the biggest selling single in history - Candle In The Wind. Given today's events (State funeral of Queen Elizabeth), it's a poignant reminder of 1997. The Drugs Don't Work, like The Verve's previous single, clearly too, comes from very painful personal experience.

[@djm4457]

What a fantastic episode! Much appreciation and respect for your amazing storytelling skills.

[@IronSikh44]

If I had to pick 1 musician from the modern rock era who would have fit in with Waters, Gilmour, Lennon, Townshend, Daltrey, Jagger, Richards, McCartney etc I would say Richard Ashcroft. He had that “it” factor, a riddle that couldn’t be solved easily, if at all. Great band! Urban Hymns has multiple phenomenal tracks.

[@christinamanis4351]

Love your channel. You're a great story teller and I have been listening when I am winding down, while I clean, while I work, whenever! Great job, please keep 'em comin'. God bless!

[@ejbear8403]

An interesting little story for you to cover concerns the supergroup "ASIA." Before they could release their 1981 debut album in the US, they were taken to court by the Mgr (Mike Chambers) of a small South Dakota band named "Asia." When he became the Mgr, Mike trademarked the name of the Band. It took months of negotiations w/ Geffen Records. Chambers brokered a deal w/ Geffen for an undisclosed amt of $$$ and a deal to promote and distribute 1 album under the Band's new name, "Solomon Kane." I was wrkg in the Musicland store in Rapid City, SD. We knew Mike Chambers and the members of Asia well. Alas, ASIA went on to intern'l fame....and Solomon Kane drifted into obscurity...

[@DavidLazarus]

Interesting. I never knew that. I'm a huge fan of Asia. Both the Wetton era and the Payne era. Though I will say that I don't thin the Payne led band should have been called Asia. Payne is a nice guy though. I spoke to him back stage during a tour in the early 2000s. Darn shame Wetton died in January 2017. Such a phenomenal musician. Here's a piece of trivia that you might not know. Changeling by Simple Minds and Cutting It Fine by Asia have very similar bass lines. Listen to Changeling at 0:18 and Cutting It Fine at 1:20. The first is doubled with synth and latter is doubled with guitar. Changeling definitely came out before Cutting It Fine. That said, I'm not accusing Asia of anything. I'd say it's either coincidence or they liked Changeling and decided to use its bass line in a different context. Oh, and as I understand it, Genesis had a similar problem. I think that's one reason their debut album was simply titled From Genesis To Revelation with no band name. It caused a bit of confusion in record stores as they didn't know where to "file" it.

[@adamrasmussen9939]

A similar thing happened with Bush in Canada. For about 5 years they were known as 'BushX' here, until they reached a deal with some small folk band with some recordings from the 70s also named Bush who were standing in the way of letting the band go by the same name it uses the rest of the world over. It was a big TV announcement on MuchMusicTV, the main music channel in Canada at the time. Both bands were there, there was a handshake/hug it out thing and I think Bush announced a donation to some charity or setting up some fund or something, I don't recall ALL the details, your comment just jogged my memory

[@ShadowoftheRisingSun]

Love this song and love The Verve! All their albums are classics and are great psychedelic rock. Shame that more of their work isn't known in the USA. I think they are one of the greatest bands of all time!

[@geoffallan3804]

I never realized that the man who was probably the biggest factor in the Beatles breakup also got his sticky fingers into Bittersweet Symphony.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

I heard that Jagger/Richards had songwriter credit for this masterpiece but never knew the story on why. At least Mick and Keith righted the wrong that executive and producers did by stealing all the money made. Ironic that Bittersweet Symphony is a bittersweet story for the group that really made this masterpiece of a song. Great story professor, now I know. Thank you

[@ProfessorofRock]

My Name! Love your comments. You encouragement motivates me. Thank you.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

@@ProfessorofRock you do such a great job of giving us REAL music history, these episodes will last forever mark my words!!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Okay, so I knew this was a sample, but I DIDN’T know they sampled this from the Rolling Stones. I have always loved this song, for more than 7 years I have!

