He wrote this song sat next to his father in law's hospital bed, whilst he was dying of cancer. But also him and his wife were using more and more recreational drugs to numb the pain of what they were going through, but had the realisation that it was making it worse. It is very personal, about both those subjects, which is why it hits so hard.
No he didn't, nothing to do with it. It's about his addiction and ultimatum by his then girlfriend. His dad passed when he was eleven. His father in law has nothing to do with the song. Why don't you ask him.?
I always thought this was a song about addiction, and how the rugs no longer make him remember him but he’s still chasing that feeling. Just like in life they eventually run out of good times
My mum was a heroin addict, i had to raise my sisters, when she wasnt out of it we would sit and drink, this was her favourite. Im 31 now and shes been dead a long time, so they definitely dont
"If you leave my life I'm better off dead." That's the line that hits the hardest for me. Whether it be a parent, Grandparent, sibling, cousin, partner or a friend I think everybody has felt like that at some point.
The Verve are one of the greatest British bands of all time, they weren't as commercially huge as Radiohead and Oasis in the 90s but every one of their contemporaries hold them in high esteem. If you haven't heard "Bitter Sweet Symphony" do yourself a favour, it's a classic. My favourite song by them though is without doubt "Beautiful Mind" from their 1993 album A Storm In Heaven.
Musically they were much better than oasis but closely with radiohead. They're probably, in terms of musicality, are one of the top 10 bands of all time. I truly think that.
22 years ago I locked myself up for three days and just listened to this on repeat for the whole time. Both things said on it are true to me.. A. They don' t work B. Even so... I'm never coming down; as reality is unbearable. Thanks for posting this. Nice to see someone understood, at least, a part of it. Don't expect, nor want, an answer. Big love from Spain Edit PS. Very nice reaction. Sorry I almost forgot my manners.
😢the drugs make you worse. I lost my mum a year ago, before she left I was sure I wanted to go with her, but I m still here and doing ok, I miss her😩❤️
Even back then when I was 16 years old, had never suffered any loss close to me and was pretty much had the emotional range of a used wet sock, this song would get to me and give me a lump in my throat. It's a masterpiece.
This song one taught me how to cry and that as a man it’s ok to cry and that’s it’s ok to have emotions and that occasionally it’s ok to be emotional it’s also relatable to me because it’s 3 weeks sober
The verve as a band, musically, its probably the top 10 bands of all time. Very underachieving indeed, but musically they're one of the best bands of all time.
Secret only me and Richard know. The song is based on where Richard was in his past life as Aaron in Egypt as my older brouther. When I Moses was first born he would rock me in his arms and sing to me. But our parents were alwyas fighting over what they should do with me because of the new law that went against me. So Richard would rock me in his arms and sing to me as Aaron as our parents would argue in the same room. And when I grew up as a pharaoh child I didn’t even remmber who Aaron was, but amoung the slaves who would always stop talking to his busy group of friends just to stop talking and look at me. He would look blankly at me like in bitter sweet sympathy when he’s walking down the road. I remmber when our parents were told by my older sister but Aaron’s younger sister that the idea to put me in a basket down the river Nile. And they had no better ideas so they agreed with there daughter… my older sister… I remmber Aaron was left in a state of shock and disbelief and he started saying no there must be a better way and they kept denying him and slowly took me out of his arms and he stopped singing to me and that was it.
Classic Ashcroft. Genius. I advise you to steer clear of the James Blunt song 'Monsters' if you tear up, or if you do listen to it, have some tissues on stand-by.
Esta song es una joyita y el U. H. del 97 todo ese album es una obra maestra. Genio maestro Richard Ashcroft con The Verve band y como solista...! Saludos desde Lima Perú MUSIC IS POWER 😎✌
Pretty impressive that in the space of about ten seconds after this song was released in '97, I remember, "the drugs don't work" became THE slogan for drug awareness virtually everywhere. It even became something you said to mates who were heading down the dark road (sometimes ironically, though ;). The other meaning - about medication no longer working for the terminally ill - seems to have faded over the years. But I reckon it's so deep in our culture now that the expression, 25 years later, is completely disconnected from the original song (my kids know the expression but they have no idea where it comes from, which is a source of grief!). That's how powerful - and important - this song was.
