a b Bychawski, Adam (7 October 2008). "Rolling Stones' manager derides the Verve". NME. Archived from the original on 23 October 2016 . Retrieved 1 February 2015. Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 233 Vikuna 7.8. '97 – 14.8. '97)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 8 August 1997. p.22. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020 . Retrieved 12 July 2018. Britton, Luke Morgan (26 January 2018). "Richard Ashcroft will support Liam Gallagher at these summer gigs". NME . Retrieved 24 May 2019. The Bittersweet Symphony dispute is over". BBC News. 23 May 2019. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021 . Retrieved 23 May 2019.

While Ashcroft drew upon the English bard's famous words for his opening lyrics, he may have also drew upon The Beatles legend John Lennon. Those two tunes [‘Sonnet’ and ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’] were written in a much more definitive way… more of a singer-songwriter approach,” Ashcroft says today. “For me, I wanted to write concise stuff at that point. That opened up a well of material and melodies.” Readers' Poll: The 10 Best Brit-Pop Songs". Rolling Stone. 25 March 2018. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018 . Retrieved 25 March 2018.The band released the album's first single " This Is Music" in May, and it reached No.35, their first single to reach the Top 40. It was followed by " On Your Own" in June which performed even better, reaching No.28. This single was particularly new for the Verve as it was a soulful ballad. The album reached the UK Top 20 upon its release in July, but Ashcroft broke up the band three months later, just before the release of the third single " History", which reached No.24 in September. Ashcroft later stated: "I knew that I had to do it earlier on, but I just wouldn't face it. Once you're not happy in anything, there's no point living in it, is there? But my addiction to playing and writing and being in this band was so great that I wouldn't do anything about it. It felt awful because it could have been the greatest time of our lives, with "History" doing well, but I still think I can look myself in the mirror in 30 years time and say, 'Yeah man, you did the right thing.' The others had been through the same thing. It was a mixture of sadness and regret, and relief that we would have some time away." [21]

Bitter Sweet Symphony (US cassette single sleeve). The Verve. Hut Recordings, Virgin Records. 1997. 4KM-38634. {{ cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( link) a b Walters, Sarah (23 November 2006). "News: Ashcroft's Arena ending". M.E.N. Media . Retrieved 18 June 2009. In August 2018, Ashcroft announced his sixth solo album, Natural Rebel, which was released October 19, preceded by the single "Surprised By The Joy" in September and subsequent teasers "Born To Be Strangers" and "That's When I Feel It." The LP debuted at #4 on the UK album charts. The band split up in 1999 amid rising tensions among the band members, of which one was now keyboardist Simon Tong. The controversy regarding the credits of their huge hit “ Bitter Sweet Symphony” also contributed towards these tensions. The band reunited in 2007, despite Ashcroft’s earlier dismissal of the idea of a reunion:Guest appearances [ edit ] List of guest appearances, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Greatest ... (The 100 Greatest Pop Videos)". ITN Source. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015 . Retrieved 31 May 2019. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol.14, no.27. 5 July 1997. p.13. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 June 2020 . Retrieved 5 February 2020. In July 2021, Ashcroft pulled out of the headline slot at Sheffield's Tramlines Festival after it became part of the UK government's pilot events programme. [49] Awards and nominations [ edit ] Year a b Voyager 1 (liner notes). The Verve. Jolly Roger Recordings. 1993. {{ cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( link)