MERGED ----> U2 has finally sold out + On selling out

[U2girl]

By people's definition, those 80's ads were sellout a lot more than any of current things. They promoted products, given a Harley/pick or not. (you don't think they did it for free do you?)
And don't tell me any/all ads don't get an OK by the whole band/principle management.

It's just as much an ad for U2 and their music as it is for Ipods. Another way of distribution, just like saying "new album available in CD store"

We know no money changed hands for the Ipod ad. (which, given that the band is featured prominently and "Vertigo by U2" is clearly stated, is far from the usual use of music in TV ads)
Not to mention Ipods and Itunes have to do with music and *oops* U2 makes music.
Again, a wast difference to music that is used in ads that have nothing to do with music.
(not that I mind music in TV ads, a legitimate way to outsmart the MTV/radio channels - again I point out Moby and his Play album success. that was in 99 and look how many TV ads/mobile ringtones use popular music now)

With U2Ipods, Apple and U2 share the profit of any and all sold Ipods. It's a partnership.

(pssst Bono and Edge have been known to use Apple laptops)

 

[david]

Unless we make our own clothes we're walking billboards for clothes. We're sitting here on our fancy computers. I'm drinking my diet pepsi right now. I just brushed my teeth using colgate.

We can't get away from corporations.

So Apple is this big corporation and U2 are going into business with them and that's bad...... Because????

Because U2 are now endorsing iPods... These things that LET YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC ON THEM... Music is a thing U2 makes too!!!

Jesus Christ. It's not like U2 are going into business with Pizza Hut.

I've yet to see any commercial featuring the band where the band themselves say "HEY BUY AN IPOD!!" The only commercial I've seen is the Veritigo commercial and it's done in such a subtle tone.

I think I've seen more advertisements for U2 themselves since they joined up with Apple than I have seen any advertisements suggesting we buy iPods.

So U2 gone into business with iPod and you can buy the U2 iPod and also buy U2's entire catalog with the exception of cover songs and the unreleased songs.

So U2 have found new ways to distrubute their music to the masses.

We no longer live in the days when you could turn on MTV and see a U2 video.. We're gone past the days when people could get their music through Columbia House, or BMG.


I've managed to find good things about U2 going into a business deal with a music distrubution venture like iTunes and iPod.

Now, I want everyone here who just says it sucks and that U2 has sold out to give me some actual evidence why this is such a horrible horrible horrible evil thing because Apple is this great big horrible horrible greedy businesss thus making U2 evil horrible greedy business people for wanting to find a new medium to distribute their music to people in the new age of computers and ease of downloading and uploading to iPods.

Take your time because I have to go buy gas from a big corporate gas company to put into my car I got from a big corporate automobile manufacturer so I can go drive 50 miles and visit my friend and have a big corporate Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the ikes of Butterball Turkey.

 

[Shade]

By people's definition, those 80's ads were sellout a lot more than any of current things. They promoted products, given a Harley/pick or not. (you don't think they did it for free do you?)
And don't tell me any/all ads don't get an OK by the whole band/principle management.

It's just as much an ad for U2 and their music as it is for Ipods. Another way of distribution, just like saying "new album available in CD store"

We know no money changed hands for the Ipod ad. (which, given that the band is featured prominently and "Vertigo by U2" is clearly stated, is far from the usual use of music in TV ads)
Not to mention Ipods and Itunes have to do with music and *oops* U2 makes music.
Again, a wast difference to music that is used in ads that have nothing to do with music.
(not that I mind music in TV ads, a legitimate way to outsmart the MTV/radio channels - again I point out Moby and his Play album success. that was in 99 and look how many TV ads/mobile ringtones use popular music now)

With U2Ipods, Apple and U2 share the profit of any and all sold Ipods. It's a partnership.

(pssst Bono and Edge have been known to use Apple laptops)

I really wish you would actually read our posts. Same goes for you, David.

 

[U2girl]

I wish people would read the posts that make it clear U2 did not sell out.

 

[Shade]

I wish people would read the posts that make it clear U2 did not sell out.

Post one that truly does, and I'll read it. Promise.

 

[U2girl]

There were several in this thread already, by several posters.

This point has been refuted many times now on this forum.

 

[God Part III]

I don't get what's so wrong with the U2 iPod.
I understand some people might be a little offended, but I'm getting one - being an Apple freak also.
I love the new album.
Please, I mean, if you don't like it then don't.

 

[david]

Edge effectively promotes Gibson guitars every time you see him play 'Until the End of the World'. Hell, I went out and bought a Les Paul Custom just because he had it. But, when you go into a business venture with a corporation, then you get into a sticky area. That fact is, U2 are not only endorsing iPod - they're selling iPod. That's the difference between then and now, and it's a huge one.

