This was a pale reaction to the Beatles masterpiece Sgt. Peppers.
In comparison this sounds like some kid pounding out chopstix and the background vocals sound equally childish.

The Stones would definately hit their stride a couple of years later though. They would peter out by the mid 70'> and they've been living off nothing but their name ever since and touring like a bunch of pathetic old geezers. You know, like The Rattling Bones and the Steel Wheelchair tour.

Ever notice how good RP is at eliciting the ole' "I don't care for _____ at all but this is kind of nice" reaction?

From the AMG bio page for the Verve:

Heralded by the smash "Bittersweet Symphony" — a single built around a looped sample of a symphonic recording of the Rolling Stones' "The Last Time" — Urban Hymns launched the Verve among the U.K.'s most popular bands; still, even at their peak, the curse of their past lingered on, as legal hassles awarded 100 percent of the song's publishing rights to ABKCO Music, which controls the Stones' back catalog.

I don't care for the Stones at all but this one is kind of nice.

It's the middle of the country, the stars are out and it's a cool winter night. The window is open and I've got the radio on somewhat low. And then this piano comes on...

It will always be a wonderful memory, even with those awkward atonal Ooooh-la-la-las.

I heard that the Verve paid royalties for use of this song on their (one) big hit (Bittersweet Symphony). But listening to that song, I just don't hear it. I guess it was strictly musical, not lyrical. During the bridge perhaps? Any thoughts?

The Stones, especially Jagger, wanted to market themselves, wanted to make money. The Beatles transcended that impulse; Stones never did.

OK song---but looking at that album cover, it's clear their attempt to ape "Sgt. Pepper" fell way short. And the fact that at least half the songs on this album were some of the biggest dreck they unleashed in the 60's, some of it due to the fact that the boys were tied up in court much of the summer, I think it's best to give this whole thing an eternal rest...

The irony of course was that the Beatles except for Ringo were working class stiffs and the Stones were basically a bunch of middle class kids playing at "bad boy". Still, while Brian Jones was with them, they produced some awesome music. Afterwords, it went downhill precipitously with a few exceptions.

I much prefer earlier Stones than most of the stuff they have had out. This is one of those songs. A song that isn't played all that often. Tasty!!

I don't think I'll ever understand the fascination with these guys.

I always wondered what ever happened to this band. They disappeared just about 1979 or so and never heard from them again...

I wanna know what vibe she's using to come in colors everywhere, cos NONE of mine have ever caused THAT reaction...... and I wanna come in colors, too!