Bitter Sweet Symphony. This beautiful, timeless song turned 25 years (!) last month. I still remember buying the CD in a 4-story department store. It was the first CD I ever bought (apart from a single by Lisa Stansfield that I never listened to again). »Urban Hymns« was the name of the CD. Due to moving houses and youthful stupidity, I lost the first CD, then bought one again. Subsequently, I lost second CD. Bought yet another one. Up until today, I have one copy in my car, and one in my home. – Back in the days, in Germany, they called Richard Ashcroft »den schönsten häßlichsten Mann der Welt« – i.e. the most beautiful ugliest man on earth. In the end-1990s and early 2000s, his hair was goals and impacted men’s style all over Europe. His voice and his texts were impeccable. Their music, and Bitter Sweet Symphony in particular, have accompanied me in good times and bad. For me, Richard Ashcroft wrote a classic that still captures my ears and my heart. His poetic words – together with the powerful, thick layers of orchestra sound – form a blanket that wraps you into the most beautiful piece of music.
◉ 25 Years Ago: »Bitter Sweet Symphony«
photo | raimond klavins