So what is the weakest U2 song ever, then?

[financeguy]

I KNOW!!!! Talk about uninspired! Does he think wer'e idiots? The man just burbles away to music sometimes and thinks somehow that thats ok!

I don't even know if he HAD an explanation for that one. What gets me, is how does this get by the rest of the band? Doesn't anyone say anything? And they claim to care about their reputation.

"Doesn't anyone say anything?"

See, this is the thing. I think there used to be that level of quality control and internal debate and cut-and-thrust within U2 - especially in the 1987-1997 period. But now they just seem to go along with Bono on everything. That's just my interpretation of the band dynamic, I could be completely incorrect.

There will be the usual "why do you hate 2000's U2?" responses to your post, but here's the thing.

We sceptics are the true keepers of the U2 flame, not the 'Bono can do no wrong' bullshit brigade.

 

[BVS]

But now they just seem to go along with Bono on everything. That's just my interpretation of the band dynamic, I could be completely incorrect.

There is quite a bit of evidence that Larry is a big reason for a lot of the ATYCLB and Bomb safer side.

But let that get in the way of your hate...

 

[Zoomerang96]

elevation or walk on.

can't decide which is worse. i wouldn't be caught dead listening to either.

 

[ultraviolet7]

When Love Comes to Town, Vertigo, Elevation, Beautiful Day - they're my least favourites.

elevation or walk on.

can't decide which is worse. i wouldn't be caught dead listening to either.

Wow, wow, wow - Beautiful Day and Walk On - the collapse of the holy cows. I thought I'd never get to see this in a U2 forum. I'll second you guys on these two and I have to add City Of Blinding Lights. Can't swear they are U2's weakest since The Sweetest Thing and Promenade are probably worse, but I could never stand this trio.

 

[BVS]

Wow, wow, wow - Beautiful Day and Walk On - the collapse of the holy cows. I thought I'd never get to see this in a U2 forum. I'll second you guys on these two and I have to add City Of Blinding Lights.

Quite an exaggeration... Both 'Walk On' and 'COBL' have their detractors in this forum. Now Fguy might be the first to claim BD as their worst, but believe me the other two are far from "holy cows".

 

[ultraviolet7]

Quite an exaggeration... Both 'Walk On' and 'COBL' have their detractors in this forum. Now Fguy might be the first to claim BD as their worst, but believe me the other two are far from "holy cows".

OK, I'll take your word - but in the spells I've spent on this forum during the past 7 years and the almost 2 years I was a regular in the old Zootopia I never ran into anyone who thought that Beautiful Day and Walk On were less than "classics" and was under the impression that COBL was considered almost untouchable by an overwhelming majority in this forum.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

I'm surprised that anyone could name WO and BD as the weakest U2 songs ever, I think they are beautiful and uplifting.

 

[The Sad Punk]

OK, I'll take your word - but in the spells I've spent on this forum during the past 7 years and the almost 2 years I was a regular in the old Zootopia I never ran into anyone who thought that Beautiful Day and Walk On were less than "classics" and was under the impression that COBL was considered almost untouchable by an overwhelming majority in this forum.

Interference is far from an ordinary U2 forum. Think of it as the other side of town.

 

[ozeeko]

I don't understand many of you. Peace on Earth may be a ridiculous name, and heavy bullets for the U2 haters (where U2 only is Bono, apparently) but it's a great song IMO. Even more unbelievable is that some of you have chosen Yahweh. It's the best ending to a U2 album so far, and a beautiful song in general. Grace is not that bad, but it has awful lyrics ("Grace, it's a name for a girl" ).
:

Okay I agree with you on Peace On Earth, very underrated U2 song.

But come on...Yahweh bites the big one!!! (i mean the song, not the uhhh yea u know)

Grace it's a name for a girl - i never understood what's so bad about that lyric? It's not like he's saying something like "Grace has a scent like the top of a school girl's head"...it's just a simple observation, yea, grace is a name for a girl. Whatever. it makes sense!!! And it conjures up an image of a young girl making everything beautiful. At least that's what i get out of it.

I will defend Grace to the end. It's one of their most relaxing songs, in the vein of Walk To The Water. What does everyone expect...some super anthemic U2 chorus? Maybe some whoa-oh-oh-ohs thrown in there? a stock Edge solo? Love the synthesizers, love the chilled vibe, the perfect way to exit that album.

 

[U2girl]

There is quite a bit of evidence that Larry is a big reason for a lot of the ATYCLB and Bomb safer side.

 

[U2girl]

I think the first three/four album clunkers can be forgiven because they were young and didn't know better and their youthful passion made it passable.

On second thought, I'd probably have to say Grace. There's a good way to do a slow song, and there's a plodding, too slow way to do it. Add some bad lines and bad delivery (except when Bono actually sings it towards the end). Last but not least, horrible album closer.

 

[eviltwin]

Just a shame that Dylan withdrew his vocals from the release

His vocals are on there.

I've always understood that Dylan also recorded some particularly haunting vocals for the verses, which he withdrew, leaving only the background stuff on the release.

