U2, in my mind, has to be one of the greatest bands in recent memory. I think this because they have stayed consistent AND at the same time, treaded new ground. And also U2 still consists of all it's o.g. members. I saw U2 in concert in 87, and it was one of the best concerts I had ever seen, and I've seen a lot of concerts. Anyway, U2 has many good songs, but here are two that are faves of mine:

"Two Hearts Beat As One" came out in 83 and the brilliant "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" in 84. "Two Hearts" is powerful, funky, and EXTREMLY danceable all at the same time. This song gives a heavy nod to Chic. There is such an urgency in the band's playing and Bono's singing. They sound as though their lives depends on it. The last 120 seconds of this song is smoking! And then their is the MAJESTIC "Pride (In The Name Of Love)". I think this song is one of the greatest songs ever, by anyone. It was written about and dedicated to the great Martin Luther King Jr. Even though this fact has been heavily documented in Rolling Stone, Spin, VH1, books on U2, etc, it still seems that not a lot of folks are hip to this. A shame really. "Early morning, April 4, a shot rings out in the Memphis sky. Free at last, they took your life. But they could not take your pride." On the same album "The Unforgettable Fire", their is another song dedicated to King titled "MLK". Also on the 12' single of "Pride" on the back of the cover is a huge picture of MLK. The week of MLK's birthday across the nation, teachers in schools should play this song and tell the kids who this song is about. When they have marches celebrating MLK's birthday, they should play this song right along with Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday To Ya". It speaks volumes about a non black Irish band who so openly showed their love and respect for a black man.

I was a big U2 fan for a while too. I'm waiting for a kick ass compilation that includes early stuff as well as the more recent stuff.

I like many of their songs. But "Mysterious Ways" sticks out in mind for some strange reason. When I think of this song I associate it with when I was on Broadway down by the World Trade Center years ago and heard it on my walkman. I love the part where Bono goes:

If you want to kiss the sky
Better learn how to kneel
(On your knees boy)

Maybe I'm reading way too much into it, but it's always had a sexual connotation for me.

Yes, I know what the song is about, but that's a simplistic line in it.

Supernova said:

Well, they give a date "April 4 " and a place "Memphis sky". The whole song is about MLK. When the band visited The Chicago Peace Museum, a major section is dedicated to King's life and his work. This inspired U2 to write "Pride".

I've always loved Pride (In The Name Of Love), and (I gotta duck, in case okaypimpin is around) I would actually rather hear That every year instead of "Happy Birthday To Ya"--I Love what Stevie did for that day, I just never liked it as a song...

paligap said:

Yeah, please don't let pimpin hear that!

blackguitaristz said:

I know.

Okay I feel really stupid because I never knew this and I listen to that song pretty frequently.

psykosoul said:

Nah brah, don't feel like that. I'm just glad u know now. That's why I wrote this thread, so more people would know about it. But u know how some folks are, their hip to it, but they pray nobody will ever talk about it. Sweep it under the rug type of thing. U can't imagine how many folks will swear up and down that the song ISN'T about MLK and that the other song on the album titled "MLK" doesn't stand for Martin Luther King. They would deny it if Bono came to their doorstep and told them so. Same people that can't stand hearing The Stones or The Beatles say who their influences are. They don't want to hear about it. Same thing.

I need to check the title, but there is a book about the spiritual journey of U2. Many of their songs are spiritually based, and quite often Christian, though this probably could be read in more generic terms in their songs. "On your knees, boy" was not about sex, but about prayer.
Like I said, I will find the book. Songs like "Pride" are even used in contemporary worship, because they are identifyable for younger people today.

bluesbaby said:

Like I said, I'm probably reading too much into it.

Oh, and when I learned "Pride" was about MLK, I liked them even more.

psykosoul said:

It's been well known for years. Not a dunce, but where have you been?

Supernova said:

a LOT of people don't know this or ,hell,what a lot of u2 songs are about.I think thre average music consumer may not be that political or even care to find out what these or a lot of songs are about.This is why pop music makes so much money...it's simple and easy.All you have to say is that you love someone or want sex or want money and they can dig it.But deep meanings or feelings in good-feeling music is so cool to me.This is why I like a lot of roots reggae and music by The Clash ,Public Enemy,and some others.I like the statements and then they package it in a groove that is easily digested.

