The U2 Appreciation Thread

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duchess of malfi
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The U2 Appreciation Thread

Post by duchess of malfi »

They have long been one of my favorite bands, with many meaningful songs that speak to me.
Any other fans here?
Love as thou wilt.

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Post by Brinn »

Love em. Too many songs to even begin to list favorites...but I'll try anyway;

Red Hill Mining Town

Luminous Times

Spanish Eyes

In a Little While

The Fly

Hawkmoon 269

40

Bad

Please

So Cruel

Ultraviolet

Lemon

One Tree Hill

Miss Sarajevo

Gone

Kite

And probably a few others as well. I've seen every tour (most tours multiple times) since "War". Spectacular Band...Love em!
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. John Stuart Mill
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Post by Furls Fire »

I love U2 :) I think my favorite song of their's is this...

One

Is it getting better?
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you,
Now you've got someone to blame.
You say one love, one life,
When it's one need in the night.
One love, we get to share it.
It leaves you, baby,
If you don't care for it.
Did I dissapoint you?
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without.
Well, it's too late tonight
To drag the past out into the light.
We're one, but we're not the same.
We get to carry each other.
Have you come here for forgiveness?
Have you come to raise the dead?
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head?
Did I ask too much?
More than a lot?
You gave me nothing...
Now that's all I've got.
We're one, but we're not the same.
Well, we hurt each other,
And we do it again.
You say love is a temple...
Love the higher law.
Love is a temple
Love the higher law..
You ask me to enter,
But then you make me crawl.
And I can't be holding on
To what you've got,
When all you've got is hurt.
One love, one blood, one life,
You've got to do what you should.
One life with each other,
Sisters, brothers.
One life but we're not the same.
We get to carry each other,
Carry each other....one, one


:)
And I believe in you
altho you never asked me too
I will remember you
and what life put you thru.


~fly fly little wing, fly where only angels sing~

~this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you~

...for then I could fly away and be at rest. Sweet rest, Mom. We all love and miss you.

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U2

Post by matrixman »

I admire U2 greatly for their music and longevity, and their ability to stay fresh and innovative despite their longevity.

The one U2 work that flabbergasted me (yes, flabbergasted) more than any other was Achtung Baby. It's a visionary work of music that easily ranks among the greatest in rock history. Its songs evoked a sense of anxiety and confusion about the future more effectively than just about any other rock album I knew of.

I think it was entirely fitting that the 90's began with a work as epochal, daring and forward-looking as Achtung Baby. We are talking about arguably the most significant rock album of the 20th century's final decade.

In Achtung Baby I got the sense of a band that was eager to embrace the coming end of the millenium. U2 revelled in ambiguity and anarchy: a state of mind perhaps resulting from collapse of the old order and the subsequent search for new beliefs, new meanings.

Basically, the band was making the rules up as it went along: it re-thought everything about the way it made music and the way it presented itself to the media. In the process U2 transformed itself into a virtually new band. The comparisons to the Beatles in this respect are not at all superfluous: like the Fab Four, U2 risked drastically changing its public persona while at the pinnacle of critical and commercial success. Like The Beatles, U2 successfully conceived a new identity that reflected a new era not just in rock music but in the world as a whole.

Achtung Baby (and perhaps Zooropa even more so) was a reflection of the temperament of the 90's: people and organizations constantly "upgrading" or "downgrading" or discarding old identities altogether and adopting new ones like a game of musical chairs. That remains true to this day: a steady bombardment of ideas and theories is forcing us to see the world in new and more complex ways. I think for the better. U2 has embraced this way of things with open arms. The band and the people it surrounds itself with are bursting with ideas: these four musicians are taking--and at times wrestling--rock n roll into the 21st century.