I think the first three/four album clunkers can be forgiven because they were young and didn't know better and their youthful passion made it passable.

I really don't see that, Boy is remarkably balanced and composed, especially for a debut album (On par with VH1, Appetite or Ten)

Sophomore albums are notoriously difficult, also considering the things the band went through at the time. Taking into account the subjects and themes, October has stood the test of time quite well. You have to see it in relation to other music going on at the time and look at it as a stepping stone to War.

War itself is a masterpiece, Edge doubling as producer, conducting his orchestra; illconcieved songs like Red Light are still perfectly executed, not clunkers at all. In fact the guitarwork on Refugee already hints at some of the best JT work.

And as for youthful errors, indeed that could be an excuse for Boy, or October, but not for War. Plus they did have the experienced Eno on board for TUF, so that's no excuse for stuff like Elvis PAA...

So if you say "clunkers on the first albums", please specify what you are referring to and why.

 

[Salome]

We sceptics are the true keepers of the U2 flame, not the 'Bono can do no wrong' bullshit brigade.

I don't think many here believe Bono can do no wrong
and I don't think being 'true keepers of the U2 flame' is the same as flaming U2 (for no good reason)

 

[Karlonthe2nd]

Worst U2 songs easily are (IMO) The Sweetest Thing and Window in the Skies. Seriously lads, leave that crap to the boybands.

 

[BVS]

I've always understood that Dylan also recorded some particularly haunting vocals for the verses, which he withdrew, leaving only the background stuff on the release.

That may be, but if you listen to his voice back then it was pretty bad, not that he ever had a great voice but even for Dylan standards it was bad. So Dylan probably did the right thing by pulling them...

 

[The Sad Punk]

We sceptics are the true keepers of the U2 flame, not the 'Bono can do no wrong' bullshit brigade.

What is your problem? Why is this important? What does it even have to do with this thread?

 

[believer75]

You know what is bad? Some of U2's fans (and mostly non-fans) like to put limits on what they are ALLOWED to do. The Beatles were given artistic freedom by everyone. I mean, how else would songs like The Benefit of Mr. Kite and Revolution #9 every get past the drawing board? If U2 released the same exact songs now, they would get killed. Beatles were allowed to do those types of songs AND the more poppy tunes. That's why I like songs like Window in the Skies and Sweetest Thing and Wild Honey. It adds variety and shows they can do it all if they want to. We have songs like those all the way to songs like Passengers to songs like Fez-Being Born. U2 has and does it all. What do you want?

 

[Harley.GirlU2]

You know what is bad? Some of U2's fans (and mostly non-fans) like to put limits on what they are ALLOWED to do. The Beatles were given artistic freedom by everyone. I mean, how else would songs like The Benefit of Mr. Kite and Revolution #9 every get past the drawing board? If U2 released the same exact songs now, they would get killed. Beatles were allowed to do those types of songs AND the more poppy tunes. That's why I like songs like Window in the Skies and Sweetest Thing and Wild Honey. It adds variety and shows they can do it all if they want to. We have songs like those all the way to songs like Passengers to songs like Fez-Being Born. U2 has and does it all. What do you want?

INDEED totally agree with you.
I love Window in the Skies and Wild Honey, such great songs

 

[ultraviolet7]

You know what is bad? Some of U2's fans (and mostly non-fans) like to put limits on what they are ALLOWED to do. The Beatles were given artistic freedom by everyone. I mean, how else would songs like The Benefit of Mr. Kite and Revolution #9 every get past the drawing board? If U2 released the same exact songs now, they would get killed. Beatles were allowed to do those types of songs AND the more poppy tunes. That's why I like songs like Window in the Skies and Sweetest Thing and Wild Honey. It adds variety and shows they can do it all if they want to. We have songs like those all the way to songs like Passengers to songs like Fez-Being Born. U2 has and does it all. What do you want?

The 60s were a different time. People were more open to listening to any kind of new music. If you watch films of festivals in that time you can see people listening to diverse artists from The Who to Jethro Tull with the same kind of respect and enthusiasm. Besides that there were no fan forums or the Internet...

 

[U2girl]

I really don't see that, Boy is remarkably balanced and composed, especially for a debut album (On par with VH1, Appetite or Ten)

Sophomore albums are notoriously difficult, also considering the things the band went through at the time. Taking into account the subjects and themes, October has stood the test of time quite well. You have to see it in relation to other music going on at the time and look at it as a stepping stone to War.

War itself is a masterpiece, Edge doubling as producer, conducting his orchestra; illconcieved songs like Red Light are still perfectly executed, not clunkers at all. In fact the guitarwork on Refugee already hints at some of the best JT work.

And as for youthful errors, indeed that could be an excuse for Boy, or October, but not for War. Plus they did have the experienced Eno on board for TUF, so that's no excuse for stuff like Elvis PAA...

So if you say "clunkers on the first albums", please specify what you are referring to and why.

