2005 to today -- Good songs

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The Panther

The Panther

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I'm pretty out of touch with all things U2 since 2005 or so, and I didn't think much of No Hits On The Horizon. It occurred to me today (I have some time on my hands right now) that I may have missed some good U2 songs of recent years, although I fear there haven't been many. I log in here occasionally and I sometimes see posters making references to songs I've never heard of, so I don't know if these are unrecorded songs performed live, B-sides, digital releases, or what.

By the way, I have digital files of "Mercy" (running 6:31) and "Smile" (3:18), which I think date from 2004. These are both good songs (despite some of the former's dodgier lyrics). Are these B-sides or what, and are these the only two (studio) versions of the songs?

Anyway, since 2005, these are the studio tracks I really like (that I'm aware of):
- The Saints Are Coming (yes, I like this single)
- No Line on the Horizon
- Magnificent
- White As Snow
- Cedars of Lebanon
- Winter (I have a low-quality file running 6:18 -- is the the only released version?)

Umm... that seems to be it! (And no, I don't like 'Moment of Surrender' or ' Breathe'.) So, what I'm wondering is, are there more recent tracks, after the album, that are circulating, which are really good? Thanks.
 
There won't be good songs on the new album, so I don't know why this thread is in WTAHNN
 
Fez - Being Porn
City Of Blinding Lights
Disappearing Act
Neon Lights (cover)
 
The Panther said:
I'm pretty out of touch with all things U2 since 2005 or so, and I didn't think much of No Hits On The Horizon. It occurred to me today (I have some time on my hands right now) that I may have missed some good U2 songs of recent years, although I fear there haven't been many. I log in here occasionally and I sometimes see posters making references to songs I've never heard of, so I don't know if these are unrecorded songs performed live, B-sides, digital releases, or what.

By the way, I have digital files of "Mercy" (running 6:31) and "Smile" (3:18), which I think date from 2004. These are both good songs (despite some of the former's dodgier lyrics). Are these B-sides or what, and are these the only two (studio) versions of the songs?

Anyway, since 2005, these are the studio tracks I really like (that I'm aware of):
- The Saints Are Coming (yes, I like this single)
- No Line on the Horizon
- Magnificent
- White As Snow
- Cedars of Lebanon
- Winter (I have a low-quality file running 6:18 -- is the the only released version?)

Umm... that seems to be it! (And no, I don't like 'Moment of Surrender' or ' Breathe'.) So, what I'm wondering is, are there more recent tracks, after the album, that are circulating, which are really good? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'd start with all of the songs on HTDAAB and NLOTH. The only crap U2 song I can think of from 2005 to today was Smile.
 
Niceman said:
I'd start with all of the songs on HTDAAB and NLOTH. The only crap U2 song I can think of from 2005 to today was Smile.
Click to expand...
Obviously, I've heard the albums (and HTAAB is before 2005). I'm thinking of more obscure songs that have, frankly, passed me by due to lack of interest. There was a the Spider-man one, right? And weren't there songs about Glastonbury and some other stuff? C'mon people, deal me in.
 
Beyond the albums...

I like the alternate version of No Line on the Horizon.
Every Breaking Wave seems like a classic in the making.
Tower of Song is a cool cover of a Leonard Cohen classic
Soon is great
 
The Panther said:
Obviously, I've heard the albums (and HTAAB is before 2005). I'm thinking of more obscure songs that have, frankly, passed me by due to lack of interest. There was a the Spider-man one, right? And weren't there songs about Glastonbury and some other stuff? C'mon people, deal me in.
Click to expand...

The following come to mind, including covers...