Richard Ashcroft, unsung hero of music
He wrote this song sat next to his father in law's hospital bed, whilst he was dying of cancer. But also him and his wife were using more and more recreational drugs to numb the pain of what they were going through, but had the realisation that it was making it worse. It is very personal, about both those subjects, which is why it hits so hard.
Thank you.x
thank god sum1 says the truth ye it was more about cancer and the drugs they was pumping into him..
No he didn't, nothing to do with it. It's about his addiction and ultimatum by his then girlfriend. His dad passed when he was eleven. His father in law has nothing to do with the song.
Why don't you ask him.?
I always thought this was a song about addiction, and how the rugs no longer make him remember him but he’s still chasing that feeling. Just like in life they eventually run out of good times
Hate it when the rugs dont work@@keitheepoo7253
Makes me tearful also. Lost my mum 23rd September 1995. Her 50th birthday. Drugs didn't work for her. I love my mum !
I tear up every time. It’s the saddest most beautiful song I’ve ever heard. Thanks for sharing with us.
Ashcroft is a genius
I have just seen Richard Ashcroft supporting The Who at Sandringham, a great day , this song reduced me to tears, so emotional
My mum was a heroin addict, i had to raise my sisters, when she wasnt out of it we would sit and drink, this was her favourite. Im 31 now and shes been dead a long time, so they definitely dont
This song makes me cry every time I hear it. It reminds me of my father's death. I still listen to it though, even though it hurts.
Sorry for your loss.
I too listen despite it upsetting me. My dad loved The Verve and this song is so poignant for me.
This song is an experience. One of my favourite songs of all time.
"If you leave my life I'm better off dead." That's the line that hits the hardest for me. Whether it be a parent, Grandparent, sibling, cousin, partner or a friend I think everybody has felt like that at some point.
I have to shoot The Verve in my veins at least once a day. Such an underrated band.
The Verve are one of the greatest British bands of all time, they weren't as commercially huge as Radiohead and Oasis in the 90s but every one of their contemporaries hold them in high esteem. If you haven't heard "Bitter Sweet Symphony" do yourself a favour, it's a classic. My favourite song by them though is without doubt "Beautiful Mind" from their 1993 album A Storm In Heaven.
Musically they were much better than oasis but closely with radiohead.
They're probably, in terms of musicality, are one of the top 10 bands of all time.
I truly think that.
@@vinlondon8904not better than oasis mate let's be honest here good but not that good
22 years ago I locked myself up for three days and just listened to this on repeat for the whole time.
Both things said on it are true to me..
A. They don' t work
B. Even so... I'm never coming down; as reality is unbearable.
Thanks for posting this. Nice to see someone understood, at least, a part of it.
Don't expect, nor want, an answer.
Big love from Spain
Edit
PS. Very nice reaction. Sorry I almost forgot my manners.
This song came out not long after my mum died of cancer . I don't want to get too maudlin but took me back in time when the drugs didn't work .
😢the drugs make you worse. I lost my mum a year ago, before she left I was sure I wanted to go with her, but I m still here and doing ok, I miss her😩❤️
Even back then when I was 16 years old, had never suffered any loss close to me and was pretty much had the emotional range of a used wet sock, this song would get to me and give me a lump in my throat. It's a masterpiece.
Verve are one of my favs.
Man this brings back memories, seen this live at Glastonbury 2008...im a tough soul but this sh*t got me weak.. Still does
..The line ' ..but I know i'll see your face again ' is a choker
I've cried to this before
I've known so many friends who ruined their lives with drugs
I hate drugs
God Bless Us All 🙏♥️
This song one taught me how to cry and that as a man it’s ok to cry and that’s it’s ok to have emotions and that occasionally it’s ok to be emotional it’s also relatable to me because it’s 3 weeks sober
I agree pal. Its good to cry.!
