Did The Verve Steal BITTER SWEET SYMPHONY?
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
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Even if you don’t know The Verve, you’ve probably heard their 1997 single Bitter Sweet Symphony.
It’s been used in ads, TV shows and films.
It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song and remains the Verve’s most definitive single. It launched the band into stardom. And it’s arguably one of the greatest songs of the last 25 years. It feels grand and that’s thanks to its orchestral elements. The Verve’s frontman, Richard Ashcroft was almost ready to scrap the song until producer Martin Glover put the strings over top of it. That’s when Ashcroft really got excited. But that’s also where The Verve’s biggest problem lied.
The Verve’s Bitter Sweet Symphony uses a string sample from Andrew Oldham Orchestra’s symphonic version of “The Last Time.” The song was inspired by The Rolling Stone’s first major single, “The Last Time”
The Verve cleared the sample with Decca Records but The Verve didn’t think to get the permission for the underlying Stones track that inspired the composition until after their track was completed - and why would they? The orchestral version was only inspired by the Rolling Stone’s track.
For those rights, they needed to talk to Allen Klein, the “music business boogeyman.” He first said no, but then granted them a license. The Verve says the deal was initially for a 50/50 split but when the single started to perform well, Klein claimed that The Verve broke the license agreement and used a larger portion of the sample than agreed upon.
Klein ended up suing the The Verve for plagiarism. The band decided to settle out of court thinking it would be cheaper than fighting a legal battle that might not go their way. Klein, demanded 100% royalties and songwriting credits attributed to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. So remember that Grammy Nomination? It had Jagger and Richards name on the ballot too.
What song did bittersweet symphony steal from?
It didn’t “steal” exactly. They used a sample and got the license for it but failed to get the license for the track that inspired the song they sampled.
What song did bittersweet symphony sample?
Andrew Oldham Orchestra’s “The Last Time,” a symphonic rendition of The Rolling Stone’s “The Last Time”
Who did bittersweet symphony?
English rock band The Verve
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Written, Voiced and Edited by Frank Furtado
#theverve #therollingstones #middle8
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huh.
Odd that you made this comment 2 years after posting this video.
Its amazing melody
So samples were done like rap music?
Crazy that all the bands in the 50, 60, and 70s freely robbed black artists of their music and they had the gaul to fight over infringements.
"you're a slave to the money then you die" perfect line to end it on
@@Viajealduende he did what he could get away with not what was right dont confuse the two..legal right is a bullshit word to excuse evil.
@Josh S.
Not when you are stealing from another artist. Black artists were often mislead about publishing rights. Very few were able to keep what was there’s.
Nat King Cole would send a bill to a person who invited him to their party and then asked him to “play a little something, won’t you”.
@Jacqueline Payne
Oh here we go again with the bIack-victim complex narrative. So old and tiring.
Anti - Ethnic Cleansing Shush.
@@anti-ethniccleansing465 I agree, anyone no matter the colour of their skin gets robbed blind in the music industry if they don't have their heads screwed on tight enough, or have the right people around them.
Now Klein is dead and Jagger and Richards have signed over all the song rights back to The Verve. It only took 22 years.
Jagger/Richards didn't have a say till Klein's death. Allen Klein died owing them $15million since for 48 years.
@Josh S.
Somehow getting the royalties from this ONE SONG makes up for all of that.
Oh thank God justice prevailed. A real bitter sweet victory!
MatchstalkMan good
This is why we pay artists! Samples aren’t cute if you’re not accredited!
I love how bittersweet symphony is literally about what ended up happening
I'd be honored if some 90s fans would take a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal YT performances of BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY by the Verve and "1979" by the Smashing Pumpkins in tribute to 2 of the most iconic 90s bands. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Peace out and stay safe in the '020s.
“When I’m listening to Bittersweet Symphony, I know I’m listening to The Verve.” Hell yeah! Spot on mate!
yes!!
"You're a slave to the money then you die"... ironically, that line Sure applies to this situation.
do you think Ashcroft is still a slave to money though? He probably earned some decent cash from album sales and live shows... I'd be honored if some Verve/90s fans would check out my acoustic piano & vocal covers of BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY and HIGH & DRY by Radiohead on my channel in tribute to the legends. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and peace out.
No reason to throw principles away. Verve was screwed just like the original creators of the initial song. No one got what they deserved for better or worse. Came down to greed and Klein had a life built around it obviously. Listen man this is not the way to advertise your music. I watched quite a few of your videos and I'm going to be honest. You sing from your chest almost 100% of the time even when it doesn't make sense. You are putting way too much into way too many notes with a tone that comes from your chest when it shouldn't. It comes across as struggling and/or trying too hard. Just not natural for a lot of notes. Look into "chest voice" vs. "head voice". You have seemingly good understanding of vibrato though. vibrato seemed pretty on point in the videos I watched and I can tell you have put effort into it. Edit: Awesome piano skills
It's funny because right after that he thanks patreons then does an add (6:11)
Charles Dominguez well said
I am so confused here.. why is musical theft and sampling being defended? They knew they didn't have the full rights and went ahead with it anyway? Why didn't they sign a contract for those rights? Sounds like they just stole it honestly. It isn't adding up.
