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The Bono Interview
MuchMusic.com has posted a transcript of reporter George
Stroumboulopoulos's interview with Bono last week in Toronto that you can read below. The transcript includes music cues and lines from speeches that were shown in the television broadcast so may be hard to follow at times.
> THIS IS A MuchMusic SPECIAL PRESENTATION.
> I'M IRISH; I'M A ROCK STAR. IT'S HARD TO SHUT ME UP. I'M REPRESENTING THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE AIDS AND CAN'T GET ACCESS TO DRUGS. I'M REPRESENTING COUNTRIES WHO ARE STILL PAYING MORE SERVICING OLD DEBTS THAN THEY ARE ON HEALTH AND EDUCATION. I'LL HAVE SUPPER WITH THE DEVIL IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE. WE'RE STILL KEEPING ENTIRE COUNTRIES IN DEBTOR'S PRISON IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD. IS THAT NOT INEFFICIENT? (Applause)
> Bono: WE HAVE A ONCE IN A MILLENNIUM CHANCE TO CHANGE THE WORLD. ARE YOU WITH ME? (Cheering)
> Bono: CAN ANY ONE COUNTRY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? YES, CANADA CAN. \M I want to run \M \E \M I want to hide \M \E
> George: WHEN YOU SEE ALL THIS STUFF AND YOU'RE PART OF IT, WHAT'S IT LIKE FOR YOU AT 3 IN THE MORNING WHEN YOU'RE BY YOURSELF? DO YOU JUST KIND OF HAVE TO--
> Bono: I GET ALONG GREAT WITH MYSELF!
> George: IS IT THE REAL YOU? IS IT DIFFICULT? DO YOU HAVE MOMENTS WHERE YOU GO, "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
> Bono: I'M HAVING A PRETTY SURREAL KIND OF LIFE, I WOULD ACCEPT. THE MUSIC TELLS ME WHAT TO DO ALWAYS, TELLS YOU WHAT SHOES TO WEAR, WHAT VIDEOS TO MAKE. IT TELLS YOU HOW TO BEHAVE. THE MUSIC-- MUSIC WAS THE THING, THE ALARM CLOCK REALLY. ROCK 'N' ROLL WAS THE ALARM CLOCK THAT KIND OF WOKE ME UP AND IT STILL KEEPS ME SHARP.
> \M It's a beautiful day \M \E \M Don't let it get away \M \E \M Beautiful day \M \E
> Bono: I REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE A PUNK ROCK BAND, AND I WAS-- WHATEVER, 16, 17 YEARS OLD, GARAGE BANDS, GARAGE LAND, I REMEMBER THINKING, "IF AND WHEN WE MAKE IT, YOU KNOW, AND WE GET THERE, I DON'T JUST WANT TO FORGET, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE'S ANOTHER WORLD OUT THERE." REALLY, IT WAS KIND OF HARDWIRED INTO OUR BAND, THAT SENSE OF, YOU KNOW, MUSIC AND BRINGS WITH IT, YOU KNOW, LIBERATION IN A WAY. THAT'S WHAT ROCK 'N' ROLL MEANS TO ME IS LIBERATION: SEXUALLY, SPIRITUALLY AND IN SOME CASES POLITICALLY.
> Bono: SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW THERE IS A MOVE TO GET CHEAP GENERIC DRUGS FROM HERE TO AFRICA. THIS IS GREAT NEWS. (Cheering) IF YOU FOLLOW THROUGH ON THIS PROMISE, OTHER COUNTRIES WILL FOLLOW YOU.
> George: HAVE YOU BEEN PISSING YOUR BAND OFF? DID YOU MAKE A QUOTE THE OTHER DAY THAT "THIS ALBUM HAS A LOT OF ANGRY GUITARS"?
> Bono: YEAH, THE EDGE, THIS GUY IS THE MOST GIFTED GUITAR PLAYER OF HIS GENERATION, MOST GENERATIONS BECAUSE HE ACTUALLY OWNS SOMETHING UNIQUE. MOST GUITAR PLAYERS ARE JUST REGURGITATING THE VIEWS, METAL RIFFS WE HAVE HEARD, BLACK SABBATH, GREAT AND ALL, BUT HE'S AN ORIGINAL OF THE SPECIES.
