John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 song: The Verve's 'Sonnet' explained

14 November 2024, 08:59

'Sonnet' by The Verve is the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024. Picture: Getty

By Hope Wilson

What is the John Lewis Christmas advert 2024 song and who performs it? Here is everything you need to know.

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The John Lewis Christmas advert for 2024 is here! Titled 'The Gifting Hour' and following the story of Sally as she searches for the perfect gift for her sister Lauren, the heartwarming advert is all about finding the "perfect gift" by "looking in the right places".

The song featured in this year's John Lewis advert is an acoustic version of 'Sonnet' by The Verve, performed by frontman Richard Ashcroft, bringing this emotional advert to life.

Listen to Heart Xmas on Global Player, the official Heart app

But what is the meaning behind 'Sonnet' by The Verve? Here's everything you need to know, explained.

Watch the John Lewis Christmas Ad 2024

What is the John Lewis Christmas advert song 2024?

This year's song is 'Sonnet' by The Verve. The tune was originally released in 1998 and is one of the tracks on their album Urban Hymns.

Written by singer Richard Ashcroft, 'Sonnet' wasn't originally meant to be released as a single, however the band's record label Hut were keen to release the song.

Due to this, only 5,000 copies of the single were produced, meaning the song only reached number 74 on the charts despite the intense radio airplay.

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Listen to 'Sonnet' by The Verve here:

The Verve - Sonnet

'Sonnet' holds a special meaning to Richard, with the singer telling Heart's sister station Radio X: "Songs like Sonnet… they’re so powerful, they’re beyond me and I think that’s an exciting thing."

Most recently 'Sonnet' appears on the soundtrack of the hit Netflix series One Day. The song is played during the scene in which lead characters Dex and Emma kiss in the maze at Tilly’s wedding reception.

Richard Ashcroft wrote 'Sonnet'. Picture: Alamy

'Sonnet' by The Verve lyrics explained

The true meaning behind 'Sonnet' by The Verve has not been explicitly revealed, as songwriter Richard Ashcroft has been very cryptic regarding its content.

During an interview with Songfacts, Richard was asked if the 'red box of memories' really exists, with the singer replying: "Yes, yeah there was. We even took a picture of it, actually. In England it came on an Urban Hymns deluxe thing at some point and I remember photographing the actual box for the sleeve."

However when quizzed on what the box was and who the friend is, Richard stated: "That's where the mystery has to stop for now, Scooby Doo! You haven't had your Scooby Snack yet. You meddling kids, we would have got away with that red box of memories!"