[@GIBBO4182]

While I’m glad he is getting what he’s owed, I won’t forget how he left The Verve to go solo as soon as they had 1 good album! Especially after hearing stories of how the band members helped him turn his life around and help him recover from addiction!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I really wanted more from The Verve after hearing the incredible song.

[@jasonvoorhees895]

Yeah, I kind of wondered about that back then. Alone With Everybody sounded so Verve-ish, I thought "Dude, you could have just done this with The Verve. But, then I remembered a couple musical stories. When Robert Palmer left the Power Station, they claimed that he took the band's sound and went solo with it. His response was "NO, that's MY sound, and I'M the one who brought it to the band." I also remember hearing Billy Corgan said that the only reason he had a band was because he couldn't play all the instruments at once. Maybe there was some of that happening with Ashcroft.

[@edwardmclaughlin719]

@@jasonvoorhees895 Interesting

[@shawnleisure8793]

I was there for the video debut on VH1 and knew instantly it was gonna be a classic. The video matches the tone of the song perfectly and is one of the greats, but the song as you said is a once in a lifetime achievement. I could never put my finger on what was so completely transfixing about it until you mentioned the layering. That's it. It completely immerses you in sound, similar to the city he walks through in the video, but with the opposite effect. Instead of being claustrophobically crushed by the hundreds of city noises, you are shielded by magical melodies as a man opens his heart and gives voice to his pain, and for many of us, our pain too. Such a beautiful creation.

[@benjamininkorea7016]

This saddens me deeply. That song, and the video to go with it, has always been one of my absolute favorites. :(

[@Elwaves2925]

Great to see you cover this era Adam. This song along with many others, is why I always say there was a LOT of great music in the 90's. Especially in the UK where this type of music still ruled, even though the downturn in music had long started. Bittersweet Symphony is a classic among classics. What a sad little man Allen Klein is, he clearly only cared about the money.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Clearly. More to come. Any requests?

[@RBS_]

@@ProfessorofRock ....may I interject!? Robbie Williams Franz Ferdinand The Killers Take That Fall Out Boy MORE Green Day The Strokes ...you're welcome! ...ha-HAAA!!

[@Elwaves2925]

@@ProfessorofRock I don't know what was big in the US and while Oasis and Blur are the obvious options, I'd love something on Pulp. As big as they were, they were also kinda overlooked (because of the big two) and Jarvis Cocker is an excellent songwriter.

[@Elwaves2925]

@@RBS_ You may interject and I completely forgot about The Killers. They're even more relevant as they're an American band who made it big in the UK first.

[@jaykay2323]

@@ProfessorofRock Could you cover more British music from the 90s? There were only a few handful success in the US for Brits spawned from the 90s. Have you covered Jesus Jones, Oasis, Radiohead or Blur yet? Thank you

[@lexdavies3656]

The case that came after the song was released was ironically a perfect cutaway into what the song was about and the struggles with money and people stepping over you

[@ProfessorofRock]

So true. It's interesting how that worked.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I really do truly relate to it.

[@jacklawrence2212]

Excellent video, Professor. Heartfelt, generous, with true love for the subject. Fantastic stuff.

[@Spinspiel]

Thanks Professor for adding to my knowledge of the history of this classic, I had no idea of the sordid back story. Great closing line to your video!

[@markweaver8529]

Ashcroft is a lyrical genius, with an amazing voice to boot. It was a travesty that they had to hand over 100% of any penny made on this song. To people that had more monet than the verve ever made up to that point.

[@baneverything5580]

I would have went after the guy.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

What an underrated voice. It’s criminal that other companies milked their money.

[@mrhaltonok]

A similar tale is Happy Mondays not getting a penny from their cover of John Congos Step On. There was a great doc on BBC3 years ago where Shaun Ryders manager desperately begged for even a 1% writing credit for Shaun’s ad lib “you’re twisting my melon man” to be totally turned down. Shaun was going through bankruptcy at the time, to a point where if he played live, he’d have to pay the taxman more than he could have earned from a gig. The story of how he mispronounced “it’s there” as “it’s dare” on the Gorillaz song “Dare” is a brilliant tale of how one song can turn around the fortunes of a singer

[@evanwalters63]

The Drugs Don't Work is a great song. This band was amazing.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Great song indeed.