Sooo who else is here after hearing that Ashcroft has finally got the royalties for the song
Me! :)
👋
No but I was here a few days before hearing Ashcroft had got the rights. Wasn't there also a legal dispute with David Whitaker at one time?
Yes! Glad he's getting his money now. It's a brilliant song.
Didn’t know that. So good to hear.
The Verve just got the rights back-time for an update!!
Vids Vids Kids-they got 100% royalties' from the stones. Very Generous
I hope Allen Klein burns in hell
@@neilzthered yes, he was always an asshole.
but can they play it with strings?
It would be nice if they could get back royalties lost.
"...you're a slave to money then you die..." Sums it up perfectly.
I hate greedy people who have more then enough money, but continue to make life miserable for others while hiding behind high priced lawyers. SMH
Mike D: Bet you'd like it to be The Stones fault wouldn't you? Unfortunately....it's not. They had nothing to do with it!
Why would anyone like it to be The Stones fault. Ha ha I wrote layers instead of lawyers.
Leo: I Don't. I think he's talking about Jagger and Richards! Alan Klein is a high priced lawyer, he doesn't hide behind one.
The circle of logic is complete!
I am so confused here.. why is musical theft and sampling being defended? They knew they didn't have the full rights and went ahead with it anyway? Why didn't they sign a contract for those rights? Sounds like they just stole it honestly. It isn't adding up.
Loved this song as a kid, used to make me feel invincible. Fuck that Klein guy heart goes out to the Verve.
klein also fucked over alejandro jodorowsky for years until klein's son made a deal with jodorowsky and made things right.
Klein's son needs to call The Verve and make this right.... Fucking rotten.
Jack Connolly Your so right.
Klein was an absolute scumbag. He shafted every artist he looked after. He tried it with the Beatles. McCartneys in laws The Eastmans warned him about Klein. Lennon went against the advice out of spite to Paul but ended up saying Paul was right.
I am glad the Mick and Keith did the Verve right and gave them back the money and the rights.
Bitter sweet symphony!? Oh, the irony.
right..... getting caught not writing it more fakes
@@gentbar7296 They only used a sample. Sampling is the life blood of Hip-Hop so would you say that hip hop artists are all "fakes"?
I know I'm being picky but:
*Oh, how fitting.
It wasn't ironic.
That's coincidence, not irony.
I am so confused here.. why is musical theft and sampling being defended? They knew they didn't have the full rights and went ahead with it anyway? Why didn't they sign a contract for those rights? Sounds like they just stole it honestly. It isn't adding up.
Mister Oldham "borrowed" his inspiration from: "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" from The Peer Gynt suite by Edvard Grieg and then dares to sue The Verve - strange world
I hope the Verve rerelease it and it's massive again just as a poke in the eye to greed.
Word
Praying for a release....so I can buy like 15 copies, for everyone in the family! 😎
Rich H can you not just downloaded ad it from iTunes and let the Verve get the credit now?
julie Wallis
I can’t believe they got away with this. I’d struggle to even listen to a stones track now. I’ll defo be downloading from ITunes after this.
No....no...no...no
1997, that's 22 years ago. Damn, time does fly alright.
1990 WAS 40 YEARS AGO DAMN WE GETTING OLD
@@bipbipletucha Uh 1990 was 29 years ago my friend..
@@babiddyboo1246 it's a reference. Look it up
@@bipbipletucha 1990 was only _30_ years ago. 1980 was 40 years ago, not 1990.
I Was 20 In 1997
Mick Jagger said that once a song is out there it belongs to everybody.
@HFS40000
Capitalism is all about making the money, and the easiest way to make money is to screw others over.
@@suburban60sKid Yes. Mostly grey people who sit behind a desk and a phone and fleece as much as they can from young performers. Think about how many aspiring musicians who slept in squats and lived hand to mouth and most failed to make their mark. And there were some who left university and promising careers to follow their dreams in music. Grubby music executives, agents, lawyers, managers etc etc taking as much as they can get away with. The Bay City Rollers were pressured to sign a contract (here boys quick!) seconds before going on stage to find out later that Tam Paton their manager (sic) took virtually all of their money. There was even a television documentary about Les McKeown their lead singer who naturally wouldn't let it rest.
@HFS40000 Except through the whole Verve thing he and Keith Richards just sat back and took the money.
But Mick Jagger was big at a time when even if you tried to re-release an existing song as your own, you would fall way short because the infrastructure of the industry isn't in your favor as a small fish with little resources. The Rolling Stones and the Beatles didn't have to worry much about people when they were in their heyday, because record companies, radio stations, and TV stations were all on their bandwagon.
Joshua Taylor Madison Easy to say that when you’re making money off of it.
