Achtung Baby and The Rolling Stones influence

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mrphisto

Babyface
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When l first listened to Achtung Baby, I've noticed a prominent Rolling Stones influence on the record. The intro riff to "Until the End..." and "Ultra Violet" is a nod to "Rocks Off", and "Who's Gonna Ride..." is obviously U2's take on "Wild Horses" (from Sticky Fingers).

I've also read somewhere that "Even Better Than the Real Thing" was supposed to mimick an old Rolling Stones riff of which I'm not sure of. Anyone here mind sharing whatever it is that you know of (or have noticed) about this particular record?
 
When l first listened to Achtung Baby, I've noticed a prominent Rolling Stones influence on the record. The intro riff to "Until the End..." and "Ultra Violet" is a nod to "Rocks Off", and "Who's Gonna Ride..." is obviously U2's take on "Wild Horses" (from Sticky Fingers).

I've also read somewhere that "Even Better Than the Real Thing" was supposed to mimick an old Rolling Stones riff of which I'm not sure of. Anyone here mind sharing whatever it is that you know of (or have noticed) about this particular record?



I respectfully disagree... The only 'Rolling Stones" reference I can see 'Achtung Baby' and The Rolling Stones 'Exile On Main St' both have a collage of photos as their album artwork.

I don't agree that U2's "Who's Gonna Ride..." is their take on The Rolling Stones "Wild Horses". The only similarity seems in the title and both songs have acoustic guitar in them.

If you listen to any of the Achtung Baby sessions, "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" had two other titles "Morning Child" and "Don't Turn Around".

Morning Child/Don't Turn Around:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RwR98Jvr7s

I just don't hear The Rolling Stones "Wild Horses" in U2's "Who's Gonna Ride..." or in the it's earlier incarnations.


"Until The End of The World" and UltraViolet (Light My Way) being nods to "Rocks Off"? Again, I don't see it.

Rolling Stones "Rocks Off":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqk1kdjk5o0



"UltraViolet" was reworking of "Lady With The Spinning Head" which was a reworking of "Take You Down" - Which has the UV intro as the middle 8, features the seed to "Wake Up Dead Man" and the solo that is close to what The Edge played for "The Fly".


Take You Down:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U18vJM445-s

The intro to "UltraViolet" came from the bridge of the longer version of "...Spinning Head". And there the main 'riff' was born in "("Jitterbug Baby / I Got My High Heel Love".

Check 4:09 in on Lady With The Spinning Head - That is part of where UltraViolet came from:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rG7yBe_eI8


The 'riff' for "Until The End of the World" was used in a few different songs on the 'Salome/Achtung Baby Sessions tunes, starting as "I Feel Free"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqVnucoodDY


I mean no disrespect to your view, but to my ears -- "Rocks Off" doesn't sound similar to "Until the End of the World" nor "UltraViolet (Light My Way)", nor their earlier versions.

 
What I meant by a nod to Rocks Off is I meant the intro riff sounds similar (E, Esus, E).

As for "Who's Gonna Ride...", the chord progression is actually quite similar to "Wild Horses" (both songs are in G major). Plus, they covered "Paint It, Black" for the CD single. My 0.02.
 
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