“History” is a song by the Verve, released as the third and final single from A Northern Soul on 18 September 1995. The song came about when Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft wrote this epic string-soaked ballad after his long-standing girlfriend, Sarah, ran off with his childhood friend.
[Verse 1]
I wander lonely streets
Behind where the old Thames does flow
And in every face I meet
Reminds me of what I have run from
[Chorus]
In every man, in every hand
In every kiss, you understand
That living is for other men
I hope you do understand
[Verse 2]
I've got to tell you my tale
Of how I loved and how I failed
I hope you understand
These feelings should not be in the man
In every child, in every eye
In every sky, above my head
I hope that I know
So come with me in bed
Because it's you and me, we're history
There ain't nothing left to say
When I will get you alone
Maybe we could find a room
Where we could see what we should do
Maybe you know it's true
Living with me is like keeping a fool
[Chorus]
In every man, in every hand
In every kiss, you understand
That living is for other men
I hope you know that I am me so come on
[Verse 3]
I'm thinking about history
And I'm living for history
And I think you know about me
Cause I am
And one and one is two
But three is company
When you're thinking about the things you do
And you're thinking about the things you do
I want to tell you my tale
How I fell in love and jumped out on my bail
Do you understand?
There's more in a smile than in a hand
In every sky, in every kiss
There's one thing that you might have missed
And why am I going to
A place that now belongs to you?
But you were mean and so am I
Let's pick it up, let's even try
To live today, so why not smile
Don't dream away your life, cause it is mine
It is mine
Is that a crime?
Is that a crime?
This life is mine
But the bed ain't made, it's filled full of hope
I've got a skin full of dope
Oh the bed ain't made, but it's filled through of hope
I've got a skin full of dope
History was written by Peter Salisbury & Nick McCabe & Simon Jones & Richard Ashcroft.
History was produced by The Verve & Owen Morris.