I hope this gets rereleased so the younger generation get to love it as much as we have ❤
I love hearing all these music stories that I didn't know about, and the way you do it is really nice. Well structured, well researched, and well edited. Great work
J335H thanks! It’s a lot of work!
"The best song Jagger and Richards have written in 20 years." -- Richard Ashcroft
Lmao did he actually say that
He did! LOL
@@Johnny-mb9vy
Keith Richards said if Ashcroft is so good let him write a better song . And we still waiting
@@kenichi407 no for Richard Ashcroft to write a good song where he doesn't rip off an entire song
they didn't write it it is a traditional tune check out the Staple singers ''this may be my last time'' Jagger even said we were lucky the Staple singers couldn't sue it was a traditional tune
It's almost as if the lyrics were foreshadowing of the events that the song would trigger...
Its always sad when lawyers and money gets in the middle of art.
“Send lawyers, guns and money…”
KLEIN you say hmmmm
So let's get this straight, The Verve, took an orchestral version of a Stones tune, slowed it to half time, used no melody or lyrics, used only the chord progression accompaniment, put a NEW string countermelody, ask for and GET permission to use the sample that can't really even be heard and then get sued for 100% of the royalties and LOSE?? WTF??? They got screwed, plain and simple! IT sounds NOTHING like the Stones track! Keith, Mic and the record execs took their money, plain and simple! If the tunes sound anything else, the string line sounds like a baroque line from some JS Bach work, but that's public domain.
They were granted the right to use the music as a sample. They based the whole song on it therefore had to give up all songwriting credits because they obviously didn't write it. Pretty simple really
@@Sciencedgofood I'm an ASCAP composer so I think I know what I'm talking about. Read my post again! I go over how they sampled the song. If you know how to read, "it's pretty simple. really".
@@legasiguy551 the Verve knew what they did was wrong, that's why they agreed to lose all songwriting credits. They didn't even bother to try to take it to court
But why should the Rolling Stones not get what's owed to them. They need the money, don't they? Don't they? Only joking. I've played the song over and over again and I have a really good ear and I cannot see what they've pinched. This is really mean spirited. In Klein's case - and being a Lennon fan I have to agree that Paul was right - Klein was a shyster on the end of a phone. In most cases you don't need much talent to be a manager or an agent, but boy the rewards can be great.
@@thomasalexand 0:50 there you go :-)
UPDATED: Nearly 22 years after the Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” was released, the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have assigned to Richard Ashcroft the songwriter royalties and rights from the song, which samples one of their compositions, and removed their writing credits. The news was first reported by the BBC and New Musical Express.
Any retroactive royalties, though? Ashcroft got screwed out of over two decades pay, which surely affected his career to some extent. He deserves the money they took in that time, with interest. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards can definitely afford it.
And David Whitaker, the guy who actually wrote the music, gets how much?
@@bcpr9812 I'm pretty sure they got that to. Interest I don't know.
Thank you for posting this. I was seriously angry at what happened to The Verve. Okay, so it took 20+ years, but happy the Stones did the right thing!
This shit would have NEVER happened in the US. VERVE FOREVER! I love The Stones, but I might NEVER buy one thing of theirs again after this BULLSHIT.
An extraordinarily good example of how destructive Copyright is.
Intellectual property as theft.
It really _is_ a bittersweet symphony.
Bruh that’s so fire how they took a sample and created a whole new world out of it. Music is so sick
It seems that at the end of April 2019 the fight is over.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce as of last month Mick Jagger and Keith Richards agreed to give me their share of the song Bitter Sweet Symphony,” Ashcroft said in a statement.
“This remarkable and life-affirming turn of events was made possible by a kind and magnanimous gesture from Mick and Keith, who have also agreed that they are happy for the writing credit to exclude their names and all their royalties derived from the song they will now pass to me.”
Verve is finally getting royalties now!!!
after 22 years 😱, thx god i love this song from '97
too late
How about when the song was huge though, they need to re- release it, it's a timeless song this generation would like it, they were toddlers when this song came out, so for them it would be new
dwilloughby13 Most kids/teens have heard the song. It’s not as if the song was only released in 1997 then disappeared from existence ever since...
The rights were transferred to Ashcroft, so it could be possible that The Verve still get nothing... Hopefully that's not the case.
No hard feelings or anything, but the world is a more creative place without Allen Klein.
This isn't their song... so... I am so confused here.. why is musical theft and sampling being defended? They knew they didn't have the full rights and went ahead with it anyway? Why didn't they sign a contract for those rights? Sounds like they just stole it honestly. It isn't adding up.
Oh nice he is dead
@@Pyriscent Think about it like this. Remixes exist correct by your logic remixes are bad as they have stolen music by the original creator. But is it bad as they made a even better song because of creativity. Now bith the verve and people who make remixes didn't steal the original song they drew inspiration from it and made something much more amazing.
@Conor Koritor Suggest you listen to the Andrew Loog Oldham version of 'The Last Time' from 1965 and then the Verve's 'BSS.' They are identical.