> \M And if the night runs over \M \E \M And if the day won't last \M \E
> Bono: HE'S KIND OF SHY ABOUT IT AND ONLY TAKES THE GUITAR OUT OF THE CASE ON FORMAL OCCASIONS. HE'S KIND OF EMBARRASSED BY BEING A GUITAR PLAYER. WELL, HE'S GOTTEN OVER HIS EMBARRASSMENT ON THIS RECORD. I THINK IT'S HIM SICK OF THE SIGHT OF ME SHAKING DODGY POLITICIANS BY THE HAND. IT'S THAT KIND OF RECORD. IT'S LIKE "WE ARE A ROCK BAND!" I'M OKAY WITH THAT. I'M SICK OF THE SIGHT, TOO. I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS STUFF. I'M DOING IT BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE ARE NOT DOING IT. IN A WAY, THAT'S THE MOST CASTIGATING PIECE OF EVIDENCE, THAT YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO A ROCK STAR TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS. YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE PROFESSIONAL, BUT THEY'RE NOT-- BUT, YOU KNOW, IN POLITICS, THEY'RE NOT THERE...
> Bono: THE CANADIAN VOICE IS HARDWIRED IN MY HEART. I'M A FAN...
> Bono: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TIME FOR CANADA AND FOR THE WORLD. CANADA HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN LEADING THE WORLD DOWN A CERTAIN PATH.
> Bono: WITH PAUL MARTIN'S HELP, WE MADE PROGRESS ON THIS, BUT WE'RE STILL COLLECTING THESE DEBTS AT THE EXPENSE OF PEOPLE'S LIVES. LET'S PLEASE FINISH WHAT WE STARTED AND CANCEL THE REST OF THE DEBTS. THIS IS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF.
> George: ALL RIGHT. SO I'M SURE LOTS OF POLITICIANS ASK YOU TO SHOW UP. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS ONE?
> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S A QUESTION-- I SAID NO ACTUALLY IN MY HEAD BECAUSE OF THE ALBUM SCHEDULE, WORKING WITH U2 AND BEING AWAY, AND THEN I THOUGHT, "YOU KNOW, THIS GUY WHEN I WASN'T-- WHEN IT WASN'T-- WHEN IT WAS A RISK PERHAPS, TOOK MY CALLS, FOLLOWED THROUGH ON THOSE CALL, MADE THE CASE FOR DEBT CANCELLATION, THE IDEA OF DROPPING THE DEBTS OWED BY THE POOREST COUNTRIES TO THE RICHEST.
> Bono: THROUGHOUT THE 1990s, A PERIOD OF UNIMAGINABLE WEALTH AND PROSPERITY, AS A PERCENTAGE OF NATIONAL INCOME, WE GAVE LESS AND LESS AND LESS.
> Bono: IT WAS ALSO A CHANCE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO, YOU KNOW, AN ENTIRE COUNTRY.
> Bono: THE CANADIAN VOICE IS HARDWIRED IN MY HEART. I'M A FAN BECAUSE A CERTAIN KIND OF IDEALISM STILL SEEM TO BE ALIVE IN THIS COUNTRY. (Cheering and applause)
> Bono: IT'S AN IMPORTANT TIME FOR CANADA AND THE WORLD, AND CANADA HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN LEADING THE WORLD DOWN A CERTAIN PATH.
> George: IS IT HARD FOR YOU TO SIDE UP WITH A POLITICIAN SOMETIMES WHEN YOU DON'T-- BECAUSE POLITICIANS HAVE SO MANY POLICIES AND SO MANY THINGS AND YOU'RE NOT SURE IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THAT?
> Bono: YEAH. (Chuckling) YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.
> Bono: I'M NOT A SUPPORTER OF THE LIBERAL PARTY. I'M NOT. (Boos from audience)
> Bono: I'M NOT A SUPPORTER OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY. I LIKE PARTIES, THOUGH!
