No sex on recent U2 releases

[ozeeko]

One thing I've noticed about the last two albums is that there's no sex in the music. Not just lyrically, but also musically. There's none of that U2 erotica that was prevailent on certain tracks ranging from UF thru POP.

Even BOY and WAR had its moments (An Cat Dubh, Two Hearts)

And October (Gloria maybe???)

On ATYCLB the closest thing to a sexual vibe is "In A Little While". It's got Bono's passionate soulful delivery and a sensual rhythm section...and "Wild Honey" could pass for slightly sexual.

On the new album there's virtually nothing that could be considered sexual. If "A Man And A Woman" gets u in the mood, well then that's ure problem.

Anyway, it's just an observation I've made. What do you think?

 

[redkat]

what about OOTS

plenty of people here think it's sexual

http://forum.interference.com/t144901.html

 

[catlhere]

I think I would most likely be grossed out at now-and-days Bono singing about "burning inside" someone.

I would suspect they're singing about what they know and love most right now, "freedom has a sent" "you are the first one of your kind", i.e. their children, also God alot too.

Oh and starving African kids.

 

[t8thgr8]

yeah but thats boring. leave the kids at home. and youd be grossed out? why??
cuz hes a 45 yr old man? wow yucky

 

[BVS]

I really don't think there's much sex at all in the 80's U2, even U2 themselves admitted AB was the first time they really found sex in their music.

I think the sex in 00's is very little but it's sneaks in every once in awhile.

Songs like Wild Honey, Big Girls, GBHF, but Bomb seems more focused on global and bigger subjects...

Although a friend of mine told me he saw a stripper dancing to Love and Peace or Else...I thought to each it's own.

 

[ozeeko]

what about OOTS

plenty of people here think it's sexual

http://forum.interference.com/t144901.html

So Bono wants to fuck Edge's daughter?

Just kidding. I know Bono said he eroticized the lyrics which were originally meant for Edge's daughter...but I still don't get any kind of lustful or romantic feeling listening to it. It seems like more of a "do your own thing and forget what others think" kinda song.

 

[ozeeko]

I really don't think there's much sex at all in the 80's U2, even U2 themselves admitted AB was the first time they really found sex in their music.

I think the sex in 00's is very little but it's sneaks in every once in awhile.

Songs like Wild Honey, Big Girls, GBHF, but Bomb seems more focused on global and bigger subjects...

Although a friend of mine told me he saw a stripper dancing to Love and Peace or Else...I thought to each it's own.

I agree lyrically there wasn't anything happening in the early 80's lyrics that would be obviously sexual, but Unforgettable Fire's sound is very dreamy porn-like IMO. Songs like Promenade, 4th of July, the title track and Sort Of Homecoming hold some kind of Kama Sutra quality. Joshua Tree has WIth Or Without You. I mean even the video points to a sexual nature. And other songs like Trip Thru Your Wires flirt with sexual demons. Not to mention the B sides. Spanish Eyes, Deep in the Heart.. jeez all of them were sexually based. Rattle and Hum has sex in the lyrics and music...Desire, Hawkmoon, All I Want Is You, Heartland... Achtung is obvious, Zooropa had sex in lyrics and music, and POP speaks for itself.

 

[Dorian Gray]

"lay down... lay your sweet lovely on the ground...." is pretty sexual. then again, it could be a reference to guns.

 

[catlhere]

yeah but thats boring. leave the kids at home. and youd be grossed out? why??
cuz hes a 45 yr old man? wow yucky

Well it's kinda like that scene in The Wedding Singer, where Robbie thinks it's cool and fulfilling to be a ladies man in his 30's or 40's and the friend replies with, "do you know what happened to Fonzie and Vinnie Barbarino? They're shows got cancelled, because no one wants to see a 40 year old guy hitting on chicks" So I was just making note that if new music was as overtly erotic as it was earlier in their career, it would just be uncomfortable. Can you really imagine a greying Bono writing a lyric today about "getting hot in a photo booth". I mean honestly. Although I'm sure some PLEBA posters wouldn't mind.