@@Pyriscent The Stones stole it from The Staple Sisters & they got no royalties..
"You're a slave to the money then you die"... ironically, that line Sure applies to this situation.
Everything creative can be matched up to something else creative that came before it.
No hard feelings or anything, but the world is a more creative place without Allen Klein.
That Dirty no talent moneygrubbing - - - !!!!!!!!!!!
This is song is even more heartbreaking now .
Well that's just Bitter sweet
that's life
Literally Bitter Sweet Symphony
just bitter
This is by far my favourite channel on youtube atm. You sir, are a legend
Michael Pyle thanks!
Michael Pyle Stop throwing the word legend idiot.
Richard Herzog Stop throwing the word idiot fool.
santiagobenites Stop throwing the word fool around, chump
UPDATE: The Stones recently gave the song and royalty rights back to The Verve!
For what? Its too late,,,lol
Yayy
We know we are listening to the Verve 👍
'you're a slave to the money then you die'
Swerve .. what a sit up 🧐💚
The Verve has quite a few songs better than Bittersweet Symphony. If 'A New Decade' played on a superbowl commercial, we'd still be hearing it on the radio.
I remember when this song came out...thought to myself...man, the new Stones tune sure is lame..
Nice pfp
The Verve got so screwed. Such a brilliant song.
They overused the sample, they lost the rights as they didn't write it themselves.
Kind of like when a former member of Spirit foolishly sued Led Zepplin because the intro of "Stairway to Heaven" sounds ironically similar to their song "Taurus." The latter is basically a continuous 2 and a half minute loop of the same melody because there's no actual singing involved. The member who filed the lawsuit probably was in danger of going bankrupt, and wanted an excuse to score some easy money. The "4 Chord Melody" method proves that it's impossible for most artists to be 100% original in their songs.
David Whitaker, the guy who wrote the string arrangement for the Andrew Oldham Orchestra version of "Last Time," is the one who truly got screwed. It's Whitaker's string arrangement that really makes that version of the song memorable- and he didn't get any royalties for it.
How about the Staple Singers got screwed too! Ugh that Kline guy was a back stabbing two face piece of shit. Just a thought.🤷🤔😉👎🏾
@@MsKewi-NYC
The song was in the public domain no one owned it.
The verve didn't deserve this. The world is all wrong. I love The Verve. They were Great and still are greatest for me. I always knew this story. But watching this again hurts me again knowing how great the verve have always been.
Alexa Spears you're English is just dreadful.
Alexa Spears you have an IQ level of .001
Bruh, I wouldn’t be talking you can’t even use the proper “your”. If you’re going to criticize someone’s writing at least make sure not to fuck up the first word. You’re just making a fool out of yourself smh.
You are English is just dreadful???? Bro if her IQ is .001 then yours is .000
It doesn't take much to kill off creativity. The Stones certainly didn't need the money. They made a great recording. As for you Grammar Nazis, I agree but give it a rest you pud pullers.
Music constantly borrows from other music. This copyright thing does not work as intended.
Huge "The Verve" fan here. This was enlightening, it really explains the depth of the dispute, when you said "I know i am listening to the Verve" i got the chills man
Im glad they took that risk, This songs amazing and absolutely beautiful
Almost as beautiful as Andrew Loog Oldham's cover of "The Last Time"
Wow, the lyrics have such a bigger context now.
Mike Matza, I hadn't noticed the irony until your comment !
I was going through the comments trying to find the word "Irony", and here it is.
No , you just finally growing up and seeing the world.
So the line "You're a slave to money and then you die" makes so much sense now.
My thoughts... it's a fair sample. And the sampled track isn't a Rolling Stones track. Certainly the sampled element has nothing to do with the original Stones song. The whole case is ludicrous.
ua-cam.com/video/MKC5cdGBY04/v-deo.html
They could've easily won that lawsuit; settled out of court and lost all royalties and adjusted writers credentials......
@Pete's Guitar Lessons TV Yeah, but not Stones' hook but rather the hook of the Orchestral version by Andrew Oldham. If anyone should've been credited and payed it's him/the orchestra.
@@peacelovekillemall
The orchestral section wasn't arranged by Oldham. He was credited as the artist (The Andrew Oldham Orchestra) on that 1966 version of 'The Last Time' from 'The Rolling Stones Songbook' (an instrumental album of Stones' songs). The arranger - the person who created that epic orchestral riff and who conducted during the recording - was David Sinclair Whitaker. Oldham had nothing to do with it. While Ashcroft definitely cribbed a bit of the melody from Jagger & Richards' song, the main thing everyone remembers from the Verve's 'Bittersweet Symphony' is the sample Ashcroft used from Whitaker's recording of the orchestral riff. And Whitaker received nothing but his arrangement fee back in 1966 (probably about fifty quid). The fact that Jagger & Richards and now Ashcroft have been the primary financial benefactors from it is a joke. The songwriting credit for 'Bittersweet Symphony' SHOULD read Jagger - Richards - Whitaker - Ashcroft.
