The middle of the Tree

[Utoo]

The first 4 songs of JT are the glory-hounds of the album. When I first got the album about 17 years ago (jeeeez, that's insane), I knew nothing of the world and would often stop listening after Bullet. But now there are days when I'll skip ahead to track number 5 and ride the glory on out from there.

-Running To Stand Still
-Red Hill Mining Town
-In God's Country
-Trip Through Your Wires
-One Tree Hill

The Trinity and Bullet get all the attention, and Streets is indeed perhaps the greatest song....but it's these middle 5 that make the album for me.

 

[Lancemc]

I usually clump the first 5 songs together. I feel more of a split between Running and Red Hill myself.

 

[U2Man]

i always skip bullet.

 

[Aygo]

I think that way, but about the first 5 tracks, including Running To Stand Still...

 

[Chizip]

Trip is the only blemish in there

 

[indra]

Trip is the only blemish in there

Yep. I never did like that song. The others in that group are lovely though.

 

[Aygo]

Yeah, TTYW t's the worst track in the album, yes, but it's not that weak as many want to make believe.

 

[Bones58]

Yup I group the first 5 together aswell. I'm not actually that fond of RHMT and TTYW is easily the weakest track on the album (though not a weak track overall). But nothing can beat that grouping: In God's Country, One Tree Hill, Exit and MOTD. Still I suppose I must have sub conciously revolted against the albums first 5 tracks because I've heard them that much. Streets can never get old however

 

[INDY500]

Trip is the only blemish in there

It was a good song live.

I got a fever. And the only prescription is...more Harmonica!!

 

[Sicy]

But now there are days when I'll skip ahead to track number 5 and ride the glory on out from there.

-Running To Stand Still
-Red Hill Mining Town
-In God's Country
-Trip Through Your Wires
-One Tree Hill

I couldnt agree with you more (I do the same thing lol).

 

[No spoken words]

The first 4 songs of JT are the glory-hounds of the album. When I first got the album about 17 years ago (jeeeez, that's insane), I knew nothing of the world and would often stop listening after Bullet. But now there are days when I'll skip ahead to track number 5 and ride the glory on out from there.

-Running To Stand Still
-Red Hill Mining Town
-In God's Country
-Trip Through Your Wires
-One Tree Hill

The Trinity and Bullet get all the attention, and Streets is indeed perhaps the greatest song....but it's these middle 5 that make the album for me.

This is my favorite album of all time, I love the whole thing. TTYW is not a blemish to me, not at all. Perhaps not their greatest effort, but, nothing to be ashamed of. Anyway, I agree with the above, that stretch is probably my favorite 5 song stretch. Red Hill Mining Town and One Tree Hill, especially, do the trick for me. I cannot even begin to count how many times I've listened to this album, wow.

 

[LemonMelon]

The first 4 songs of JT are the glory-hounds of the album. When I first got the album about 17 years ago (jeeeez, that's insane), I knew nothing of the world and would often stop listening after Bullet. But now there are days when I'll skip ahead to track number 5 and ride the glory on out from there.

-Running To Stand Still
-Red Hill Mining Town
-In God's Country
-Trip Through Your Wires
-One Tree Hill

The Trinity and Bullet get all the attention, and Streets is indeed perhaps the greatest song....but it's these middle 5 that make the album for me.

For a small moment in time, I shall crown you *my favorite poster on Interference*

 

[tuwie]

utoo, i couldn't agree more.
lol as you put it, "the trinity and bullet" are great songs, but the joshua tree would not be a great album without these 5 songs. the connect the whole thing together, and develop and solidify the atmosphere/theme while sounding hauntingly beautiful all at the same time.
for me, JT is a masterpiece not b/c it's a collection of great songs like HTDAAB or ATYCLB, but because the songs work together to create a whole.

 

[LemonMelon]

Face it, people; the Joshua Tree NEEDS Trip Through Your Wires. Otherwise it would be a lovely bore. Think of what songs surround it...Trip is in the perfect spot to add a shot of life into the record, which it does.

 

[gump]

I totally agree. I love to hear JT on vynil and just put the B-side (it starts at RHMT). I think it is the strongest side of any U2 record (it would lose to TUF if Bad and Pride had their places switched, though).

 

[annie_vox]

Those are my favourites too if you take off thrip through your wires and put Streets