So I think they're basically moving towards what their current lifestyle entails of. Bono's causes(Crumbs), God (Yahweh), children (OOTS), rediscovery of self, perhaps midlife crisis (New York). Besides, they still have the back catelogue of love/sexy songs, I just doubt they will be making any new ones any time soon.

 

[BVS]

but Unforgettable Fire's sound is very dreamy porn-like IMO.

You're watching some very interesting porn then.

Joshua Tree has WIth Or Without You. I mean even the video points to a sexual nature. And other songs like Trip Thru Your Wires flirt with sexual demons. Not to mention the B sides. Spanish Eyes, Deep in the Heart.. jeez all of them were sexually based. Rattle and Hum has sex in the lyrics and music...Desire, Hawkmoon, All I Want Is You, Heartland...

Yeah, I think U2 started playing with sex in their music during JT, I really don't see any sex in WOWY, but the video, yes. But I agree they may have started with the B-sides; Luminous Times and Spanish Eyes.

But R&H is the first time we really start to see it on an album.

 

[STING2]

Well it's kinda like that scene in The Wedding Singer, where Robbie thinks it's cool and fulfilling to be a ladies man in his 30's or 40's and the friend replies with, "do you know what happened to Fonzie and Vinnie Barbarino? They're shows got cancelled, because no one wants to see a 40 year old guy hitting on chicks" So I was just making note that if new music was as overtly erotic as it was earlier in their career, it would just be uncomfortable. Can you really imagine a greying Bono writing a lyric today about "getting hot in a photo booth". I mean honestly. Although I'm sure some PLEBA posters wouldn't mind.

So I think they're basically moving towards what their current lifestyle entails of. Bono's causes(Crumbs), God (Yahweh), children (OOTS), rediscovery of self, perhaps midlife crisis (New York). Besides, they still have the back catelogue of love/sexy songs, I just doubt they will be making any new ones any time soon.

Well, Aerosmith revived their career after they hit 40 by talking about the wango tango. How many movies do we have of 40+ male actors(Harrison Ford, Robert Redford) going after women in the early 20s. Hell look at Tom Cruise and his soon wife to be. You could receive nearly a massive some of money for snapping exlusive photo's of them together. Now that I think about it, the old man and the young women senerio is what are culture pushes.

As for U2, they have never really been an "erotic" band musically or lyrically. Yes, there is Achtung Baby and perhaps traces here and there, but the band have always been more about spirituality and political causes that help other people from Day 1 than anything else.

 

[ozeeko]

If Bono wants to write a sexual lyric, it doesn't have to be about him. He can still depict sexuality and create characters and situations around sexuality. It doesn't have to be like "I'm 45 and I want to bang this broad".

 

[BVS]

If Bono wants to write a sexual lyric,

I think this is the key line.

 

[jonnytakeawalk]

On the new album there's virtually nothing that could be considered sexual. If "A Man And A Woman" gets u in the mood, well then that's ure problem.

Still it's the first U2 song where Bono has actually said the word sex

 

[DreamOutLoud13]

Rattle and Hum has sex in the lyrics and music...Desire, Hawkmoon, All I Want Is You, Heartland...

Don't forget God Part II!

Can you really imagine a greying Bono writing a lyric today about "getting hot in a photo booth". I mean honestly. Although I'm sure some PLEBA posters wouldn't mind.

And as for ATYCLB, Elevation, anyone? That song's pretty hot, for post-2000 U2 anyway.

 

[Pop Artist]

"lay down... lay your sweet lovely on the ground...." is pretty sexual. then again, it could be a reference to guns.