@Pete's Guitar Lessons TV That's probably true.
It's amazing. That single sample is so easily replaced, IMO. They could have hired a small string quartet and maybe even changed the progression a little bit with inverted chords or something.
Absolutely crazy.
Agree about the sample. Changing the chords is trickier. Small changes make big differences. Change them enough to avoid any sign of plagiarism and you may lose the effect entirely. But yeah, worth trying at least.
Or just not even tell anybody and released the song anyway NOBODY!! would have known.
Everything is derived from something else.
With all the strings arrangements the song already sounded very different, they should just take the samples out.
UA-cam ---> "A Bitter Sweet Story: A Fanmade Documentary"
I Agree...they could have easily just redone it ..Why don’t they do it today and just call it a remaster.
The verve got truly screwed, one of the finest groups of the nineties was blown to shreds because of this, oddly Richard Ashcroft is opening for the stones in Manchester this june
I hope he dedicates this to the Staple Singers... Fuck Keith Richards.
The Devils Rather Menacing Friend That's crazy. Sucks everyone knows the band just for this song. Their first two albums are near perfection. Bittersweet Symphony is everything they weren't.
Yeah, good band, still love that music.
i hope that's the rolling stones way of offering an olive branch, in reality its probably not their fault. As a further note though, i do wish Jagger and co would pay their taxes like everyone else
crabbtrixexp
I don't think that the Stones had anything to do with the suit. They are richer than rich, they don't need to be worrying about that shit.
Very interesting. The B.A.C.M. (British Archive of Country Music) flat out took the music (sound recordings) of Lucky White and his Dude Ranch Playboys, that Lucky White produced, arranged and engineered in Los Angeles, California on the Courtney Records label. The B.A.C.M. reproduced, manufactured and distributed Lucky's sound recordings without license overseas in the U.K. back in 2011. I've just posted the videos regarding these unauthorized releases.Incredible what people will do.
So ridiculous. The Verve just ran into a greedy person. And you’re right, it is The Verve when we hear Bittersweet Symphony. I never thought they used that much of the sample or that it even sounded similar.
not their only song that sounds like another song. the song the drugs don't work sounds like crowded house's better be home soon. so similar that neil finn mentioned it.
So true. Ever since copyright lawsuits became a thing, music got worse.
If those old blues men had legal teams in the sixties, Cream, Eric Clapton, The Doors, LED Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, and yeah, The Rolling Stones wouldn’t exist.
If someone can take your song and make it better, LET THEM. Keep your percentage, and don’t get litigation happy.
Ashcroft had a savage retort to all this, when he said (roughly), “If Bittersweet Symphony is a Jagger/Richards song, it’s one of the best they ever wrote.”
Not only is there a sample from a Stones song, it sounds like the Stone wrote it...I remember when the song came out...thought to myself, man...the new Stones tune sure is lame. ..
You don't think they sound similar? Seriously?! I have listened to a lot of comparisons between songs when a track is supposedly stolen, and I'm often baffled as I cannot hear any likeness between the two, but in this case, you can CLEARLY hear they are very much the same. Not only that, but you can also clearly hear samples from The Last Time throughout the entirety of Bittersweet Symphony, from start to finish. I'm not even sure it counts as a sample when you use it through the whole of the track.
Glad to see Mick & Keith have now righted things with Ashcroft - very financially honorable of them!
They righted it after the song was bled dry, empty blessing.
Mick and Keith just granted all royalties to the Verve/Ashcroft yesterday.
too late for that
D Mack
that Klein is an asshole!!!
Bittersweet
@@ozymandias1935 Too late for what?
@@LegendaryRadioJock They've already sucked the song mostly dry for 22 years. It's like if I "borrowed" your drink and gave you back the empty glass to try to save face. Gee, that makes up for everything, huh? Now, if they gave him all the money they must have received, that would be something. Did they? I hope so.
Great and really useful content! It's really interesting to know that The Verve's greatest hit is also their worst "punishment" financially speaking...
Richard Ashcroft has since said it was kind fitting that the royalties from a song criticizing being a slave to money were taken from them.
As for the sample, a lot of people believe that it's the entire string section which is actually not true, it is just those 4 notes and the main thing they actually sampled from it was the bells, the rest was re-recorded and the main signature melody wasn't even part of the sample.
The song should be credited as written by Richard Ashcroft, string arrangements by Wil Malone based on work by David Whitaker and Andrew Loog Oldham, containing a sample of "The Last Time" by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards performed by The Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra. It was totally unfair how The Verve lost out on their biggest hit.
Interesting, Allen Klein was also the owner of Bright Tunes, the company that sued George Harrison over "My Sweet Lord" having a similar chord structure to "He's So Fine". Klein was George's manager at the time he wrote and recorded "My Sweet Lord" and didn't think to mention the similarity. Nor did Phil Spector who produced by records. In a somewhat ironic twist, when George was recording demos for the album which contained "My Sweet Lord", he changed the lyrics of the song "Beware Of ABKCO" as apparently Klein had walked into the room as he was recording. If only he'd taken his flippant comment seriously he could have avoided himself a lot of trouble.