Refugee, Elvis and America, Red light... it's clumsy but excusable given their youth and lack of experience in songwriting at the time.

 

[believer75]

The 60s were a different time. People were more open to listening to any kind of new music. If you watch films of festivals in that time you can see people listening to diverse artists from The Who to Jethro Tull with the same kind of respect and enthusiasm. Besides that there were no fan forums or the Internet...

Exactly! People made their own decisions about music and listened to it because they enjoyed it. They felt the music. They didn't have to listen to it and then check on a fan forum to see if everyone else thinks it is good, too, before deciding they liked it.

 

[bigjohn2441]

Exactly! People made their own decisions about music and listened to it because they enjoyed it. They felt the music. They didn't have to listen to it and then check on a fan forum to see if everyone else thinks it is good, too, before deciding they liked it.

or what the music channels on the rectangle with the screen tell them to like.

 

[8rattoon]

Even though Elvis Presley is nothing more than album filler, I actually like the song's feel. The two soaring vocal lines at the end are pretty cool. It has some atmospheric qualities as well. UF is just dripping with Eno; I like the entire album.

My least favorite songs tend to be the ones that (IMO) reek of a contrived and forced effort to produce a pop song, and tend to lack any genuine mood or atmosphere:

Peace on Earth
Boots
No Line on The Horizon
Wild Honey
Elevation (minus the cool percussive parts - those are nice, albeit heavily processed)

Even though I love the rest of the song, the silly monotone falsetto part ("Crazy tonight!") that Bono sings in the beginning of I'll Go Crazy... drives me nuts. He could have so easily done something to complete the melodic line but instead throws that in there. It kind of ruins the song for me.

It goes without saying that there is a lot of disagreement on this topic, but come on, people...Lemon is a U2 staple!!!!

 

[CutterC]

Exactly! People made their own decisions about music and listened to it because they enjoyed it. They felt the music. They didn't have to listen to it and then check on a fan forum to see if everyone else thinks it is good, too, before deciding they liked it.

Good post, agree with this one and the previous one you made.

 

[Zoo360]

I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy

 

[eviltwin]

You know what is bad? Some of U2's fans (and mostly non-fans) like to put limits on what they are ALLOWED to do.

Well you're right about U2 being masters of their own destiny, but they are fully aware that they are not allowed any errors or failures, because of the high standards that they are judged by, but also have set for themselves as early as Boy.

The 60s were a different time. People were more open to listening to any kind of new music. If you watch films of festivals in that time you can see people listening to diverse artists from The Who to Jethro Tull with the same kind of respect and enthusiasm. Besides that there were no fan forums or the Internet...

Exactly! People made their own decisions about music and listened to it because they enjoyed it. They felt the music.

I completely disagree, what you could listen to was determined by social status. There was segregation, and strict genre lines. People who broke boundaries were quickly critised, from Presley to Hendrix. They got barred from playing or forced to tone down their acts.

Elvis was blasted by whites for playing "black" music and was quickly neutered once signed to a major label. Jimi got flak from blacks for playing white music and not supporting their cause. Note that the Jimi Hendrix Experience was the first integrated band to make it in the USA.

There were minor controversies, like Dylan going electric. And you can clearly hear in a lot of later Hendrix performances that he wasn't happy with the audience always demanding he play the hits and do all the crazy pyrotechnics.

Fans were as possive of their idols as they are now, also, you would only allowed to be a fan of either Beatles OR Stones. Not both. Fans of band like the Faces or the Who would get into violent fights with "opposing" bands. This was like ManU v City, Celtic v Rangers, Arsenal v Spurs. You *cannot* support both sides.

A lot of this was hyped up and artificial, but you can say the same thing about any of this. The results were real and did affect the musicians. In some cases they responded by deliberately breaking down boundaries, but that doesn't mean it was universally accepted, quite the contrary.

 

[johndarling]

"Doesn't anyone say anything?"

See, this is the thing. I think there used to be that level of quality control and internal debate and cut-and-thrust within U2 - especially in the 1987-1997 period. But now they just seem to go along with Bono on everything. That's just my interpretation of the band dynamic, I could be completely incorrect.

There will be the usual "why do you hate 2000's U2?" responses to your post, but here's the thing.

We sceptics are the true keepers of the U2 flame, not the 'Bono can do no wrong' bullshit brigade.

Thank-you *bow* I'm prepared for 'responses'!

 

[johndarling]

There is quite a bit of evidence that Larry is a big reason for a lot of the ATYCLB and Bomb safer side.

But let that get in the way of your hate...

Then Larry is my hero!

Hate? What can you possibly mean by that? I am full of love & light & joy...

 

[BVS]

Then Larry is my hero!

Hate? What can you possibly mean by that? I am full of love & light & joy...

All I mean is that F_guy will find any reason to hate Bono, everything he dislikes about U2 he pens on Bono, the other three do not exist.

 

[johndarling]

All I mean is that F_guy will find any reason to hate Bono, everything he dislikes about U2 he pens on Bono, the other three do not exist.

Oh I don't know F_guy....