Rather Be (The Verve song)

"Rather Be"
Single by The Verve
from the album Forth
B-side	"Major Force" "All Night Long"
Released	17 November 2008
Format	CD single, digital download, 7" single
Recorded	2008
Genre	Britpop, alternative rock
Length	4:01 (radio edit) 5:38 (album version)
Label	Parlophone
Writer(s)	Richard Ashcroft, The Verve
Producer(s)	Chris Potter, The Verve
The Verve singles chronology
"Love Is Noise" (2008) "Rather Be" (2008)

"Rather Be" is a song by English alternative rock band The Verve. It is the third track on their fourth studio album, Forth. The song was released as the second single from the album on 17 November 2008, following summer hit "Love Is Noise".^[1] Richard Ashcroft is credited for being the sole composer of the track, although as stated by band members the song has changed a lot since the initial version brought over by Ashcroft thanks to his companions' aid.

Background

According to the band, the song was written by Richard Ashcroft just a few months before they got together in mid-2007. Different approaches for it were considered. As stated by Nick McCabe a "psychedelic version" of the song was his personal favorite.^[2]

As for the interpretation of the song's meaning, Richard has cleared it out on an interview with Steve Lamacq, saying "lyrically in a way it’s kind of we’re bombarded with so much information now. There’s too much. You know, there’s a point where you have to just switch off, because I don’t believe we are sort of wired to be able to take in so much information, we become even numb to it or it makes us very, very fearful of the world outside the door when you’ve got the rolling news going, you’ve got all this death and destruction and yet on the other hand, even what it’s saying is I’d rather be here, you know, it’s, I’ve said it before, ‘We’re on a rock in infinity. We’re on this planet, man.’ It’s just, isn’t that the miracle? Is this the miracle, the miracle?’ Is waking up and looking out? It’s very difficult, I think, in the modern age to find time to, or space, to really invest a bit of thought into the fact that you are on a planet in infinity."^[2]

The band recorded both B-sides for the single in late September 2008, a month after the album's release.

Chart performance

"Rather Be" debuted and peaked at number 56 on the UK Singles Chart.

Music video

The music video was filmed at May Hill, Gloucestershire and was initially released as an exclusive for The Sun‍ '​s website on 17 October 2008.^[3] Ashcroft directed the video, and is the only member seen on the clip. The video depicts him singing while walking through a grove.

Track listings

The band released via their online store an exclusive live version of the song on 16 November. A day later both vinyl editions plus the CD-single and digital bundle were available.

UK promo CD^[4]

1. "Rather Be" (Radio Edit) - 4:01
2. "Rather Be" (Album Version) - 5:38

Digital Bundle

1. "Rather Be" (Edit) - 4:01
2. "All Night Long" - 7:26
3. "Major Force" - 5:52
4. "Love Is Noise" (Tom Middleton Remix) - 7:23

CD^[5]

1. "Rather Be" (radio edit) - 4:01
2. "Love Is Noise" (Tom Middleton remix) - 7:23

7" gatefold^[6]

1. "Rather Be" (radio edit) - 4:01
2. "Major Force" - 5:52

7" clear vinyl^[7]

1. "Rather Be" (radio edit) - 4:01
2. "All Night Long" - 7:26

Exclusive Download from Verve Official Online Store

1. "Rather Be" (Live at Rock A Field Festival, Luxembourg - 21/06/08) - 6:13

Exclusive Download from iTunes Store

1. "Rather Be" (Caned & Able remix) - 5:32

Charts

In other media

"Rather Be" is featured in the 2008 film Marley & Me, along with "Lucky Man"

References

External links

• Music video
• Lyrics