[@MinionofNobody]

I went back to school to finish my bachelors degree while working a 40+ hour a week job in the early 1990s. I went straight to law school from there while continuing to work the same full time job. These videos often drive home to me just how much I missed during that period of time. I didn’t hear of this song or the band until sometime in the early 2000s. I sure missed a lot of good music.

[@joshuagibson2520]

You can now afford it these days though!

[@terryguire1321]

Fascinating story. One of the best on your channel! Glad it went well in the end for Richard!

[@linuxretrogamer]

Urban Hymns is the single greatest album I've ever heard. Velvet Morning easily is a contender for greatest Song ever put to vinyl. And Richard Ashcroft, since splitting from The Verve he has barely put a foot wrong. Still producing new music today Ashcroft has an amazing back catalogue of solo work.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He’s amazing. What a talent.

[@cainemarko5021]

Thank you for this story! Good to get the truth on all the players involved, especially Klein. I've been blaming the Rolling Stones themselves for this since it all went down. To the point that I cut them out of my life entirely for over 20 years now. I haven't listened to them since this went down. I haven't spent a dime on their music and I change the station when they come on. Thank you for clearing this up.

[@calvinhancock9748]

Damn!

[@tammylewis2408]

Allen Klein owned their music and the Beatles as well as other artists, and they never saw a dime. as we all know, it would set the stage for Michael Jackson to own the Beatles catalog until recently. The Stones themselves faced legal wrangling of their earlier music because of bad management. Elton John/Dick James, Badfinger/Stan Polley, and Elvis/Col. Parker were other examples of bad management; two members of Badfinger committed suicide over finding out Polley cheated them out of royalties and they were in debt despite having hit songs and touring. Then you have managers like Peter Grant who made Led Zeppelin millions because he looked out for the band's interests . Not so with Col. Parker; he took 50 % of the publishing rights when Elvis signed a new RCA contract in 1973; he literally gave away his rights. Parker also robbed Elvis of working with other artists who could have given him a much-needed career opportunity; he turned down recording Bowie's Golden Years song. Parker also robbed Elvis of a movie role starring opposite Barbra Streisand. The Stones were really not at fault for Bittersweet Symphony; it was the publisher who pushed the suit, like Saeul Sanz and the original members of CCR suing John Fogarty for Old Man Down the Road sounding like Run Thru the Jungle.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

This was definitely messed up.

[@abbeyroadkill]

Thank you for this. This is always in my top three songs of all time. I bought it on a a whim while traveling in Spain back in 97. Never heard it until I put the CD in. You explained the feeling of this song and the lyrics behind it so well. The song does somehow feel tragic and overwhelming hopeful at the same time.

[@shashay1344]

Glad Ashcroft got his song back. What’s lost in this story is that Urban Hymns was a great album and the Verve is not a one hit wonder by any means. The entire album was a masterpiece.

[@calebdonnell2633]

Finally some verve love. Most underrated band of all time.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

This was foul but fair.

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

Underappreciated, maybe. Definitely not underrated.

[@calebdonnell2633]

@@TheRetroManRandySavage storm in heaven and northern soul are 2 of the most underrated albums of the 90s and urban hymns is a top 3 album of the 90s in general yet most people outside of the uk only talk about bittersweet symphony. In my opinion that is the very essence of being underrated. Think what you like of course but to me they are absolutely electric and Richard Ashcroft is one of the greatest lyricists of his generation.

[@ProfessorofRock]

So under appreciated.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Agreed! One of my favorite songs of all time!

[@dean9377]

Wow! Tragic. One of my life dreams was writing a song that many people could hear. To imagine doing that and having someone steal it is brutal but I agree with Ashcroft. Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Good insight Dean.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

For sure. If I had to sample I’d definitely ask the original artist for input first.

[@josephbishop3590]

Thanks Adam! Hard to add or improve on your narrative... You said it so well. The sound of the strings rising above the bleak lyrics give rise to the hope in all of us...to rise above or to lift up our children to a place better than where we were.