Not really. U2 are efffectively promoting iPod just as you said Edge was effectively Gibson guitars. You went out and bought one because of him. I went and signed up for iTunes music service because of U2 and I think it's a great service. I've since paid for a lot of songs from various artists and even U2 as of late due to the complete collection being available now.

But oh well. Not a lot of people will see it the way I see it. Because Apple is this big greedy corporation and U2 are "in bed with them" and that makes U2 evil bastards for finding a great way to distrubute their music and get a lot of people turned onto the idea of paying 99 cents for songs or more for entire albums and being able to download them instantly.

 

[sonnyu2]

U2 are a business. Businesses are supposed to make money. They will advertise and promote thier products and create lucrative partnerships that benefit both parties. It is not that hard to figure out.

Some act as if U2 sold thier souls. All they did was make another album and promote it with a commercial, a few tv show placements (a few seconds of a song in the show, its not like they based the show on U2 or the song), and a business partnership (which benefits both parties, U2 is not getting paid directly by Apple, and Apple is not getting paid directly by U2, but both will profit from the venture).

It seems U2 did well. The majority of people could care less about this topic, but a few will always find something to be pissed at. Let'em be pissed (thats extra tickets for the tour). I feel there are a lot worse things in the world today to be worried about than this. Enjoy the music while you can!

 

[Shade]

There were several in this thread already.

Not true. While I agree that the notion that they have sold out is itself questionable, nowhere is there clear, incontrovertible proof that U2 has NOT sold out. We can all conjecture about it, but it's something nobody will ever know the truth about. Only the band knows.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

don't let the door hit you on the way out

 

[Shade]

don't let the door hit you on the way out

Original.

 

[ramblin rose]

Only the band knows.

Only the band knows what, whether or not they have sold out?

Oh brother.

 

[bonosleftone]

There were several in this thread already, by several posters.

This point has been refuted many times now on this forum.

You are so ignorant lol.

There is a HUGE difference between a guitar player endorsing guitar picks, as well as a drummer (who happens to be a biker) endorsing a motorcycle than the entire band marketing a computer peripheral. THEY HAVE DEFINED CUSTOMER BASES. Do you think a housewife in Wichita has any interest in a guitar pick??????? There's a big difference between endorsing a product for a defined base and marketing a product to the masses. Its like Michael Jordan endorsing batteries (the masses) and Michael Jordan endorsing a basketball (defined base).

U2 are being used to SELL IPODS. Not to get people interested in music, sure there are some who'll say thats a cool song but basically U2 are piggybacking Apples corporate sponsorship to sell more records and Apple are piggybacking U2 to sell more Ipods and get people to buy music of their service. Which goes against what U2 themselves have been against for some years now. Its not about U2 being a great band or great musicians, its about $$$$$$$$$$.

A guitar pick, and a motorcycle (more than 10 year old ads btw) do not sell more records or have any impact on U2's bottom line.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Original.

thanks

 

[Nienna]

quick: what's the first thing you think of when i say 'vertigo'?

The bass.
But I doubt that's the answer you want to hear.

Believe what you want about U2. No one knows their true motives. It's sad to see that some fans decide to go with the unfavorable view. And why? To have something to complain about? One of their albums fell short of your expectations?

Maybe U2 made some decisions for the wrong reasons, or hey! Maybe they did it for the right reasons. No one knows.

And I'll finish this once I get back from dinner.

 

[U2girl]

Not true. While I agree that the notion that they have sold out is itself questionable, nowhere is there clear, incontrovertible proof that U2 has NOT sold out. We can all conjecture about it, but it's something nobody will ever know the truth about. Only the band knows.

There's plenty of proof.

U2 is not endorsing a product, but a new way of distributing music.
U2 did not get payed for it.
U2 gets their name and title of song in the ad, and is heavily shown in the ad. I dare say they're even more promoted than Itunes - itself not even a product but a service for distributing music, proven to be increasingly taking the share of "traditionally" sold music in CDs.
Ipods have to do with music. U2 makes music.
U2 shares profit from U2Ipods, which is a cheaper way of getting their catalogue than buying the CDs. (per song price)
U2 members have been known to use Apple laptops.
U2 members have promoted products before and did TV ads before.

 

[reggiethedawg]

The Apple iPod thing isn't really that big a deal is it really? It's not like its Coca-Cola or McDonalds etc they're selling. If it was then maybe it would be a fair point. I think most U2 fans would be cringing. But this is an Apple iPod we're talking about that is ultimately selling U2 material - both parties will benefit from it.

Its not like when Bono has a microphone in-hand he doesn't make good use of it either by singing or his work for Jubilee 2000 / DATA et al.