Pretty much the whole song except "daughters of Zion" and "Abraham's sons" is like that. I especially like:

I don’t know if I can take it
I’m not easy on my knees
Here’s my heart you can break it

I need some release, release, release

 

[BVS]

And as for ATYCLB, Elevation, anyone? That song's pretty hot, for post-2000 U2 anyway.

Nothing says sex like, "A mole living in a hole"

 

[ozeeko]

I think this is the key line.

Um, I was just pointing out that a man in his mid forties can still write something sexual.

 

[BVS]

Um, I was just pointing out that a man in his mid forties can still write something sexual.

I realize that...

 

[DreamOutLoud13]

Nothing says sex like, "A mole living in a hole"

I was thinking more along the lines of "At the corner of your lips, as the orbit of your hips eclipse, you elevate my soul"


And now I'm reminded of a thread some months ago in It's A Musical Journey where someone was saying the first part of Kite sounded dirty...

 

[thrillme]

On the new album there's virtually nothing that could be considered sexual. If "A Man And A Woman" gets u in the mood, well then that's ure problem.

Problem?

That bassline alone is perfect, sit near a speaker with bass at it's highest.

"City of Blinding Lights" how it builds before the choruses...

Maybe you're just not listening to the right part of the songs.

Called the rhythm section for a reason, if you're looking for that in U2 songs...other than the few occasions Bono writes about it, you'll have to focus on the bass and drums. Though Edge has some guitar stuff that works too.

Strictly musically speaking, I think there's some good stuff on the last 3 albums.

*runs off before embarrassing self more*

 

[Ellay]

One thing I've noticed about the last two albums is that there's no sex in the music. Not just lyrically, but also musically. There's none of that U2 erotica that was prevailent on certain tracks ranging from UF thru POP.

Even BOY and WAR had its moments (An Cat Dubh, Two Hearts)

And October (Gloria maybe???)

On ATYCLB the closest thing to a sexual vibe is "In A Little While". It's got Bono's passionate soulful delivery and a sensual rhythm section...and "Wild Honey" could pass for slightly sexual.

On the new album there's virtually nothing that could be considered sexual. If "A Man And A Woman" gets u in the mood, well then that's ure problem.

Anyway, it's just an observation I've made. What do you think?

Yeah, I'd go along with this.

Whether it's a good or a bad thing is another question.

 

[ozeeko]

Re: Re: No sex on recent U2 releases

Problem?

That bassline alone is perfect, sit near a speaker with bass at it's highest.

"City of Blinding Lights" how it builds before the choruses...

Maybe you're just not listening to the right part of the songs.

Called the rhythm section for a reason, if you're looking for that in U2 songs...other than the few occasions Bono writes about it, you'll have to focus on the bass and drums. Though Edge has some guitar stuff that works too.

Strictly musically speaking, I think there's some good stuff on the last 3 albums.

*runs off before embarrassing self more*

That crack about A Man And A Woman wasn't meant to be offending. I was sorta kidding around. Sorry to all you lovers out there. I just find the song to be an embarrassing failed attempt at capturing a romantic feel and the chorus is way too mainstreamy for my taste.

Anyway, yea I recognize that the drums and bass provide the freakiness, and I even acknowledged that in some previous post somewhere up there.

I dunno, COBL doesn't strike me at all as sexual. Maybe in concert it has some orgasmic release, but on record it's like all foreplay and then uh oh limp dick followed by a closet homosexual's famous last words "oh you look so beautiful tonight" before finally coming out.

Compare that to WTSHNN which breaks down the door with a bleeding hard-on and makes pounding love to you all night long.

Let's discuss.

 

[hcbiggs2002]

One thing I've noticed about the last two albums is that there's no sex in the music. Not just lyrically, but also musically. There's none of that U2 erotica that was prevailent on certain tracks ranging from UF thru POP.

Even BOY and WAR had its moments (An Cat Dubh, Two Hearts)

And October (Gloria maybe???)

