‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ dispute’s sweet ending

Richard Ashcroft

The long-standing dispute over the authorship of the ’90s hit “Bitter Sweet Symphony” has mostly been bitter for the British group The Verve, especially for lead vocalist, Richard Ashcroft.

But after 22 years, he finally got the sweet ending he has been hoping for.

“As of last month, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (of the iconic rock band The Rolling Stones) signed over all their publishing for “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” which was a kind and magnanimous thing for them to do,” Richard said as he accepted a lifetime achievement citation at the recent Ivor Novello Awards.

The Verve has reportedly never earned a penny in royalties, because the group was forced to relinquish its rights to the song to The Rolling Stones, after settling a plagiarism lawsuit filed by the latter’s late ex-manager, Allen Klein.

According to a report by the BBC, the issue stemmed from The Verve sampling a 1965 Andrew Oldham Orchestra symphonic recording of The Rolling Stones song, “The Last Time.”

Initially—in exchange for 50 percent share of royalties—Klein gave The Verve permission to use a five-note section of the said record in “Bitter Sweet Symphony.” But later on, Allen demanded 100 percent of the royalties, claiming that The Verve broke the contract because the portion it used was longer than what was agreed upon.

“Then, they saw how well the record was doing. They rung up and said, ‘We want 100 percent or take it out of the shops, you don’t have much choice,’” The Verve bassist Simon Jones said in a past interview with Rolling Stones magazine.

Fortunately, after recent negotiations with Allen’s son and The Rolling Stones’ new manager, Joyce Smith, The Verve regained the credits to the song.

“It has been a fantastic development,” Richard told the BBC. “It’s life-affirming in a way. They play it [“Bitter Sweet Symphony”] before England plays [football]. So, I can sit back and watch England … and finally just enjoy the moment.”

Despite everything, Richard said he harbors no ill feelings toward The Rolling Stones. “I never had a personal beef with the Stones. They have always been the greatest rock and roll band in the world.”—ALLAN POLICARPIO