As the weeks go by since this album was released my initial opinion that this could be the best U2 song released in the last couple of decades becomes solidified into certainty.
It doesn't do anything new for U2 - in my opinion it very much uses all the same navigational tool that takes them to their true heart - atmospheric, filtering musicianship, gloomy yet heartfelt all the while accompanied by a trickle of melancholy that becomes a flood when Edge really takes off about a minute or two before the end of the track.
It brings Songs of Experience into the aphotic zone and the pensive lyrics only serve to deepen the atmosphere further with it's very honest and personal reflection. It's no surprise that a lot of people have been able to relate to this song. It proves Bono's knack for taking his doubtful insecurities and laying them out so nakedly to the extent that it forces the listener to take the song to their heart.
And at heart that's who I believe Bono really is. To a lot of people out there they see him as a posturing, pompous blowhard (and he certainly presents himself that way...) but behind all that is a figure who harbors the many doubts, insecurities and worry that consumes many human souls out there. Songs like The Little Things allow us to hear that true voice of his and it's that honesty that has made U2 become the great band they are.
It doesn't do anything new for U2 - in my opinion it very much uses all the same navigational tool that takes them to their true heart - atmospheric, filtering musicianship, gloomy yet heartfelt all the while accompanied by a trickle of melancholy that becomes a flood when Edge really takes off about a minute or two before the end of the track.
It brings Songs of Experience into the aphotic zone and the pensive lyrics only serve to deepen the atmosphere further with it's very honest and personal reflection. It's no surprise that a lot of people have been able to relate to this song. It proves Bono's knack for taking his doubtful insecurities and laying them out so nakedly to the extent that it forces the listener to take the song to their heart.
And at heart that's who I believe Bono really is. To a lot of people out there they see him as a posturing, pompous blowhard (and he certainly presents himself that way...) but behind all that is a figure who harbors the many doubts, insecurities and worry that consumes many human souls out there. Songs like The Little Things allow us to hear that true voice of his and it's that honesty that has made U2 become the great band they are.