Beginning with fast, high, pitched notes The Verve’s “bittersweet symphony” erratic melody with introspective lyrics reflects on self motivation and the capability to understand life. The title itself is a representation of the song, focusing on the path of life filled with both ups and downs that make journey itself a bittersweet experience. The artist, Richard Ashcroft, seems to find a connection between music and life by comparing life to a bittersweet symphony. The combination of a traditional melody being combined with an alternative rock sound allows this song so appeal in the different stages of life.
Within the first stanza Ashcroft makes a bold statement about the way our present day society functions which sets the tone for the rest of the song. “trying to make ends meet you’re a slave to money then you die.” Along with stressing noting the impermanence of this life, Ashcroft points out how our society today glorifies the dollar and we allow it to dictate who we are. Ashcroft also purposely compares money to death because in relation to death money doesn’t seem so important, yet people waste their whole lives striving for it.
This song is essentially about the difficulty in breaking away from what is view as normal in today’s society and accepting the standards knowing they can’t change. The anatomical reference Ashcroft makes “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” alludes to following your heart and breaking away from the typical path. The writer is fully aware that a fulfilling life is found through the heart but finds it easer to accept the path society has set before us. The chorus “ I can’t change I can’t change” further intensifies the idea that it’s easier to accept what society demands and finds himself trapped “here in this moment.” The repetition of “I can’t change.. I’m here in my mind” allows for “but I’m a million different people from one day to the next” to stand out. Ashcroft is illustrating how we are all influences on one another and how we find ourselves conforming to the different environments we put ourselves in.
By second refrain there is a shift in tone. The writer goes from understanding conformity to a hopeful tone that one day this may all change. He finds hope by making references to God by praying and “I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now.” Ashcroft finds his individuality and a release from conformity through music, but this new found freedom is not recognized. He again realizes that his heart is the path to take, but society forbids him from making this step. He ends the song noting that you can’t change who you were created to be, but you can be led down different roads and depending where you end up, makes you who you are.