> Bono: POLITICIANS ARE A FUNNY LOT, YOU KNOW. AS I GREW UP IN MY TEENAGED YEARS, I JUST DESPISED THEM. A LOT OF THEM WERE CORRUPT IN DUBLIN, IRELAND. A LOT OF THE BEAUTY OF THE CITY I GREW UP IN, DUBLIN, HAD THE EYES GOUGED OUT OF IT BY CORRUPT POLITICIANS, BUILDERS. SO I DIDN'T HAVE A VERY HIGH OPINION OF POLITICIANS GROWING UP. BUT RIGHT NOW, I'VE GOT MORE FAITH IN THEM THAN I EVER COULD HAVE IMAGINED SIMPLY BECAUSE-- I MEAN A LOT OF THE SMART ONES COULD BE MAKING A FORTUNE IF THEY HAD GONE INTO THE COMMERCIAL WORLD. POLITICIANS ARE LIKE COPS AND PRIESTS--
> George: (Chuckling)
> Bono: YOU KNOW, THEY BECOME A POLITICIAN FOR THE WORST OR BEST REASONS.
> George: YEAH. YOU'RE USED TO ALL OF THOSE, AREN'T YOU?
> Bono: YES.
> Bono: I'M GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST PAIN IN HIS ASS! (Applause and whistling)
> Bono: A YEAR DOWN THE LINE-- A YEAR DOWN THE LINE, HE'S GOING TO REGRET TONIGHT! (Laughter)
> Bono: I CAN IMAGINE THE STAFF MEETING, "WHOSE IDEA WAS IT TO INVITE BONO?"
> George: WHEN YOU GET YOUR PRIVATE FACE TIME WITH HIM, DOES HE MAKE PROMISES TO YOU AND SAY, "HERE'S WHAT I'M GOING TO DO?"
> Bono: WELL, THE SMART ONES DON'T MAKE PROMISES THEY CAN'T KEEP.
> George: DID PAUL?
> Bono: NO, HE DIDN'T. SO I ASKED PAUL MARTIN, I SAID, "LOOK, WILL YOU HELP?" AND HE SAID HE WOULD. HE DIDN'T COMMIT TO ANY TIME OR, YOU KNOW, SCHEDULE ON THAT, BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT HE WILL FOLLOW THROUGH.
> Paul Martin: WE HAVE JUST SEEN AN INCREDIBLE SPEECH BY BONO. HE AND PEOPLE LIKE HIM HAVE BROUGHT NEW URGENCY TO THE PLIGHT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD. (Applause) WHY HAS HE DONE IT? BECAUSE HE CARES!
> Bono: JUST TO MAKE IT REAL. IN UGANDA, WHICH IS AN INCREDIBLE COUNTRY, BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, LAND-LOCKED BUT RICH. THEY HAVE TWO HARVESTS EVERY YEAR. IT'S AN AMAZING PLACE. THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN HAVE GOTTEN TO SCHOOL BECAUSE OF MONEY THAT--
> George: THEY'RE NOT PAYING BACK.
> Bono: THAT THEY'RE NOT PAYING BACK ON OLD DEBTS. HAVING VISITED THOSE SCHOOLS AND SEEING THOSE TEACHERS, THE CHILDREN IN THOSE SCHOOLS AND REALIZING WHY WE ALL WORK TOGETHER, IT'S AMAZING. I REMEMBER A POLITICIAN IN-- FROM THE SOUTH IN THE U.S., HE WAS GOING, "THIS MONEY'S GOING DOWN A RAT HOLE!"
> George: (Chuckling)
> Bono: LOOKING AT PHOTOGRAPHS OF A WATER HOLE.
> George: THE RAT HOLE, EH?
> Bono: IT HAD BEEN PAID FOR BY DEBT CANCELLATION. IT WAS AN AMAZING MOMENT TO ME TO BE THAT. THE GUY IN QUESTION, I BECAME A REAL SUPPORTER. I CAME TO REALLY LIKE HIM. HE WAS JUST ARGUING THE HARD-NOSED THING BECAUSE CORRUPTION IS A REAL PROBLEM IN AFRICA. WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR PEOPLE TO GIVE MORE MONEY UNLESS WE CAN SEE WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING.