Allen Klein bought Bright Tunes while the plagiarism suit was pending and tried to get more money out of George that way (because Klein then became the plaintiff) and the judge told him he couldn't do that. George ended up with the rights to "He's So Fine" after that. And really, "My Sweet Lord" sounds more like the Edwin Hawkins Singers' "Oh Happy Day" (the song's main inspiration) than The Chiffons' "He's So Fine"... at least to me.
The Neon Chimp Channel I totally agree
Well that was the actual inspiration, and even then I think it's different enough. I'd say someone just wanted to make some money. Klein seems like he was a bit dodgy. McCartney was right not to trust him. If only that intuition kicked in when he met Heather Mills lol.
It's five notes, had it been four, no problem.
Yes, so unfair. EXCEPT, if not for the controversy about the song, The Verve would have faded into oblivion never achieving worldwide acclaim. If I were Richard Ashcroft I would take the "no royalties" and build on it. Only he didn't do that. So bittersweet!
I'm surprised Alan Klein gave any royalty money to The Stones after that. He swindled them out of their publishing rights and millions.
This has always bothered me! I appreciate the detailed reporting of this f'd up "sample (plagiarism) scandal".
UPDATE: Mick and Keith just gave up all rights and royalties... Hopefully Ashcroft and the Verve will FINALLY get to enjoy the benefits of this great song!
99% of the money is already earned though. too little too late
I am English and a lifelong football fan and I first heard this when England used visual effects and this song to view the whole London as an England flag. It was so cool and the song never gets old.
Brilliantly explained. I knew most of the story, but you filled in all the details - thank you!
Another one that's not a million miles away - Labi Siffre has 100% of the publishing in Eminem's "My name is" after he declined use of the sample and they released it anyway. Not sure how it works on the master recording side. Would be interested to know if you're ever doing another video like this.
Sometimes a risk has to be taken. Eminem's team and label knew they wouldn't get the royalties, but fuck the royalties if you can get international attention on the album. End of the day Labi only takes royalties off that song. It's a smart move and obviously a loss at the same time. Most artists are greedy and talk the talk of ''art should be free'' just as Labi goes '' you squander wealth, that's mine''. Funny how things turn out.
"There's no sampling of our music. We just don't believe in it." Aka I'm thought police and I control creativity even though I don't know shit about music
Learn English before you write something
@@nowonmetube it was understandable and my point was valid you moron.
stones have finally handed the rights back to the verve ..good play
Unfortunately twenty two years after the song has made its money.
It's a completely empty gesture.
Wow they're so kind
Belzuboss its not the stones fault though, what more should they have done? its kleins
Makes the title “Bittersweet” all the more poetic... their best tune, no financial glory
The irony of the title of the song "Bitter Sweet Symphony" is a perfect example of life imitating art or vice versa. The controversy and harranging over who should take credit for and profit from the song is a perfect example of "being a slave to the money then you die."
Fan or not, we all know that The Verve and Richard Ashcroft were absolutely shafted on this one. Even to this day Bittersweet Symphony is known as "The Verve song".
I took a music fundamentals class in college years ago and remember the music professor saying that everything in music was pretty done already and that you will hear many similarities when it came to music..Look up The Damned "life goes on" from 82,The Killing Joke "Eighties" from 84 and Nirvana "Come As You are" from 94.The intros sound almost the same..
Funny you should mention Killing Joke; Martin "Youth" Glover, who produced "Bittersweet..." is their bass player
It’s true. Listen to the intro to “Some Other Guy” by the Searchers, and then listen to the intro to “Instant Karma.”
Brilliant video, thanks for putting it together in such a wonderful way 🙏🎶
The irony in the lyrics is thicker than ever after watching this video.
Kiekko67= racist jerk
Coincidence?
Hardly
Copyright is the death knell of creative freedom.
Is there a music story you think needs more attention? Leave your suggestion in the comments below.
a story on the ramones would be tight
Wild nothing
Washed out
Please?
Richard Ashcroft
Mayhem - one member murdered band leader and burned churches in Norway, another one member killed himself, and another one helped him to kill himself.
Middle 8 do goodbye horses by Q lazzarus
“when i’m listening to bitter sweet symphony, i know i’m listening to The Verve.”
Everything creative can be matched up to something else creative that came before it.
The Starry Night.
I don’t get what you mean this is like a a fucking copy
I don't understand the Verve should at least get half the royalties for the song since Richard wrote the entire lyrics????
Exactly true about the lyrics. But the melody accompanying "Well, I told you once and I told you twice" has most (all?) of the same tones as the melody accompanying "Cause it's a bittersweet symphony this life".
Exactly! Cause if the lyrics were crap the song wouldn't have made it big. Just look at all the people quoting the lines in this comments section.