Hip to the tunes and what they're about.

It's probably a good thing for the younger fans of U2, or just the songs, who pay attention to the lyrics and might not otherwise be aware of the history they are based upon.

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

rockwilder said:

I've never encountered them, if you're talking about us old folks who grew up listening to this song from it's release over 20 years ago.

hell,what a lot of u2 songs are about.I think thre average music consumer may not be that political or even care to find out what these or a lot of songs are about.

You're preaching to the congregation. But keep in mind how old the song is, I'm not talking about "those kids today."

And it's really not political, it's a tribute, historical, and social song that also contains a reference to Jesus Christ: "One man betrayed with a kiss"...if you're familiar with the Biblical story of Christ.

`
[Edited 9/15/04 6:45am]

Supernova said:[quote]

rockwilder said:

The reference to Jesus Christ is true. Bono has also said that he had always thought of MLK to be such a godly man and the epitome of peace and that he actually died for peace and because of his fight for peace and equality. So he just tied the references together.

blackguitaristz said:

Which is why I said that lyric about not being able to take MLK's pride was simplistic. Well meaning, yes.

It also contains lyrics about a man being caught on a barbed wire fence. It's a song that is about the sacrifices people have made for just causes, and the absolute ultimate sacrifice is giving up your life for it. Like Christ and MLK.

Supernova said:

Yep.

Everybody giving up their thoughts on "Pride" is beautiful. It's well deserved. Nobody likes "Two Hearts Beat As One"? That's a staight jam! I thinks it's U2's funkiest cut to date. They're acting a fool on that!

I haven't listened to "Pride" in along time, but I used to listen to "The Unforgettable Fire" over and over again when I was younger.

Funny, I used to be a U2 fan a LONG time ago, and had all their albums, but then I guess I just lost interest around the time "Rattle and Hum" came out. Just last week though, I pulled out "The Joshua Tree" and have been playing it all week. It really is an amazing album.

blackguitaristz said:

I agree with you on "Two Hearts..".I often mouth the bass and drum lock .It is one of my earliest memories of a bass being played like that.He was really strong and aggressive and using a pick.The Edge is just always great.That is def one of my essential u2 cuts.And Bono's vocals just soar.I remember the image of them being outside in the cold and he's singing about the warmth of love.Cool.

My sister was HUGE fan back in the day, from their second LP on. So I listened to them an awful lot. The song Seconds did it for me, and all my siter's live tapes. My other sister carrie dit thorugh.

I still have loads of their maxi's, becuz B-side then still MEANT something back then.

Becuz I stayed in the music-biz I was able to get into their new groove way easier than both my sisters. Songs like One kept my sisters lingering, but U2 lost them definately with Zooropa, the album that affirmed that I like artists in motion, so to speak. The song on that album called Daddy's Gonna Pay for Your Crashed Car firmly grounded my feelings on them; U2 is a kewl band.
I even forgave Bono his ventures into rock stardom; it was always done in fun.

But then, I must admit, they also lost me for a while. Not becuz they changed, but because they kinda became old men, like the Rolling Stones. Charicatures of themselves. The album Pop did not contain ANYTHING that I deemd interesting.

Their last album is desribed as a return to their old form and indeed it got the attention of the people that liked them in the old days, my sisters included. even my mom played that album.

So U2 have become a sort of Rock Gods and I cannot wait until their new album.....even though some French friends offered me a tape.... I said no. Stupid huh?

we all know you have that tape, Gooey!! You never say no.....
[Edited 9/16/04 2:49am]

abierman said:

Yes I do

gooeythehamster said:

Liar, you....!!!!!

abierman said:

Believe me, if I had a copy, you, Tron and Noepie would be the first to get a call and a copy of my copy...

abierman said:

Believe me, if I had a copy, you, Tron and Noepie would be the first to get a call and a copy of my copy...