"Bitter Sweet Symphony," The Verve

Often imitated, never replicated – this was one of the best videos of the late 1990s:

It’s a simple but effective premise – Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft sings about cynicism and isolation as he shoves other pedestrians on a London street.  Some ignore him; some confront him. Whatever their reaction, he remains oblivious, staring down the camera and shuffling down the street in tune with the anthem-like chorus and  hook.  Toward the end, Ashcroft cracks a smile as he sings “I’ll take you down the only road I’ve ever been down.”  His bandmates join him and they continue walking down the street.  There’s no costume changes, no big special effects – just a simple, honest rock song and video that millions connected to.

“Bitter Sweet Symphony” and the Urban Hymns album would cement The Verve’s rock star status in its native England – where it already enjoyed a certain level of popularity – and introduce the group to North American audiences.  The album, however, was a departure from the group’s earlier sound, creating division within the group that would contribute to its breakup in 1999.  The band would briefly reunite in 2007 but has since largely pursued solo projects since the success of “Bitter Sweet Symphony.”