Has anyone here read Bill Flanagan's U2: At The End Of The World? It is the best book about any rock band I have ever read. Flanagan was allowed to be with the band during the time of Achtung Baby and Zooropa, as U2 was struggling to make sense of the chaos around the world and the artistic chaos within itself. Wonderful stuff here!
Last edited by matrixman on Mon Feb 02, 2004 4:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Fist and Faith »

Fire,
That's my favorite song of theirs too! :)

Matrixman,
I don't know the whole album very well, so I can't say much about your post. But you've proven your brilliance elsewhere, so I'll take your word for it. :D

My favorite album, of the only several I know, is The Joshua Tree. With or Without You, Running to Stand Still, and Mothers of the Disappeared are just incredible songs!
All lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest
-Paul Simon

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Post by aTOMiC »

I became an instant U2 fan when they first appeared. Just about every song from BOY to The Joshua Tree I thoroughly enjoyed. It was with The Joshua Tree that I first noted U2's evolution toward a change in style that sent them in a very different direction than what I had been accustomed to. I respect the band for what they have achieved and I applaud the development they have shown as musicians and songwriters. There was something raw and simplistic that appealed to me about their earlier work and when they began to depart from that, my interest waned.
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Post by Furls Fire »

I was moved to tears on Super Sunday 2002 when they performed at half time, and scrolled all the names of the victims of 9/11/2001. It was one of the most moving things I have ever seen. I will never forget it.
And I believe in you
altho you never asked me too
I will remember you
and what life put you thru.


~fly fly little wing, fly where only angels sing~

~this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you~

...for then I could fly away and be at rest. Sweet rest, Mom. We all love and miss you.

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Post by aTOMiC »

That was very moving. It would be hard for me to forget that as well.
"If you can't tell the difference, what difference does it make?"
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Post by Furls Fire »

Direct TV has been playing a Freeview event of this year's Dublin concert. I taped it last weekend. It was only an hour, but they did all my favorite songs.

For any of you who have Direct TV check out the pay per view channels, I think it's 103, it will be playing every day until the 31st. :)

Oh, they are also showing Pearl Jam as well. I taped that too. :)
And I believe in you
altho you never asked me too
I will remember you
and what life put you thru.


~fly fly little wing, fly where only angels sing~

~this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you~

...for then I could fly away and be at rest. Sweet rest, Mom. We all love and miss you.

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Post by DukkhaWaynhim »

U2 is my favorite band. I, too, have nothing but praise for Achtung Baby!, though I like their latest disc, All That You Can't Leave Behind, almost as well.

Good, solid rock music, with very well-written lyrics.

Now, my wife is a complete U2 nut, and I do mean complete. On the surface you could say that we share this liking for U2, but I think that doesn't do justice to the way she feels about them ;)

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Post by DukkhaWaynhim »

As a matter of fact, we liked the song Grace so much, that if we ever get around to having children, Grace is our choice for a girl's name. Either that or Infelice ;)

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Post by matrixman »

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Last edited by matrixman on Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by dANdeLION »

Achtung Baby is definitely underrated. I remember the first time I heard the on the radio, playing "Out of Control". I think I actually called Tom to rave about it! I saw them at the end of the "Unforgettable Fire" tour. It was an awesome experience. I have so much respect for those guys. "40" is probably my favorite song, but I like so many, it's hard to say for sure.
Dandelion don't tell no lies
Dandelion will make you wise
Tell me if she laughs or cries
Blow away dandelion


I'm afraid there's no denying
I'm just a dandelion
a fate I don't deserve.


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Post by aTOMiC »

War is my favorite U2 album.
* Sunday bloody sunday
* Seconds
* New year´s day
* Like a song...
* Drowning man
* The refugee
* Two hearts beat as one
* Red light
* Surrender
* "40"
Just about every track hits me just the right way. :-)
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Post by duchess of malfi »

Their new album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is yet another winner. :)

Here is one of my favorites of their lesser known songs:
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
You're dangerous 'cause you're honest
You're dangerous, you don't know what you want
Well you left my heart empty as a vacant lot
For any spirit to haunt
Hey hey sha la la
Hey hey

You're an accident waiting to happen
You're a piece of glass left in a beach
Well, you tell me things I know you're not supposed to
Then you leave me just out of reach

Hey hey sha la la
Hey hey sha la la

Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea?
Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna fall at the foot of thee?