Oasis don’t make you cry, The Verve will bring you to your knees in tears. They are absolute mint.
True !
Check cigarattes after sex
Their music has had similar effect on people 🙂
Not true Oasis have made me cry
Stop crying your heart out is a pretty emotional song
Oasis are a great band, but music wise not even close to verve's standard.
Radiohead was close to verve but not oasis.
This song, and Ode to My Family from the Cranberries always get me to tear up.
The verve as a band, musically, its probably the top 10 bands of all time.
Very underachieving indeed, but musically they're one of the best bands of all time.
Hope you're okay, keep the faith.❤
Secret only me and Richard know.
The song is based on where Richard was in his past life as Aaron in Egypt as my older brouther.
When I Moses was first born he would rock me in his arms and sing to me.
But our parents were alwyas fighting over what they should do with me because of the new law that went against me.
So Richard would rock me in his arms and sing to me as Aaron as our parents would argue in the same room.
And when I grew up as a pharaoh child I didn’t even remmber who Aaron was, but amoung the slaves who would always stop talking to his busy group of friends just to stop talking and look at me.
He would look blankly at me like in bitter sweet sympathy when he’s walking down the road.
I remmber when our parents were told by my older sister but Aaron’s younger sister that the idea to put me in a basket down the river Nile.
And they had no better ideas so they agreed with there daughter… my older sister…
I remmber Aaron was left in a state of shock and disbelief and he started saying no there must be a better way and they kept denying him and slowly took me out of his arms and he stopped singing to me and that was it.
Richards always in my heart
Back then this song hit me hard. My then girlfriend's 17 year old son died of an overdose. Decades later I still think of him when I hear this song
Classic Ashcroft. Genius. I advise you to steer clear of the James Blunt song 'Monsters' if you tear up, or if you do listen to it, have some tissues on stand-by.
Masterpiece
Always chokes me up 😢
Esta song es una joyita y el U. H. del 97 todo ese album es una obra maestra. Genio maestro Richard Ashcroft con The Verve band y como solista...! Saludos desde Lima Perú MUSIC IS POWER 😎✌
Everyone can relate to this song in one way or another but its about his dad dying and the drugs aint working no more richard said it himself
One of my all time favourite songs along with November rain by gun's & roses
Love love love,,
Both r beautifull,, the song & you @It's Your Girl.❤️
Pretty impressive that in the space of about ten seconds after this song was released in '97, I remember, "the drugs don't work" became THE slogan for drug awareness virtually everywhere. It even became something you said to mates who were heading down the dark road (sometimes ironically, though ;). The other meaning - about medication no longer working for the terminally ill - seems to have faded over the years.
But I reckon it's so deep in our culture now that the expression, 25 years later, is completely disconnected from the original song (my kids know the expression but they have no idea where it comes from, which is a source of grief!).
That's how powerful - and important - this song was.
Classic
wow thats a very deep song
They were unic.
Velvet morning is another heartbreaker
Miss you Kai, everyday x
Im cryinnnng
This song has always destroyed me.
ahhhhh...richard ashcroft...👍😁🔰
You will see her in heaven 🙏
Try verve lucky man. And buy urban hymns album! 👍🏻
You want to go deeper into their shoes listen to the’ Cas is Dead’ version of The drugs don’t work 👍
Classic 👍
how do you NOT know this SONG???
Search the live performance from Glastonbury
Welsh...👍
Your beautiful
I love this song but i am guilty of loving Ben Harper cover more. Both are good , but BH always had a place in my heart.
She’s a liar
My uncles song who sadly died of a heroin overdose in 2002, a beautiful man taken too soon getting into the bad crowd RIP Ade x