The Verve developed “Bitter Sweet Symphony” from a sample from a 1965 version of the Rolling Stones song “The Last Time” by the Andrew Oldham Orchestra, adding vocals, strings, guitar and percussion. After a lawsuit by the Rolling Stones’ former manager, Allen Klein, the Verve relinquished all royalties and the Rolling Stones members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were added to the songwriting credits. In 2019, ten years after Klein’s death, Jagger, Richards, and Klein’s son ceded the rights to the Verve songwriter, Richard Ashcroft.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitter_Sweet_Symphony
Pretty much the only thing they’re remembered for and they make no money from it. Supreme FAFO moment.
They get money from it now. Richards and Jagger were against the lawsuit but they didn’t own their song at the time. After Klein’s death they got the royalties to go to The Verve.
“In 2019, ten years after Klein’s death, Jagger, Richards, and Klein’s son ceded the rights to the Verve songwriter, Richard Ashcroft.”
Klein was a total POS. Jagger thought the man was smart until Klein gave himself the rights to their music, hence this lawsuit. Jagger convinced John Lennon he to get The Beatles to sign with him, McCartney wanted nothing to do with the man.
Wasn’t Klein the manager defending George Harrison against the plagiarism claim against “My Sweet Lord” (vs. “He’s so fine”), then Klein switched sides and was the plaintiff on behalf of the “He’s so fine” writers?
Or something like that.
Oh wow I hadn’t heard about that.
Copyright abuse IMHO.
Lets listen: This is how it sounds WITHOUT the sample // Bitter Sweet Symphony #theverve.
That was great. I learned about this in a copyright for music class in school but hearing this way really shows you what extent they sampled it.
I have no speakers right now. Does it sound basically the same or is it wildly different?
It is way less busy (in the background) w/o the samples. The tune you hear in your head when you think about this song is still there.
They got the fame but not the money. I guess you could say (puts on sunglasses) it was bittersweet. Yeeeaah!
They got the money.
Fun trivia: the Verve’s music video “the drugs don’t work” starts where the music video “bittersweet symphony” ends.
“Crosley Bendix Discusses the U.S. Copyright Act” (audio-only, YouTube)
Holy shit, someone else actually knows/remembers the Crosley Bendix reviews! I love the Squant review.
Never heard that Rolling Stones song before. Very interesting but of trivia there. Thanks for sharing!
They do had some nice songs outside of Bittersweet Symphony though.
Mildlytart Orchestra is definitely a banger and one of their hidden gems.