> George: IS IT A GREED IN THE SENSE THAT THEY JUST CAN'T LET GO OF MONEY? IS THERE A LACK OF COMPASSION, NOT JUST FROM LEADERS BUT PEOPLE IN GENERAL?
> Bono: I THINK PEOPLE ARE GENEROUS, I REALLY DO, AS LONG AS THEY KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING. THE REASON WHY PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO PUT THEIR HANDS IN THEIR POCKETS IS IF THEY THINK THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE IMPACT WITH THEIR TAX DOLLARS. IF WE CAN CONVINCE CANADA THAT THE CANADIAN DOLLARS CAN TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF AFRICAN FOREVER... IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT VALUE FOR MONEY, THE IDEA THAT FOR 20 CENTS YOU CAN GIVE A PREGNANT WOMAN A DRUG CALLED NEVIRAPINE AND SHE WILL NOT PASS AIDS ON TO HER CHILD, I MEAN WHO WOULDN'T? LOOK, THERE'S-- BUMS ON STREETS WOULD PUT THEIR HANDS IN, IF IT'S THEIR LAST PENNY, AND GIVE THAT WOMAN 20 CENTS. YOU WOULD; I WOULD. BUT OUR CAMPAIGN IS NOT REALLY ABOUT PEOPLE GIVING MONEY, WHICH IS TO THEIR OWN CONSCIENCE TO DECIDE HOW THEY SHOULD RESPOND TO THE EMERGENCY. WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS GIVE YOUR GOVERNMENT PERMISSION. YOU HAVE ALREADY GIVEN TO THEM AND THIS WILL CHANGE THE WAY THE WORLD SEES CANADA, NOT JUST THE WAY CANADA SEES THE WORLD. OUR BAND JUST FEELS TO ME VERY RELEVANT RIGHT NOW. LOOK, IT'S EASY TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IT'S VERY HARD TO BE RELEVANT. \M It's a beautiful day \M \E
> Bono: IF I THOUGHT WE HAD MADE OUR BEST RECORDS AND WE WERE ON CRUISE CONTROL HERE OUT TO THE AIRPORT, I WOULD JUMP OUT THE DOOR. \M ...healing \M \E \M Fingertips \M \E \M And burn like fire \M \E \M This burning desire \M \E
> George: HOW'S YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SPIRITUALITY CHANGED? THE OLDER YOU GET, DO NEW THINGS DAWN ON YOU?
> Bono: WELL, I THINK WHAT YOU DISCOVER IS GOD IS EVEN BIGGER THAN YOU THINK. IT'S VERY HARD--
> George: THAT HE DOESN'T NEED YOUR HELP? (Chuckling)
> Bono: THAT'S RIGHT. YOU GO, "I CAN HELP GOD HERE. I'M SURE HE'S STUCK, THOSE KIDS IN AFRICA AND STUFF, I'LL HELP." GOD DOESN'T NEED YOUR HELP. THERE'S A BLESSING SOMEBODY SAID TO ME-- I SAID THIS TO YOU LAST NIGHT. A WISE MAN, A SPIRITUAL MAN SAID THIS: HE SAID STOP ASKING GOD TO ASK-- GOD TO BLESS WHAT YOU'RE DOING BONO. IT'S ALREADY BLESSED. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GUESS WHAT'S ON GOD'S MIND. IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR GOD AND CAN'T FIND GOD, HE'S WITH THE POOREST, MOST VULNERABLE, MOST WRETCHED LIVES. THAT'S WHERE GOD HANGS OUT. IF YOU WANT TO GET CLOSER TO GOD, THAT'S A KEY. IN YOUR OWN MOMENT OF DESPAIR, IN YOUR OWN MOMENT OF WRETCHEDNESS, YOU'RE ALSO CLOSER TO GOD. BUT I DON'T TALK ABOUT GOD VERY MUCH BECAUSE I'M NOT A VERY GOOD ADVERTISEMENT FOR IT.
> George: DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR AFTERLIFE?