You never see U2 sponsored by Budweiser etc on tour programmes and the like.

U2 have been offered several million dollars from a major car manufacturer for several years now for the use of Streets in their advertising campaigns. U2 have point blank refused. U2 have not sold out in my view. They have their integrity well and truly in tact.

 

[Party Boy]

Have never read so much bullshit in one tread.

Who gives a flying f**K what the band get up to - why are we fans of the band? Because of the music. Don't lose sight of why people follow the band. Seems like there are quite a few immature and bitter so called "indie" kids on the forum.

Speaking of selling out - didn't the great Indie Gods - The Pixies reform to play concert to get money??

As for Ipod ad - geez.. are people so blinkered that U2 would sell their soul to an advert to make even more $$? If you really do believe this, then I seriously think you have missed the whole message and meaning of U2.

As a band, you are going to try to get as much exposure to your music - with Applie, its through new technology - why not be at the leading edge of it? Don't people realise that music is moving towards downloading at an incredible pace?

As for the cost of downloading 400-odd U2 songs. As a big fan, you are not going to download them because you have fast majority of the songs already. If you are going to buy them, despite having all the albums and then turn around and accuse U2 of selling out, really, who is the bigger fool?
Spend $150 or whatever it is to get a couple of unreleased songs that are most likely going to appear online anyway in near future really points at your shortcomings rather than the bands.

 

[david]

You are so ignorant lol.

There is a HUGE difference between a guitar player endorsing guitar picks, as well as a drummer (who happens to be a biker) endorsing a motorcycle than the entire band marketing a computer peripheral. THEY HAVE DEFINED CUSTOMER BASES. Do you think a housewife in Wichita has any interest in a guitar pick??????? There's a big difference between endorsing a product for a defined base and marketing a product to the masses. Its like Michael Jordan endorsing batteries (the masses) and Michael Jordan endorsing a basketball (defined base).

U2 are being used to SELL IPODS. Not to get people interested in music, sure there are some who'll say thats a cool song but basically U2 are piggybacking Apples corporate sponsorship to sell more records and Apple are piggybacking U2 to sell more Ipods and get people to buy music of their service. Which goes against what U2 themselves have been against for some years now. Its not about U2 being a great band or great musicians, its about $$$$$$$$$$.

A guitar pick, and a motorcycle (more than 10 year old ads btw) do not sell more records or have any impact on U2's bottom line.

If U2 sell more albums due to exposure given to them by the iTunes ads and Apple end up selling more iPods at the same time because of this, how are you and I affected as fans? The iPod gets out to more people and U2's music gets out to more people.. This to me is a safe and smart business venture because U2 keep integrity due to the fact that at the core(no pun intended) this Apple product is a product and it is designed to listen to music. Oh and U2's music is available for purchase and download too.

It's like people are trying so hard to turn this into an argument of ethics and integrity and whoring out to the man and such when it's not really.

 

[bonovoxorg]

On selling out

There was a time when musicians could only afford to create their works with the backing of wealthy patrons. Would you ever say that Mozart ever "sold out"?

Granted, U2 probably has the financial capability to not have to resort to producing work for a commission, but is accepting that money such a bad thing in the first place?

The world would be a much poorer place musically if musicians had *not* accepted money from wealthy patrons in exchange for writing music for those patrons.

 

[U2girl]

You are so ignorant lol.

There is a HUGE difference between a guitar player endorsing guitar picks, as well as a drummer (who happens to be a biker) endorsing a motorcycle than the entire band marketing a computer peripheral. THEY HAVE DEFINED CUSTOMER BASES. Do you think a housewife in Wichita has any interest in a guitar pick??????? There's a big difference between endorsing a product for a defined base and marketing a product to the masses. Its like Michael Jordan endorsing batteries (the masses) and Michael Jordan endorsing a basketball (defined base).

U2 are being used to SELL IPODS. Not to get people interested in music, sure there are some who'll say thats a cool song but basically U2 are piggybacking Apples corporate sponsorship to sell more records and Apple are piggybacking U2 to sell more Ipods and get people to buy music of their service. Which goes against what U2 themselves have been against for some years now. Its not about U2 being a great band or great musicians, its about $$$$$$$$$$.

A guitar pick, and a motorcycle (more than 10 year old ads btw) do not sell more records or have any impact on U2's bottom line.

I guess people will believe what they want.

And U2Ipod is not directed to U2 fans?!? Housewife in Wichita is not going to buy it.
The one time the ad is directed to U2 fans you have a problem with it.

There is NO difference between endorsing guitar picks/motorcycle/whatever. ALL ads. Doesn't matter Edge is a guitar player or that Larry likes bikes.

Edge/Bono use Apple laptops, does that make you feel better?

