I'm in love with 'Running to Stand Still'. What is your favourite version?

[cobl04]

I remember the first time I heard this song. Having already the 80s best of in my collection, it was the first new track from JT, and I remember being moved and adoring it immediately.

Live, it too is magic, I can only hope they play it when I'm around this tour.

So what do you like? I will say it's ZooTV, just for the way it was reinvented, and had such energy, but having recently downloaded a Lovetown bootleg, I've fallen in love with the Dirty Old Town snippet...

 

[Screwtape2]

I have yet to hear a bad version of this song.

The Rattle & Hum version is so beautiful of course. I think the early take of it here has a special quality with the Eno keyboards that make it my favorite version.

YouTube - Running to Stand Still - Joshua Tree Documentary

 

[DevilsShoes]

I always really liked the Lovetown versions, in particular the 30th December 89 Point Depot version, the quality of the bootleg is brilliant, one of my all-time favourites.

Edge experimented with the piano melody and came up with a really lovely variation, Bono's voice is stunning, plus its great to hear the audience sing the Dirty Old Town snippet with so much enthusiasm that they drown out Bono.

 

[Rob33]

I always really liked the Lovetown versions, in particular the 30th December 89 Point Depot version, the quality of the bootleg is brilliant, one of my all-time favourites.

Edge experimented with the piano melody and came up with a really lovely variation, Bono's voice is stunning, plus its great to hear the audience sing the Dirty Old Town snippet with so much enthusiasm that they drown out Bono.

hmm..interesting, the 30th? I'll have to listen to that one...I have the Point Depot 26/89 version, and it's probably my favorite for now...Edge plays some beautiful acoustic guitar in the beginning...combine that with Bono's voice on hat version and it really pushes this version ahead of most others for me...but other favorites off the top of my head are the Sydney ZooTV performance and this one:

YouTube - U2 - Running To Stand Still (Rattle and Hum)

 

[Galeongirl]

I really liked the guitar version of ZooTv, it was just completely different!

 

[U2girl]

I like all versions, I couldn't pick a favourite.

 

[sjakie]

The zootv version for sure.. the end is amazing with the halleluja screams.
Cant get better than this.

 

[u2 cutiepie]

ZOOTV for shore

 

[europop2005]

ZOO TV...its just hauntingly beautiful

 

[bigjohn2441]

thats actually bono playing the intro guitar on the 12/26/89 version

 

[God Part II]

The ZOO TV version, due to Edge's slight, but moving, alterations to the guitar melody...

 

[Ronnie269]

Although I've loved every version of RTSS I've heard,
Id say my fav is ZOOTV! its one of the best U2 performances ever imo,
everything about it is incredible, esp Bono's performance v powerfull!
I HOPE THEY REVISIT THIS VERSION FOR THE TOUR!

 

[one4u2]

Joshua Tree version This song is one of my favorites almost passed out when I heard it live during the Vertigo tour

 

[bonocomet]

I'll say ZooTV as well. I love the earlier versions too but the way they updated its imagery in ZooTV was stunning.

 

[neutral]

Vertigo, from the Twickenham broadcast

 

[Purplereign]

ZooTv is the one I have a sentimental attachment too . . . the gooseybumps I got when the opening strains played and it truly felt like I was the only one in the stadium - just gorgeous - magic

 

[nathan1977]

Zoo TV fer sure, though I loved the Desire/Hawkmoon/RTSS medley that they played once on the Elevation tour.

 

[Addicted To Bad]

The zootv version for sure.. the end is amazing with the halleluja screams.
Cant get better than this.

_____________________________
SWEET THE SIN
BITTER THE TASTE IN MY MOUTH

 

[dmalezi]

The zootv version for sure.. the end is amazing with the halleluja screams. Cant get better than this.

With the harmonica and smoke flares too! One of my favorite live song versions.

 

[dal975]

can't go wrong with any tour's version, but the zoo tv/zooropa RTSS with it's final hallelulah into streets is mind blowingly epic...

i think the beauty of RTSS live is how they have re-invented the song time and again

 

[dal975]

edge's "halleluah's" on the vertigo tour were especially beautiful

 

[Moser]

can't go wrong with any tour's version, but the zoo tv/zooropa RTSS with it's final hallelulah into streets is mind blowingly epic...

Yes.

 

[digitize]

Zoo TV Sydney

 

[Liesje]

Between the album version, ZooTV version, and LoveTown version (ex. from "At the Eleventh Hour" with Dirty Old Town at the end), I cannot pick.

 

[DreamOutLoud13]

ZooTV Sydney. Fullstop.

 

[RavenBlue]

I love the Zootv version and I'd have to say that's my favourite version. Beautiful!

 

[shaun vox]

Zoo TV version.
like Duh!!!!

 

[last unicorn]

I like all versions, it's one of my favourite songs ever by just anybody.
With ZooTv, I just don't like Bono's acting, I don't know, whenever I see the ZooTv Sydney DVD it just makes me feel uncomfortable.
I like the more stripped down versions of the song.

 

[Zoots]

Zoo TV

 

[ZOOTVTOURist]

If you search for earlier versions, there are only two of them: LA '87 & Rotterdam '90 – the Bono improvisations in the final parts are astonishing, the mood is breathtaking. What a voice, what an atmosphere. This is the real thing, in my opinion ...