> Bono: I'M HAVING IT NOW. HEAVEN ON EARTH... WE NEED IT NOW. I'M REALLY HAVING THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY LIFE. I REALLY DO FEEL BLESSED. I'M HAVING A LOT OF LAUGHS. I FEEL, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW MAKING THE BEST MUSIC WITH THE BEST ROCK 'N' ROLL BAND IN THE WORLD. YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE THESE GREAT PEOPLE OUT THERE... BUT RIGHT NOW, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYONE AS INTERESTING AS U2 BECAUSE THERE'S MORE DIMENSION-- THE HEAD-BANGERS-- WE CAN BANG HEADS AND FISTS. WE HAVE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO BREAK YOUR HEARTS. WELL, YOU KNOW, WE'LL BREAK THE BONE IN YOUR RIB CAGE AND PULL YOUR HEART OUT. THERE'S PEOPLE IF OUT THERE THAT HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY BUT HAVEN'T GOT THE TUNES. SO OUR BAND JUST FEELS TO ME VERY RELEVANT RIGHT NOW. IT'S EASY TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IT'S VERY HARD TO BE RELEVANT. \M It's a beautiful day \M \E \M Don't let it get away \M \E
> Bono: I REMEMBER WHEN, YOU KNOW, WHEN BANDS CAME THROUGH, AND I REMEMBER THE FEELING THAT SOMEBODY WAS REALLY ON IT, AND, YOU KNOW, I CAN REMEMBER WHEN NIRVANA CAME THROUGH. I REMEMBER WHEN I HEARD THE PIXIES. THE WHITE STRIPES ARE LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW. IT'S LIKE JACK WHITE, THERE'S REALLY SOMETHING GOING ON THERE. BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB... I'M NOT UNCOMFORTABLE IN THEIR COMPANY. IF I THOUGHT WE HAD MADE OUR BEST RECORDS AND WE WERE ON CRUISE CONTROL OUT TO THE AIRPORT HERE, I WOULD JUMP OUT THE DOOR. I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THAT. I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THAT BAND. RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT IT GOING ON.
> \M Oh... \M \E \M Oh... \M \E
> George: DO YOU EVER FEEL THAT MOMENT THAT MAYBE THAT WAS GOING AWAY?
> Bono: YEAH, YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN TIMES WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE A LONG-- A BIG DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TUNE HERE IN YOUR HEAD AND THE ONE YOU HAVE IN YOUR HANDS, AND THAT HAPPENS AT TIMES. IT'S FRUSTRATING. I'M NOT A PARTICULARLY ABLE MUSICIAN, YOU KNOW, PIANO PLAYER, GUITAR PLAYER. I CAN WRITE FOR THESE INSTRUMENTS, BUT I'M SO LUCKY TO HAVE A BAND LIKE U2 WHERE-- AND THEY'RE JUST GETTING BETTER AND BETTER. I DON'T KNOW HOW. I CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT. IT'S LIKE LARRY MULLEN-- I'M IN THE STUDIO AND IT'S LIKE "HOW IS HE BETTER THAN HE WAS?" I DON'T THINK HE PRACTICES. LARRY, I THINK, GOES TO THE SHOOTING RANGE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE WOULD DO... RIDE HIS MOTORCYCLE AROUND AMERICA. HE'S NOT IN THERE; HE'S NOT THAT KIND OF GUY. BUT I THINK PART OF IT WITH MUSICIANS IS PART IS ABOUT THE LIFE STARTS TO COME THROUGH THE WORK. AND AS YOU GO YOUR WAY, AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE WORLD, IT JUST-- IT JUST CHANGES THE WAY YOU PLAY AND IT MAKES YOU BETTER.
> \M Walk on \M \E \M Walk on \M \E
> George: SO MANY PEOPLE WHEN THEY REACH A CERTAIN LEVEL, THAT LIFE IS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE LIFE THAT GOT THEM THERE.