The Verve should get at least 95% of the royalties.
fletchphil no the lyrics could be crap and it would still be a great song dude. Lyrics are easiest part of a song to write. Melodies are soooo hard
Unfortunately there was no way it was gonna be any fair once they decided to settle out of court. It's unfortunate Klein could pretty much force them to do so because he had all the legal pressure.
Good informative video.
My name is Alan Klien
Since you mentioned me in your video you now owe me 1million dollars.
lol
you Dirty - - - !!!
I think there is more to the story, recently The Verve's Richard Ashcroft finally secures 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' royalties after 20 year Rolling Stones legal battle.
this pissed me off so much ahaha
Same and i don't even really like the song or the Verve, but they got screwed :(
Mark Caldwell you're 9 years too late for that
Finally, now with Kliens passing Kieth & Mick are relinquishing their credit that Allen sued The Verve for & the percentage of royalties they recieved will be given to Ashcroft/Verve. Stones never wanted any of this, it was all Klien. Good things happen, better late then never.
Klien's son Jody Klien brought this up and make things right finally
Stones vindicated; thank you for posting!
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards recently gave Ashcroft full credit and royalty rights for writing Bittersweet symphony . Awesome song lyrics with awesome music. I know This song will stand the test of time for decades to come!!!
The entire Urban Hymns album is brilliant. I’m glad Ashcroft & co. finally received the financial compensation they deserved 2 decades after making the quasi-Stones orchestral sample into arguably the best and most profitable Stones song of the last 20 years.
Cracking up a cold one before startin' a new Middle 8 video
You’re gonna need it for this one 😂
today is the day the universe had a correction
Better Late Then Never ! 😎 Music Has The Power !
I know the composition is great and all, but to me the lyrics what gets me the most and it's written by Ashcroft himself.
Copyright laws have been extremely counterproductive to their purpose. The idea behind copyright laws was that artists would receive proper credit for the music they made.
Back in my Dad’s day, artists would openly discuss where their inspiration came from. It was common for artists to talk about drawing inspiration from other works in making their own works. One artist could credit another artist for an idea used in their own song.
Nowadays, admitting that you were inspired by someone else’s music can open up a can of legal trouble, so artists won’t give each other the kind of credit they used to.
In the age where you can get your biggest hit stripped away because one riff sounds kinda similar, it’s safer for artists to keep their inspirations to themselves.
Interesting story! Great idea for a video 👍😃
Thanks Lie!
UA-cam ---> "A Bitter Sweet Story: A Fanmade Documentary"
I think no one got that Lie just got "inspired" by this xD
Gives the title of the track a whole new meaning. Wow
Wow. A classic story of the rich getting richer... so sad
MrDeath018 ,classic story of parasites getting richer as we stand as a mass dumbfounded why i don't know.
Divide and conquer. Blacks vs whites, democrat vs republican, gay vs straight. The rich own the news people watch and they play to their emotions.
There is a difference between rich and greedy
Eric Williamson re-read my comment... because that pretty much what it ment... sorry if english isnt ur first language
And you didn't understand what you wrote. You give the impression that every single rich person is a greedy bastard, when that simply isn't true. A better comment would have been "A classic story of the greedy getting what the want... pitiful"
This really pisses me off big time. I absolutely have loved this song for years, since it came out. It never gets old. It’s a classic and for that grinch to steal the heart 💜 of the group and their song, well that’s sooooooo CRIMINAL😤😤😤🤬 A frigid MAN indeed 🥶🥶🥶
the music industry is so nasty
As someone who works in the industry, I can definitely agree with you there! The higher up you go in the chain of command, the worse it gets.
Finally justice served for the Verve with Richards and Jagger assigning royalties to Ashcroft
Nice presentation. Well researched and nicely edited. Appreciate the efforts!
It's amazing how 5 notes can cause so much drama
So they basically got scammed
If they didn't overuse the sample there would not be a problem
Yes, Klein got 100% of revenue from this song just by granting permission for the sample as he demanded.
@@Sciencedgofood But without it the song wouldn't be as amazing.
@@robotmaster4515 I agree, great song
@@Sciencedgofood yes there would've been, they got the rights to the sample for a 50/50 split. The overuse excuse was a lie to get the money. Some lawyer shit
We should hear the Verve's version of "Bittersweet" BEFORE the strings were added. Would help overall perspective I think.
There's a Richard Ashcroft acoustic version floating around the internet.
The original of it, is the unkle remix that was made by James Lavelle and Ashcroft for Lavelles Album. But after the verve reunited, Ashcroft asked for getting it for the verve.
So I guess you could say that the songs success was ... Bitter Sweet.
...I'll show myself out.
Haha classic puns are cringe self aware "I'll just leave now" 😂😂 so hilarious
Sounds good.
This isn't their song... so... I am so confused here.. why is musical theft and sampling being defended? They knew they didn't have the full rights and went ahead with it anyway? Why didn't they sign a contract for those rights? Sounds like they just stole it honestly. It isn't adding up. They used more of the sample than they were supposed to firstly, secondly they didn't get a contract or any permission for it. Why are people defending this theft? !!!