On ATYCLB the closest thing to a sexual vibe is "In A Little While". It's got Bono's passionate soulful delivery and a sensual rhythm section...and "Wild Honey" could pass for slightly sexual.

On the new album there's virtually nothing that could be considered sexual. If "A Man And A Woman" gets u in the mood, well then that's ure problem.

Anyway, it's just an observation I've made. What do you think?

What about Love and Peace or else?! That has, for me anyway, a definate "sexual vibe"!! I know the song isn't really about sexual love but the music has a definate sexual undercurrent! And I even have a short video clip of Bono gyrating he's hips in most provocative way during the first lines of the song "Lay down, Lay down, Lay your sweet lovely on the ground...."

edit:- I just read few of the other posts and I'm obviously not to only one!!

 

[BVS]

Re: Re: Re: No sex on recent U2 releases

That crack about A Man And A Woman wasn't meant to be offending. I was sorta kidding around. Sorry to all you lovers out there. I just find the song to be an embarrassing failed attempt at capturing a romantic feel and the chorus is way too mainstreamy for my taste.

Anyway, yea I recognize that the drums and bass provide the freakiness, and I even acknowledged that in some previous post somewhere up there.

I dunno, COBL doesn't strike me at all as sexual. Maybe in concert it has some orgasmic release, but on record it's like all foreplay and then uh oh limp dick followed by a closet homosexual's famous last words "oh you look so beautiful tonight" before finally coming out.

Compare that to WTSHNN which breaks down the door with a bleeding hard-on and makes pounding love to you all night long.

Let's discuss.

Hmmm, interesting post. It shows how some can find the complete opposite in a song that you yourself does...

As far as A Man and A Woman, I don't think he's trying to find a romantic feel at all. In fact the line "I could never take a chance, Of losing love to find romance" says it all. I think this is a very confusing line for many, in fact I've had more than one discussion with friends about this line. But to sum it up, I think this line is more about the true shape of love rather than sex or romance. It doesn't mean the absence of sex, just that sex isn't the focus...

I find your closeted homosexual reference to be completely out of line and lacking the true purpose of the song. In may be a very simplistic chourus, but it has one of the best closing lines ever, "Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel, Luckily". And I think that line sums up the song. So if grace is sexy, than that song is sexy.

And Horses(which is one of my favorites) may be sexy sonically, but there's absolutely nothing sexy about the lyrics.

 

[Meghan]

Re: Re: Re: No sex on recent U2 releases

I dunno, COBL doesn't strike me at all as sexual. Maybe in concert it has some orgasmic release, but on record it's like all foreplay and then uh oh limp dick followed by a closet homosexual's famous last words "oh you look so beautiful tonight" before finally coming out.

Let's discuss.

Okay.

I found that comment quite offensive. I realise you were making a joke, but do you really need to isolate people to do that?

 

[ozeeko]

Re: Re: Re: Re: No sex on recent U2 releases

Okay.

I found that comment quite offensive. I realise you were making a joke, but do you really need to isolate people to do that?

I was personifying two songs and comparing their sexual powers. I wasn't making a statement about homosexuals. If you were offended I am sorry.

 

[Achtung_Bebe]

It's late and I didn't read the entire thread but anyway--not sure if it was intentional on U2's part but I find "Fast Cars" gets me in the mood

perhaps that's an example of a song that has a sexual vibe but not necessarily sexual lyrics.

 

[ozeeko]

FAST CARS is the shit! I could see someone doing a sexy hula dance to that groove. Larry Mullen said no sex tho, so it was left off the album. He's so prude. HAHA

 

[Meghan]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: No sex on recent U2 releases

I was personifying two songs and comparing their sexual powers. I wasn't making a statement about homosexuals. If you were offended I am sorry.

It's alright, just the way the comment came across seemed to suggest that a homosexual owning up to their sexuality was in some way a wimpy sort of event, lacking any kind of power.

But I forgive you. I know you didn't mean anything by it.