[@Frosenborg]

The whole album is a masterpiece. For me the song, The Drugs Don't Work, hits personally really hard, lost my grandmom and my oldest brother to cancer, six months apart.

[@philbrown1474]

Way too obscure for me to give a rip. I wish the Prof would do more videos in real Trail Blazers - while they’re still with us to speak. John Kay of Steppenwolf is a deserving guy for this. Absolutely great story about his Mom smuggling him out of communist East Germany to the story of Steppenwolf.

[@ProfessorofRock]

We are working on many interviews.. John Kay is one. Stay tuned.

[@michaelrochester48]

Obscure? It was one of the most defining songs of the 1990s. It’s still played on a lot of new rock stations.

[@davidwoolbright3675]

Yeah. Not obscure.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I would love for him to interview John Kay!

[@marthawelch4289]

@@ProfessorofRock That is good news, Professor! Don't let me get to the car's gas pedal if Born to Be Wild is playing!

[@scottbelcher9026]

I remember the first time I heard it and was blown away by it!!! The setting not interesting, just driving my car and heard it on the radio! But that song made the trip memorable!!!

[@counterpuncher01]

The world is a better place with the Professor of Rock. I love seeing your business take off and watch you meet our heroes! You've earned it!

[@davidellis5141]

Best song of the 90's & finally The Verve are getting paid. A Storm In Heaven is a remarkable album that is vastly underrated. Check it out ! The video for Bittersweet is ace. Great Band.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree on all fronts. Thanks David.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Yes, you really need to dig in!

[@j.c.85]

Probably, IMO.. the best song ever written in the modern era

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's near the top for sure.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

One of the greatest songs ever.

[@WormholeNavigator]

The first time I heard this song was as one of the songs chosen by U2 before their Tempe AZ Pop mart tour stop (97) I remarked to my girlfriend, "when did Bono write/record this? And isn't it odd that they'd play themselves b4 their show?" I found out quickly that it wasn't U2. Love the song, a best of my life for sure. The industry you describe is why I keep my music hidden and for fans only... and free. This is not a music account so you will find none of my 22 years of music on this youtube account... :) I love your videos. 100% my era. Just went to Maiden last week... killer.. 100% perfection in Austin.

[@aracellytirado3525]

Wow! Just wow. I’m speechless. But like you said this is a once in a a lifetime song and boy did they know it. Wow….. poor guy.

[@mikefrommiami]

All your videos are too long. 20+ minutes??

[@ProfessorofRock]

Maybe for you. We are an in depth channel that explores the real story behind the greatest songs of all time. That's what we do.

[@weirdalfan1980]

I am sorry, he forgot simpletons' short attention spans.

[@Sweetish_Jeff_]

@@ProfessorofRock No problem for me. I enjoy your videos regardless of the length, Professor. Always good stuff. 👍👍

[@odditiesparanormalmysterie1723]

Take your Adderall if you think it's too long.

[@mikefrommiami]

@@weirdalfan1980 No, I just have e an actual life outside of KZbin

[@dkimuk]

I remember one of The Verve's videos being on MTV in our house in the late 90s. We lived in St Helens which is close to Wigan where the band was formed. One of the neighbour's grandchildren was in our house playing with my niece when his Grandmother came round to collect him. She took one look at the TV and said "Oh cheer up Nick, you miserable bugger", took her Grandson by the hand and left. I later found out that she had worked in an office with Nick McCabe's mum and had known him from being a little boy. Apparently he'd always been quite. It was just weird seeing her talking to a member of one of my favourite bands through the TV!

[@madds6678]

Just as you said the moment you hear the opening notes of this song it grabs your attention like vinny Jones grabbing gazza by the nuts ( check the iconic photo ) I remember hearing this the first time at work hear in London & just had to stop what I was doing & hear the sounds that recognise the pain in me. This is definitely my favourite album of the 90’s & so much better than oasis. What is it about strings in a song that just make it perfect Madonna papa don’t preach comes to mind what would that be without the string arrangement. Fantastic that Richard got the rights back, great video as always keep them coming 👍🏻

[@elizabethramos6527]

I always heard this song playing in my years of attending University. Never really paid attention to it's lyrics. Thanks for sharing the story behind this song. Brings back a lot of very good memories of college and working hard.

