It seems that with the impending release of Hut Dab, the criticisms of Peace On Earth and Grace have come even more thick and fast than before. Frankly, I can't fathom it, and I feel these two songs deserve their own APPRECIATION thread because they should be appreciated.
I received ATYCLB for Christmas 2000 and Peace On Earth was quickly one of my favourites. Sure, it may have a couple of weak lyrics, but it's sincere and it acts as the soft counterpart to the more aggressive political songs such as Sunday Bloody Sunday in U2's catalogue. What really sticks out in my memory, however, is the night of 2001-09-11. I was lying in bed, listening to the radio, and at the end of some music countdown, the station played a special presentation of news reports over the top of Peace On Earth. If any moment seriously kindled my love affair with the moving power of music, it was that (and the sheer force of Walk On that sustained me through the last few years). I will never forget lying in bed, nearly crying to the end of the song.
And Grace ... admittedly, it took me a long time to come to appreciate this song, but that's because I was listening to it too superficially and I hadn't even thought to look for any subtlety. This song is beautiful and I really do have to wonder why so many people here dislike it. I'm sure that some of you have a 5:30 loop of "Grace, it's a name for a girl; it's also a thought that changed the world."
IGNORE THAT LINE FOR A SECOND. Listen to the rest of the song. It has some of Bono's most brilliant lyrics. I am truly glad Bono wrote this touching song.
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings ...
So yes. Let's appreciate these two tracks for a change. Give them the love they deserve.
I received ATYCLB for Christmas 2000 and Peace On Earth was quickly one of my favourites. Sure, it may have a couple of weak lyrics, but it's sincere and it acts as the soft counterpart to the more aggressive political songs such as Sunday Bloody Sunday in U2's catalogue. What really sticks out in my memory, however, is the night of 2001-09-11. I was lying in bed, listening to the radio, and at the end of some music countdown, the station played a special presentation of news reports over the top of Peace On Earth. If any moment seriously kindled my love affair with the moving power of music, it was that (and the sheer force of Walk On that sustained me through the last few years). I will never forget lying in bed, nearly crying to the end of the song.
And Grace ... admittedly, it took me a long time to come to appreciate this song, but that's because I was listening to it too superficially and I hadn't even thought to look for any subtlety. This song is beautiful and I really do have to wonder why so many people here dislike it. I'm sure that some of you have a 5:30 loop of "Grace, it's a name for a girl; it's also a thought that changed the world."
IGNORE THAT LINE FOR A SECOND. Listen to the rest of the song. It has some of Bono's most brilliant lyrics. I am truly glad Bono wrote this touching song.
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings ...
So yes. Let's appreciate these two tracks for a change. Give them the love they deserve.
