Bitter Sweet Symphony

According to the Bitter Sweet Symphony Songfacts, the lyrics are a somber look at the ennui of everyday life: "You're a slave to money, then you die." "Bitter Sweet Symphony" samples an obscure orchestral version of The Last Time , a 1965 song by The Rolling Stones . This was recorded before they got permission from the Stones to use the riff, so the Verve had to sign away most of the royalties from this in order to release it.

[Verse 1] 'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony that's life Trying to make ends meet, you're a slave to money then you die I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down You know the one that takes you to the places Where all the veins meet, yeah [Chorus 1] No change, I can change I can change, I can change But I'm here in my mould I am here in my mould But I'm a million different people from one day to the next I can't change my mould No, no, no, no, no, no, no (Have you ever been down?) [Verse 2] Well I've never prayed, but tonight I'm on my knees, yeah I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now But the airwaves are clean and there's nobody singing to me now [Chorus 2] No change, I can change I can change, I can change But I'm here in my mould I am here in my mould And I'm a million different people from one day to the next I can't change my mould No, no, no, no, no Have you ever been down? I can't change it you know, I can't change it [Verse 3] 'Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony, that's life Trying to make ends meet Trying to find somebody, then you die I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down You know the one that takes you to the places Where all the veins meet, yeah [Chorus 3 + Outro] You know I can change, I can change I can change, I can change But I'm here in my mould I am here in my mould And I'm a million different people from one day to the next I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no I can't change my mould, no, no, no, no, no You've gotta change my mould, no, no, no (It's just sex and violence, melody and silence) (Gotta, can't change my violence, melody and silence) (Gotta can't change my violence, melody and silence) (I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down) (Gotta, can't change my violence, melody and silence) (I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down) (Gotta, can't change my violence, melody and silence) Been down Ever been down (Can't change my violence, melody and silence) Ever been down Ever been down Ever been down Have you ever been down? Have you ever been down? Have you ever been down?