 

[rjhbonovox]

In my opinion the sell-out phrase is directly to do with the quality of the last 2 albums. Music that is created solely to please the masses and mainly their American fans. I could have understood one album in that vein, but to follow it up with virtually the same over commercialised music is going to far.

 

[bonosleftone]

I guess people will believe what they want.

And U2Ipod is not directed to U2 fans?!? Housewife in Wichita is not going to buy it.
The one time the ad is directed to U2 fans you have a problem with it.

There is NO difference between endorsing guitar picks/motorcycle/whatever. ALL ads. Doesn't matter Edge is a guitar player or that Larry likes bikes.

Edge/Bono use Apple laptops, does that make you feel better?

Where do we see Edge/Bono using a Apple laptop in the ad? It doesnt fucking matter if they use them or not. The ad isnt for a laptop.

There is a huge difference between marketing something to a defined base and a overall market. Are you going to market clarinet reeds to a guitar player? I play the drums, Edge isnt marketing drumsticks.

However I like music and I have a computer, oh wow theres U2 marketing a device from a computer company and ooh a computer companies store that sells music. Pretty general that one.

The U2 I-Pod isnt even IN the ad for crying out loud. The ad is for I-Tunes. Come to I-Tunes and buy Vertigo. It doesnt say "out in stores now" It's geared specifically to buy at I-Tunes!

Hey I have a vial of Bonos sweat, you wanna buy it?

The ad is not directed at U2 fans, that what you dont get through your thick skull. It's directed at people who own computers and like music, and they're using U2 as the vehicle.

 

[mikal]

In my opinion the sell-out phrase is directly to do with the quality of the last 2 albums. Music that is created solely to please the masses and mainly their American fans. I could have understood one album in that vein, but to follow it up with virtually the same over commercialised music is going to far.

you're simply making an assumption, but once again, have nothing to back up your argument with the exception of your own opinion. unless you've been in the studio with U2, you have no way of knowing what U2's motives were when making the last 2 albums.

 

[Party Boy]

In my opinion the sell-out phrase is directly to do with the quality of the last 2 albums. Music that is created solely to please the masses and mainly their American fans. I could have understood one album in that vein, but to follow it up with virtually the same over commercialised music is going to far.

Isnt music down to personal taste - some albums you like, others less so. To accuse U2 of selling out because they are playing music THEY say is the best of their career, well, how can you call that selling out? Am clearly missing something

 

[david]

Where do we see Edge/Bono using a Apple laptop in the ad? It doesnt fucking matter if they use them or not. The ad isnt for a laptop.

There is a huge difference between marketing something to a defined base and a overall market. Are you going to market clarinet reeds to a guitar player? I play the drums, Edge isnt marketing drumsticks.

However I like music and I have a computer, oh wow theres U2 marketing a device from a computer company and ooh a computer companies store that sells music. Pretty general that one.

The U2 I-Pod isnt even IN the ad for crying out loud. The ad is for I-Tunes. Come to I-Tunes and buy Vertigo. It doesnt say "out in stores now" It's geared specifically to buy at I-Tunes!

Hey I have a vial of Bonos sweat, you wanna buy it?

The ad is not directed at U2 fans, that what you dont get through your thick skull. It's directed at people who own computers and like music, and they're using U2 as the vehicle.

They're using each other, why wont you admit it?

 

[bonosleftone]

They're using each other, why wont you admit it?

I never said they weren't. U2 are using Apple and Apple is using U2. Isnt that the whole point of a commercial endorsement?

 

[rjhbonovox]

Isnt music down to personal taste - some albums you like, others less so. To accuse U2 of selling out because they are playing music THEY say is the best of their career, well, how can you call that selling out? Am clearly missing something

I doubt very much U2 will come out and say "oh we have made this album but we don't believe in it". There bound to say its the best music of their lives what else are they going to say, "its took us 4 years and its not that good".

 

[david]

I never said they weren't. U2 are using Apple and Apple is using U2. Isnt that the whole point of a commercial endorsement?

So why exactly would you or anyone else have a problem with this? Because U2 might have crossed some non existant make believe unethical selling out line or something?

iTunes is a modernized and much cheaper version of the music club that was so dominate in the 80's and 90's. I remember signing up in 1992 with Columbia house and paying a lot of money to get one U2 album and had to order 11 other albums from artists as well and had to pay their horrible prices and shipping costs just to get them.

iTunes is better. I like it. If it wasn't for U2 I probably would have never signed up really. It was because of the Vertigo commercial that II bought the song Vertigo and I am sure Apple and U2 benefited from it.

I am also fairly certain that the other groups that I downloaded music of also benefited from U2's association with Apple/iTunes as well.