Window in the Skies
The Saints are Coming (though I'd prefer to forget this one)
The Ballad of Ronnie Drew
I Believe in Father Christmas
Winter (two versions exist)
Glastonbury
Mercy
Return of the Stingray Guitar
North Star
Every Breaking Wave
Boy Falls From The Sky (the only Spider-Man song written by all of U2; also, played live by all of U2)
Rise Above (I believe the studio recording has Bono and Edge in it; it was written by Bono and Edge)
 
The Panther said:
Obviously, I've heard the albums (and HTAAB is before 2005). I'm thinking of more obscure songs that have, frankly, passed me by due to lack of interest. There was a the Spider-man one, right? And weren't there songs about Glastonbury and some other stuff? C'mon people, deal me in.
Click to expand...

I've seen you on these boards a lot so the premise of this thread confuses me. Anyway, Spiderman was a musical and had a whole soundtrack album written by Bono and the Edge. I like a few of the songs, but it's not B&E's best work.

Maybe the best obscure songs of the last decade have been the extra songs on the remasters.
 
Digitize did a good job of summarizing, but I'll chime in.

Boy Falls From The Sky - Only U2 song from Spiderman. It's quite good.
And there were several that were performed on the 360 tour that were new.
Glastonbury...it was pretty much cock rock crap.
Every Breaking Wave...pretty boring.
Return of the Stingray Guitar...instrumental
North Star...bo-ring
Those non-released tracks they played live on 360 were pretty underwhelming to me.
Soon was actually released and it is excellent.

There are also the HTDAAB leftovers like Native Son, Xanax and Wine and Smile. There's Levitate (ATYCLB leftover) and a few others, all these are from the digital box set, so since you've heard Smile, I'd assume you've heard these others.
 
I feel like I'm one of the very, very few who likes it! :lol:

I think the studio version is awful, but I think the live version they did at the Superdome is pretty great, and if I'm in the right frame of mind, I find it moving - the New Orleans horns, "... Please! I am an American!"

It's the whole Katrina thing - even 7 years later, I find myself having weird emotional reactions to references to it, even though I was (at best) very indirectly impacted by it.

Plus, the live version just had more punch.
 
Fez - Being Born and Unknown Caller excited me immensely at first. The makings of great songs there. But the concept is somehow lost.

Breathe is a mighty fine song.
 
Since U2 released Bomb in late 2004, I'll start from there:

-Vertigo
-Miracle Drug
-Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own
-Love and Peace (or else)
-City of Blinding Lights
-Man and a Woman
-Crumbs From Your Table
-Original of the Species
-Instant Karma (John Lennon cover)
-No Line on the Horizon
-Magnificent
-Moment of Surrender
-Unknown Caller
-Breathe
-Fez- Being Born
 
corianderstem said:
I feel like I'm one of the very, very few who likes it! :lol:

I think the studio version is awful, but I think the live version they did at the Superdome is pretty great, and if I'm in the right frame of mind, I find it moving - the New Orleans horns, "... Please! I am an American!"

It's the whole Katrina thing - even 7 years later, I find myself having weird emotional reactions to references to it, even though I was (at best) very indirectly impacted by it.

Plus, the live version just had more punch.
Click to expand...

count me in, cori! :D


i'll have to listen to the live version again

but i love it (which i guess is the studio version) esp with the Katrina video... for me>very moving
 
adam3000 said:
Funny. Crap to one person, is treasure to another. Smile is one of my favorite B Sides.
Click to expand...

:up: love that track. Cut "A Man and a Woman" & "OOTS" and keep Smile and Mercy and HTDAAB is a different beast altogether.

Fez-Being Born is a gorgeous slice of TUF-like goodness. NLOTH needed more tracks in this vein
 
Registered Dude said:
Every Breaking Wave seems like a classic in the making.
/QUOTE]

I wonder if we will EVER get to hear a final version of this song as part of a proper release? It would be such a shame if U2 totally forgot about that tune. I love EBW very much.

I'm a fan of their 2000s work there are so many great songs that mean a big deal to me.

OOTS is probably one of my favs. The new, accoustic version that was just released by Bono and Egde reminded me again of how great that song is.

But sinde we're talking about 2005 to today here, I must say that I still enjoy most of NLOTH, especially the more atmospheric songs.
Click to expand...
 
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