Verve (The)
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Hello you. Make a cup of tea, put a record on. Welcome to The A to Z of Britpop, your introduction to the bands, music, and characters that defined the most exciting genre of the 1990s. In this article, we introduce The Verve, a band whose journey through psychedelic shoegaze, Britpop, and alternative rock captured the highs and lows of the 1990s British music scene.
Britpop was built on personalities, fierce rivalries, soundbites, and of course, the music that defined a decade. It captured the restless energy of the country and signalled a wave of optimism across the UK that had been missing for years.
Each entry in this series is a fact file, giving you the key details: who they were, where they came from, and what they made. It’s the perfect starting point for revisiting the era if you were there, or figuring out why your mum or dad keeps going on about it.
Overview
Originated in: Wigan, Greater Manchester, England
Active years: 1990–1995, 1997–1999, 2007–2009
Associated genres: Neo-psychedelia, Britpop, alternative rock, shoegaze (early)
Record labels: EMI, Hut, Virgin, Parlophone, Vernon Yard
Members: Richard Ashcroft – lead vocals, rhythm guitar / Nick McCabe – lead guitar / Simon Jones – bass guitar / Peter Salisbury – drums
Former members: Simon Tong – guitar, keyboards / Bernard Butler – guitar (live session)
Formation and Early Years
Formed in 1990 in Wigan, Greater Manchester, by schoolmates Richard Ashcroft, Nick McCabe, Simon Jones, and Peter Salisbury.
Originally performed as "Verve" before changing to "The Verve" due to a legal conflict with jazz label Verve Records.
Early material consisted of expansive, psychedelic jams, creating a buzz on the indie circuit.
Signed to Hut Records in 1991 and released their debut singles "All in the Mind," "She's a Superstar," and "Gravity Grave," all of which topped the UK Indie Charts.
Rise to Prominence
Released debut album A Storm in Heaven (1993), a critically acclaimed neo-psychedelic record produced by John Leckie.
Toured extensively, including a stint supporting The Smashing Pumpkins and playing the Lollapalooza festival.
Followed with A Northern Soul (1995), showcasing a more conventional rock sound. The album featured the singles "This Is Music," "On Your Own," and "History," earning critical praise but strained relationships within the band.
Commercial Success and Albums
Reunited in 1997 with guitarist Simon Tong joining and released Urban Hymns, their landmark album.
Achieved global success with the single "Bitter Sweet Symphony", reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and gaining international acclaim despite legal battles over its Rolling Stones sample.
Other singles from Urban Hymns, including "The Drugs Don’t Work" and "Lucky Man", became enduring anthems. The album went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide.
Returned in 2008 with Forth, featuring the hit "Love Is Noise", though internal tensions led to another disbandment.
Later Activities and Legacy
Richard Ashcroft launched a successful solo career, starting with his debut album Alone with Everybody (2000), which reached No. 1 in the UK.
McCabe, Jones, and touring member Davide Rossi formed Black Submarine (later known as The Black Ships).
Urban Hymns was reissued in 2017 for its 20th anniversary, accompanied by rare recordings and live material.
In 2019, songwriting credits and royalties for "Bitter Sweet Symphony" were returned to Ashcroft, resolving a decades-long dispute.
Notable Facts
The Verve originally performed under the name Verve but changed to The Verve after a legal challenge from the jazz label Verve Records.
"Bitter Sweet Symphony" was at the centre of a long-standing copyright dispute with the Rolling Stones' management due to its sample from The Andrew Oldham Orchestra's version of "The Last Time". In 2019, songwriting credits and royalties were returned to Richard Ashcroft.
Their single "The Drugs Don’t Work" became the band’s first UK number one in 1997.
Urban Hymns is one of the UK’s best-selling albums, with over 3.3 million copies sold domestically and over 10 million worldwide.
In 1998, The Verve won two Brit Awards: Best British Group and Best British Album for Urban Hymns.
Noel Gallagher dedicated the Oasis song "Cast No Shadow" to Richard Ashcroft, acknowledging his introspective and poetic style.
Urban Hymns was reissued in 2017 for its 20th anniversary, accompanied by rare recordings and live material.
Defining Lyric
"'I need to hear some sounds that recognise the pain in me" — Bitter Sweet Symphony (1997)
Discography
A Storm in Heaven (1993)
A Northern Soul (1995)
Urban Hymns (1997)
Forth (2008)
Essential Listening
"Bitter Sweet Symphony" (1997): An orchestral rock masterpiece and the band’s signature anthem.
"The Drugs Don’t Work" (1997): A poignant ballad that became their first UK No. 1 single.
"Lucky Man" (1997): A heartfelt song celebrating hope and gratitude.
Why You Should Be Listening to The Verve Now
The Verve’s timeless blend of introspection, grandeur, and raw emotion continues to resonate today. From the soaring strings of "Bitter Sweet Symphony" to the heartfelt vulnerability of "The Drugs Don’t Work", their music defines a pivotal era of British rock while remaining endlessly relatable. Dive into their discography and rediscover a band that truly captured life’s highs and lows.
See you on down the road.
