Pearl Jam's Given To Fly vs. U2's City of Blinding Lights

[Zoots]

Both songs create a euphoric feeling of taking off into the stratosphere!

Choose.

 

[U2Man]

where's the: Why the hell should I choose? I hate both! option?

 

[Zoots]

where's the: Why the hell should I choose? I hate both! option?

um... then you have no reason to even enter the thread, let alone post or vote!

 

[BVS]

It really should be Given to Fly vs Going to Calfornia

 

[U2Man]

um... then you have no reason to even enter the thread, let alone post or vote!

 

[Zoots]

It really should be Given to Fly vs Going to Calfornia

As in Zeppelin? Why?

 

[xaviMF22]

where's the: Why the hell should I choose? I hate both! option?

 

[Zoots]

A wave came crashing like a fist to the jaw
Delivered him wings, "Hey, look at me now"
Arms wide open with the sea as his floor
Ohhhhhhh, power, ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

He's... flying... whooooooooooole…
Hiiiiiiiiigh.. flying... ohhhhhhhh

 

[xaviMF22]

I haven't even heard that Pearl Jam song....and I'll vote for it...

it can't be as bad as COBL

 

[djerdap]

As in Zeppelin? Why?

Because the verses sound exactly the same. Robert Plant even stated that they PJ ripped off their song.

And PJ in the coolest way played Given To Fly at the House of Blues 2005 show and then they've invited Robert Plant on stage and played Going to California.

I love City of Blinding Lights, it is my favorite song in the 00's.
Given To Fly was always an excellent song, but never a favorite IMO.

 

[LemonMelon]

Given To Fly is a good tune...but COBL is top 5 material for me...especially live, where it's unbelievably awesome.

 

[xaviMF22]

but COBL is top 5 material for me...especially live, where it's unbelievably awesome.

 

[Zoots]

Because the verses sound exactly the same. Robert Plant even stated that they PJ ripped off their song.

They sound similar but not entirely the same.

Spent my days with a woman unkind, Smoked my stuff and drank all my wine

The bold part sounds completely different from how Given To Fly's lines end.

 

[LemonMelon]

Oh. You. Look. So. BEAU-TI-FUL. TONIGHT.

 

[Zoots]

Oh. You. Look. So. BEAU-TI-FUL. TONIGHT.

That's the second worst line in that song after the captain obvious one "and I miss you when you're not around".

Other than that, I love COBL!

 

[xaviMF22]

Oh. You. Look. So. BEAU-TI-FUL. TONIGHT.

that chorus = Lame = suckage

 

[FitzChivalry]

I LOVE both, so I voted that way. I guess if I HAD to choose, I'd pick Given To Fly b/c I think City of Blinding Lights comes alive best in concert, whereas Given To Fly just rocks so much ass as is on Yield.

Given To Fly has ALWAYS (well, since Yield was released) been one of my Top 3 fav PJ songs.

 

[LemonMelon]

that chorus = Lame = suckage

Lame suckage

 

[pgv]

I way prefer COBL to given to fly - I think there is something about COBL which is much more euphoric. Although that might just be because I've heard it live wheras I haven't heard that pearl jam song live.

 

[Zoots]

Not even one vote for Given to Fly??? It's obviously severely underrated here!

 

[Screwtape2]

It sounds odd but I think Given To Fly has a Promenade and Elvis Presley & America quality to it. It sounds natural unlike COBL which is one of the most forced songs that I've ever heard. Given To Fly is one of Pearl Jam's hidden classics.

Pilate (the b-side to the single) also sounds wonderful.

 

[BonoIsMyMuse]

Given to Fly is one of my favorite songs off of Yield, which is my favorite Pearl Jam album, but COBL is one of my favorite 2000-era U2 songs, so I voted that I love both.

 

[Aygo]

No way, "Given To Fly" is nothing special, COBL is one of U2's finest songs from this decade. Easy to pick up COBL.

 

[theoriginal]

If COBL didn't have the worst bridge I've ever heard the choice would be harder, but alas, Given to Fly it is.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

these two songs are so different from each other that i would never ever think of putting one against each other.

but you did, so i shall vote.

given to fly.

 

[Zoots]

these two songs are so different from each other that i would never ever think of putting one against each other.

I really think musically Given To Fly is Pearl Jam's most U2 sounding song... with probably Corduroy closely behind. The build up in the verses, the rousing chorus, the anthemic feel to the song, lots of similarities! Hence the comparison.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

drifting

would fit nicely in the joshua tree/rattle and hum era... that's about all i can think of.

reminds me a bit of jesus christ, only a lot cooler.

(the song, not the guy)

 

[Zoots]

Actually Yield as a whole is similar to JT in that respect. Great travel/daytime driving CDs.

 

[The OOTS]

"The waves came crashing like a fist to the jaw..."

Given To Fly.

 

[angelordevil]

Because the verses sound exactly the same. Robert Plant even stated that they PJ ripped off their song.

Actually, I'm pretty certain it was the other way around--PJ admitting that LZ were an influence. More specifically, I think it was Stone who talked about it. I can hear a slight and vague similarity, but nothing to write home about.

As for COBL, it was surprisingly great to hear live...much better than the somewhat plodding studio version.

Overall, I'd say these are two equally average songs by two equally great bands.

I really think musically Given To Fly is Pearl Jam's most U2 sounding song... with probably Corduroy closely behind. The build up in the verses, the rousing chorus, the anthemic feel to the song, lots of similarities! Hence the comparison.

I'd add Black to that list, and especially Oceans. Both have a kind of Unforgettable Fire, stream of consciousness feel about them. Eddie's falsettos on those are not too far off from Bono's.

How about U2's most Pearl Jam-sounding song? That, to me, is Exit. PJ would really fly with that one, and Matt would just soar on the drums