Well you stole it 'cause I needed the cash
And you killed it 'cause I wanted revenge
Well you lied to me 'cause I asked you to
Baby, can we still be friends?

Hey hey sha la la
Hey hey sha la la

Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea?
Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna fall at the foot of thee?

Oh, the deeper I spin
Oh, the hunter will sin for your ivory skin
Took a drive in the dirty rain
To a place where the wind calls your name
Under the trees the river laughing at you and me
Hallelujah, heavens white rose
The doors you open
I just can't close

Don't turn around, don't turn around again
Don't turn around, your gypsy heart
Don't turn around, don't turn around again
Don't turn around, and don't look back
Come on now love, don't you look back!

Who's gonna ride your wild horses?
Who's gonna drown in your blue sea?
Who's gonna taste your salt water kisses?
Who's gonna take the place of me?

Who's gonna ride your wild horses?

Love as thou wilt.

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Post by Furls Fire »

They are being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. :)

As a side note: Bono is one of the many nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize for all his humanitarian work, which includes HIV/AIDS activism among other things. He's truly a wonderful person. :D :D
And I believe in you
altho you never asked me too
I will remember you
and what life put you thru.


~fly fly little wing, fly where only angels sing~

~this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you~

...for then I could fly away and be at rest. Sweet rest, Mom. We all love and miss you.

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Post by Cord Hurn »

U2 is a fantastic dynamic band, and I deeply regret never having seen them live!
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Post by sgt.null »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2lbiS1fr

Numb

Don't move
Don't talk out of time
Don't think
Don't worry
Everything's just fine
Just fine

Don't grab
Don't clutch
Don't hope for too much
Don't breathe
Don't achieve
Or grieve without leave

Don't check
Just balance on the fence
Don't answer
Don't ask
Don't try and make sense

Don't whisper
Don't talk
Don't run if you can walk
Don't cheat, compete
Don't miss the one beat

Don't travel by train
Don't eat
Don't spill
Don't piss in the drain
Don't make a will

Don't fill out any forms
Don't compensate
Don't cower
Don't crawl
Don't come around late
Don't hover at the gate

Don't take it on board
Don't fall on your sword
Just play another chord
If you feel you're getting bored

I feel numb
I feel numb
Too much is not enough
I feel numb

Don't change your brand
Don't listen to the band
Don't gape
Don't ape
Don't change your shape
Have another grape

Too much is not enough
I feel numb
I feel numb

Don't plead
Don't bridle
Don't shackle
Don't grind
Don't curve
Don't swerve
Lie, die, serve
Don't theorize, realize, polarize
Chance, dance,dismiss, apologize

Too much is not enough
I feel numb

Don't spy
Don't lie
Don't try
Imply
Detain
Explain
Start again

I feel numb

Don't triumph
Don't coax
Don't cling
Don't hoax
Don't freak
Peak
Don't leak
Don't speak

I feel numb

Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest
I feel numb
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest
I feel numb

Don't struggle
Don't jerk
Don't collar
Don't work
Don't wish
Don't fish
Don't teach
Don't reach

Too much is not enough

Don't borrow
Don't break
Don't fence
Don't steal
Don't pass
Don't press
Don't try
Don't feel

I feel numb

Don't touch
Don't dive
Don't suffer
Don't rhyme
Don't fantasize
Don't rise
Don't lie
Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest

Don't project
Don't connect
Protect
Don't expect
Suggest

I feel numb

Lenin, Marx
Marx, Lennon
Good Dog...
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Post by Cord Hurn »

Deeply tragic and breathtakingly beautiful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvUI-s4Azw4

[U2: Running To Stand Still]
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Post by dANdeLION »

Cord Hurn wrote:U2 is a fantastic dynamic band, and I deeply regret never having seen them live!
I only saw them once, on the Unforgettable Fire tour, and it was an experience unlike any other concert I've gone to.
Dandelion don't tell no lies
Dandelion will make you wise
Tell me if she laughs or cries
Blow away dandelion


I'm afraid there's no denying
I'm just a dandelion
a fate I don't deserve.


High priest of THOOOTP

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* This post carries Jay's seal of approval
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