[@scottschneider5866]

Great video I’m 55 and never new all the behind the scenes drama 🙀

[@WDSCRNRAD]

Well done man for shining a light on this (pardon the pun). The Verve are/where an incredible band, even up to the last album ‘Forth’. Ashcroft is a lyrical genius, and Nick McCabe is one of the most underated guitarist around. Huge inspiration on my band Tigerside

[@andrewjohnson388]

Wonderfully put,, from UK ...perfect ..no other words ...you said it!

[@nbt3663]

Rush Limbaugh made this song famous in the US after it was used as bumper music for the 2:20 hour of his show. He got more phone calls on thus one song than any other song they used as bumpers.

[@murdockscott]

I have always loved that song. I had heard that there was problems stemming from a sample, but it’s wild to hear a detailed telling of the story.

[@djm5687]

An interesting story. Initially I was going to say "Too bad, *a contract is a contract.* " but your video revealed additional information that changed my mind slightly.

[@dino0228]

When I first heard it, I thought “oh, that’s a rip-off of the 60s instrumental - but with amazing lyrics and musicianship.” I was much more drawn to it. I played the video for my daughter, but she was so put off by by him bumping into people with no regard for their well-being that she left the room. I think she was too young to link the meaning to the song. And still, I can’t get enough of it - totally unlike the 60s instrumental’s effect. But since the story broke years ago, I tend to listen to the copy that’s etched in my brain, and I play The Verve’s other songs, especially “Lucky Man”. It’s in lots of my playlists. I do love that song, too, after all!

[@VegasGuy89183]

My first exposure to Bittersweet Symphony was the movie, Cruel Intentions. A cute movie that turned into an unforgettable movie with the introduction of this song at the movie's closing. Blew me away.

[@calvinhancock9748]

The song captured me the first time I heard it! Got it on my iPod ❤

[@Iloveboogersalot]

I wore that CD out...I drove a lot and it was played non stop...literally.

[@wildcatvxa2372]

Bittersweet Symphony is played a Seahawk games during the introductions. I coach in the junior football team and Lumen field hosted games all day for Junior football. My 13 year olds played under the lights last night. I was playing this for the team pre-game to get everyone fired up

[@markross9624]

I remember being hungover driving to my shitty cooking job in the morning when I was in college and hearing this song on the radio and changing my attitude of the day in a positive way...lol...great tune...love the stones but screw those manager assholes...The Verve deserved every penny from this song...glad it worked out... Thanks Prof!!!!

[@rivertam7827]

It really was an injustice, they were also vilified as plagiarising scumbags, I remember a guy I worked with would refuse to listen to the song and get angry because he believed they had stolen the song. I'm glad the truth is being told now.

[@BooksForever]

Suffering this injustice probably would’ve broken me. I’d have lost my passion to keep trying to be creative if vultures with corporate backing were ever poised to get their beaks into my guts.

[@Barney7535]

The song and the album it's taken from, is some of the best music from the 90's. Totally awesome. Thanks for doing this video mate, defo means alot 😎

[@reloadnorth7722]

For me, this song is as moving now as when I first heard it. It will always give me a chill, and great memories.

[@julesgardet659]

This song has been always present on my personal list, every time I listen to it is always new to me. Thanks RA, nobody can’t steal that from you.

[@wcoleman99]

A decent chunk of Rip A remixer's manifesto documentary is about this song and the history of the sample of it over the years. It's a fun watch

[@thetrojanhorse.1320]

Fantastic take on this amazing song. Great work mate. Loving your channel.

[@miguelteixeira4134]

Fun fact : Ashcroft played a role in two of 1997 greatest records. SPIRITUALIZED'S magna opus Ladies and Gentleman we are floating in space came in the aftermath of Kate Radley leaving Jason pierce for RA.

[@leonardking84]

Nicely done, Adam. You had my attention throughout.