@@Pyriscent Neither the OP or anyone in this comment chain has said anything about music theft or sampling.
Richard has his song back, all is well again! The history of this song, with the lyrics literally coming to life, was something else. Just glad Richard finally got his song back, even if it is 20+ years later and the song has been completely milked. Smh.
I would LOVE for a new movie, or even TikTok (can’t believe I’m saying this) to blow this song back up into mainstream popularity so Richard and the band can get their due share of the $$!
Ouch what a nightmare.
I love that song and i'm so fucking glad the public's perception is positive for the verve, even if they got no money, they have a masterpiece.
This like Seal and his song kiss from a rose. He was tricked, forced to give away the rights to one of his biggest hits, but there is no denying that he wrote a beautiful song and that it is his voice.
Veronica Accouche
What happened with Seal? Can you share the story or a link to an article? Couldn’t find anything on the matter...
Seal was signed to a London record label, ZTT Records. The song was written in 1987 and released in 1994 to little success. When Joel Schumaker requested it for the Batman and Robin soundtrack the 'cheaply bought' single was a money maker for the film makers Warner Brothers and Atlantic records.
Veronica Accouche
Hmm so they sneakily made Seal sign a buy out of 100% of the rights of kiss from a rose before it became a hit? That sucks..
Yep. I don't know if it was the studio Warner or his management. He received the awards however. I heard things when I was smaller and remember Randy from American Idol skimming over this. There is no longer any articles about it online.@@OmerMan992
The verve - Lucky Man
Hear that music, It's even better than Bitter Sweet Symphony.
My all time favorite the Verve song.
They got ripped off by the money hungry Rolling Stones. Keith and Mick should have at least donated royalties. They did not. A masterpiece written by The Verve. F The Stones. It is The Verve's song 100%.
You realize that mick and keith had nothing to do with this right?, It was all klein
Yeah man they didn't really have any control over it, even the video clarifies this
F the Stones huh? If the Verve is so great why does their whole Financial existence seem to revolve around 1 song. Are they going to be playing stadiums when you're old and gray?? I wonder how much the stones were really involved with this, I imagine it was Lawyers mostly.
I do wish The Verve well though.
The Verve disbanded years ago. Richard Ashcroft has released amazing solo work though.
Song was being dumped until producer added strings. Surely he was to blame if anyone? Pretty lame band if you ask me.
And when i say Intelectual property is a scam, people call me mad.
*"This is the best song Jagger and Richards have written in 20 years"* - Richard Ashcroft
noting it was their biggest UK hit since "Brown Sugar"
Brown sugar sucked
Great video! a couple of points from an intellectual property perspective:
- very minor one and you probably used the term on purpose so viewers could better understand the situation but you wouldn't sue someone for plagiarism, the legal recourse would be copyright infringement.
- Copyright isn't something that's registered, you just sort of own copyright in works you've created and that usually lasts for about 50 years after your death. When someone uses an old work that's no longer protected like the Stones presumably did they would have protection of their own recording and whatever original new parts they added to the song but ultimately they can't 'lockdown' the song itself. I do get what you're saying though because we shifted to an era where music was much more lucrative and people could capitalize on old songs and it seems unjust where the original authors didn't receive much remuneration for the songs.
- Sadly this would have probably worked out better for the Verve had they gone to court. Litigation is obviously incredibly expensive but in this case it seems like their settlement terms were unduly harsh and didn't really favour them at all.
Thanks for the clarification!
No stress, really enjoy your content, keep it up!
BEACH HOUSE, DUDE! The new album is incredible (also like this video and the one before it!)
That One Guy I swear man, this album is so encapturing. from the moment I heard Lemon Glow, in knew that this album was going to be unlike any other.
"It's a bitter sweet symphony that's life"
I wish the legal system was more user friendly ran by the people. So we can have a vote online out of millions of people who thinks it is indeed a rip off or not. This song is just like any Led Zeppelin or hip-hop song that uses a sample or was inspired by something... Like most art! It is THE VERVE and always will be. I'm glad the song exists. It's one of my favorites and never reminds me of The Rolling Stones.
hiphop pay people.
@@geekaleek They paid 50% for the use of the music before greed came in.
Bittersweet symphony was the verve's song. They deserve all the credit.
Except it fucking was a fucking copy of the other song? Did you watch the vid lol you can’t fucking copy people it’s against the law
La Tortuga Picante Except the guy who wrote the actual orchestral part didn’t get credit either.
@@latortugapicante719 Yeah, copyright - a law related originally to printing - now for other creative endeavours. The law is an ass! www.gnu.org/philosophy/misinterpreting-copyright.en.html
@@latortugapicante719 The Stones ripped off that riff from another band--guess you didn't watch it either. 😝 All artists steal from each other, but let's be real, that riff sounds nothing like the original.
Great job once again!