Bittersweet Symphony// The Verve
One of the greatest songs of the 90’s and a homage to the band’s hometown of Wigan, Bittersweet Symphony has been not only one of the most recognisable songs of the 90’s but also one of the most recognisable videos of the 90’s.
The video follows Richard Ashcroft (lead singer) as he walks along the streets of Hoxton, London in one continuous shot. The video starts with Ashcroft turning onto the street, then lip syncing the famous “It’s a bittersweet symphony this life” as he slowly strolls down the busy London street. The beauty of this opening shot is simply the simplicity of Ashcroft’s actions, oblivious to what is going on around him, he strolls down the street like he’s the dog bollocks.
Further into the video, Ashcroft avoids walking into members of the public and almost getting run over. The idea that life is simple and sweet in comparison to a bustling London street is the sarcastic imagery that The Verve want us to see and the fact that Ashcroft is wearing all black adds to that sarcastic tone. “I’ll take you down the only road I’ve ever been down” blends in with the continuous shot of Ashcroft walking down the road.
The video ends with the band joined together turning off the street, a sign that life is simply bittersweet but your mates can get you through it. The ending shot follows onto the video for one of The Verve’s saddest yet amazing tune “The Drugs Don’t Work”
Words by Brigid Harrison-Draper