Music Video Analysis #2

The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony

 

The Verve were an were an English alternative-rock band formed in 1989 in Wigan by lead singer Richard Ashcroft. Their commercial breakthrough was the 1997 album Urban Hymns from which this song comes from. This song was a worldwide hit for the band, who shortly after recieving this great reputation split up, getting into the Top 10 charts in 8 seperate countries.

The song was not only big for the right reasons however. As it is based on music from an Andrew Loog Oldham adaptation of a Rolling Stones song The Verve had negotiated a licence to use a sample from the Oldham recording, but, after a charge from the original copyright holders it was successfully argued that the Verve had used "too much" of the sample, as despite the song having original lyrics, the music itself is based on the Oldham track which led to a lawsuit. The matter was eventually settled, with copyright of the song reverting to Abkco and songwriting credits to Jagger and Richards. Clearly this was a sore note for the whole of the band, especially Ashcroft who, at the time said, "This is the best song that Jagger and Richards have written in 20 years." Also, Ashcroft even dedicated the song to Jagger and Richards at one of his live shows, responding to booing fans by saying "Don't boo man, as long as I can play this song, I'm happy to pay those guys a few bills." Thus clearly making this one of the most controversial British songs in the past 15 years.

 

The audience for this video would be fans of the 'Indie-Alternative' or 'Britpop' genres as this is what the band, The Verve, fall under. also fans of Richard Ashcroft would be likely to watch this as he is the lead singer.

  

This song is an 'Indie-rock/Britpop' song. We know this as it incorporates guitar riffs, drums and bass guitar.

  

This music video is of the performance form. We know this as it features Ashcroft who is lip-synching the song as he walks down the street, refusing to change his stride or direction causing him to bump into multiple passers-by and at one point even climb over a car. The rest of the band then join Ashcroft at the end and walk off into the distance which leads into the video for the next single from the album. The video was heavily inspired by Massive Attacks - Unfinished Symphony video as they feature the same general premise of the singer walking down a bustling high street.