Bitter Sweet Symphony

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic track "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve from their seminal album Urban Hymns, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its lush strings and introspective lyrics. This song, released on June 16, 1997, is steeped in fascinating trivia, including its infamous legal battle. The track samples a 1965 orchestral version of The Rolling Stones' "The Last Time" by the Andrew Oldham Orchestra. The Verve secured permission from Decca Records to use a five-note segment, agreeing to a 50/50 royalty split, but Allen Klein, who controlled The Rolling Stones’ pre-1970 catalog, sued, claiming the band used more than agreed. The lawsuit resulted in The Verve relinquishing all royalties and songwriting credits to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards until 2019, when, in a magnanimous gesture, Jagger and Richards returned the rights to frontman Richard Ashcroft. Ashcroft, accepting an Ivor Novello Award in May 2019, called it a “kind and magnanimous” move, noting he never had a personal issue with The Stones, whom he considers “the greatest rock and roll band in the world.”

Another layer of intrigue surrounds the song’s iconic music video, directed by Walter Stern, which features Richard Ashcroft walking down a busy Hoxton, London pavement, bumping into passersby without breaking stride. Critics noted its similarity to Massive Attack’s 1991 “Unfinished Sympathy” video, and it was parodied by Fat Les in their 1998 “Vindaloo” video, with comedian Paul Kaye mimicking Ashcroft’s strut. The video’s raw energy earned nominations for three MTV Video Music Awards in 1998. Ashcroft himself described the song’s creation as a hip-hop-inspired act of transformation, telling Double J in 1998 that he took a “schmaltzy” sample and turned it into “an incredible piece of music” with layers of vocals, strings, and percussion, evoking Ennio Morricone’s expansive soundscapes. Social media posts on X from fans like @JakeRudh celebrate its release anniversary, quoting its poignant opening: “Cause it’s a bittersweet symphony, this life. Trying to make ends meet, you’re a slave to the money then you die.”

The song’s cultural impact is undeniable, ranked among Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and voted BBC Radio 1’s “Best Track Ever” by listeners. Its use in a Nike commercial, which netted the band only $175,000 of the $700,000 fee (the rest went to Klein’s ABKCO), sparked controversy, as did its appearance in the 1999 film Cruel Intentions, boosting its global reach. Ashcroft’s lyrical inspiration, as he shared with PopMatters, was to capture “beautiful, tragic moments of life,” reflecting on capitalism and the human need for love. The track’s trip-hop beat and soaring strings, arranged by Wil Malone, create a “wall of sound” that Ashcroft said “didn’t sound like anything else” at the time, a sentiment echoed by fans on Facebook who still call it a defining anthem of the Britpop era.

The Verve formed in Wigan, England, in 1990, with Richard Ashcroft (vocals), Nick McCabe (guitar), Simon Jones (bass), and Peter Salisbury (drums), later joined by Simon Tong (guitar/keyboard). Their early sound, rooted in psychedelic and shoegaze influences, emerged with their 1993 debut A Storm in Heaven, which leaned into dreamy, expansive textures. The band’s volatile dynamic, marked by breakups, drug issues, and lineup changes, shaped their journey. Their 1995 album A Northern Soul embraced a grittier psych-rock vibe but didn’t achieve commercial success, leading to a split. Ashcroft began working on solo material in Bath, Somerset, but reformed the band in 1996, bringing McCabe back in 1997 to complete Urban Hymns. Recorded at Olympic Studios in London with producers Youth and Chris Potter, the album became a Britpop landmark, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and earning two Brit Awards in 1998 for Best British Group and Best British Album. Despite their success, internal conflicts led to another breakup in 1999, though they reunited briefly from 2007 to 2009 for their final album, Forth.

While The Verve no longer perform together, their legacy endures through fan communities and online presence. Their official website, theverve.co.uk, offers discography and archival content, while their Facebook page shares updates and nostalgic posts. The band’s Instagram and X accounts remain active, engaging fans with throwbacks and tributes. Fan-driven spaces like The Verve Live provide unofficial news, music, and forums for devotees. On Facebook, groups like “The Verve Fans” foster discussions and share rare photos, keeping the Zoo Freaks’ spirit alive as they groove to “Bitter Sweet Symphony” on THE ZOO’s airwaves.