> Bono: THAT'S TRUE. WELL, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IF YOUR WHOLE MODUS OPERANDI IS A CERTAIN KIND OF SUCCESS TO GET THERE, WELL THEN WHEN YOU'VE GOTTEN THERE, YOU'RE IN TROUBLE. THEY SAY WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, SO YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO. I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE A BIT OF SUCCESS, MAKE A BIT OF MONEY, GET A NICE APARTMENT, HANG SOME ART ON THE WALL, YOU KNOW... AS ZIGGY POP SAYS, "HERE COMES MY CHINESE RUG." THEY GET INTO ALL THIS STUFF AND SUDDENLY MUSIC IS NOT WHERE THEY'RE AT. THEY'RE MORE WITH FURNITURE... (Chuckling) YOU KNOW? IT'S NOT A GREAT TRADE. IT'S NOT A GREAT TRADE. THEN WHEN THEY WANT TO GET BACK IN THE GAME, THEY CAN'T. I'M IRISH; I'M A ROCK STAR. I MEAN IT'S HARD TO SHUT ME UP ON POLITICS, BUT I'VE HAD TO SHUT UP BECAUSE NOW I'M NOT REPRESENTING MYSELF. I'M REPRESENTING PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A VOICE IN THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE, YOU KNOW, THE G-8, AND I'VE, YOU KNOW, I'M REPRESENTING THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE AIDS AND CAN'T GET ACCESS TO DRUGS. I'M REPRESENTING THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE FARMERS, WHO ARE-- YOU KNOW, WHO WE WON'T LET THEIR PRODUCTS BE PUT ON OUR SHELVES. I'M REPRESENTING COUNTRIES WHO ARE STILL PAYING MORE SERVICING OLD DEBTS THAN THEY ARE ON HEALTH AND EDUCATION. THEY'RE MY BOSS. I'M WORKING FOR THEM. I JUST HAVE TO GAG MYSELF NOW, AND I MEET PEOPLE WHO I WOULDN'T HAVE-- IRISHLY, I WOULDN'T WANT TO DRINK WITH, BUT I'LL HAVE SUPPER WITH THE DEVIL IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE AND I PROBABLY HAVE.
> \M Who's to say where the wind will take you? \M \E \M Who's to say what it is will break you? \M \E \M I don't know \M \E \M Whichever way... \M \E
> Bono: THE REAL DARKNESS IN THE WORLD IS NEVER THE DESPOT. IT'S THE SMILING BUREAUCRAT. IT'S THE CIVIL--
> George: THE GUY YOU'RE IN THE CO-OP WITH.
> Bono: PROBABLY THE GUY WHO'S ORGANIZED THE FOOD. SO, YOU KNOW, AS BOB MARLEY SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TO BE INNOCENT AS A... SHREWD AS A SERPENT.
> George: THANK YOU.
> Bono: GEORGE, I AM A FAN. I WOULDN'T BE RIDING IN ANYONE ELSE'S LIMO. WHY IS IT A LIMO? OH, GOD! (Laughing) (Music)
--MuchMusic.com
MuchMusic.com has posted a transcript of reporter George
Stroumboulopoulos's interview with Bono last week in Toronto that you can read below. The transcript includes music cues and lines from speeches that were shown in the television broadcast so may be hard to follow at times.
> THIS IS A MuchMusic SPECIAL PRESENTATION.
> I'M IRISH; I'M A ROCK STAR. IT'S HARD TO SHUT ME UP. I'M REPRESENTING THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE AIDS AND CAN'T GET ACCESS TO DRUGS. I'M REPRESENTING COUNTRIES WHO ARE STILL PAYING MORE SERVICING OLD DEBTS THAN THEY ARE ON HEALTH AND EDUCATION. I'LL HAVE SUPPER WITH THE DEVIL IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE. WE'RE STILL KEEPING ENTIRE COUNTRIES IN DEBTOR'S PRISON IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD. IS THAT NOT INEFFICIENT? (Applause)
> Bono: WE HAVE A ONCE IN A MILLENNIUM CHANCE TO CHANGE THE WORLD. ARE YOU WITH ME? (Cheering)
> Bono: CAN ANY ONE COUNTRY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? YES, CANADA CAN. \M I want to run \M \E \M I want to hide \M \E
> George: WHEN YOU SEE ALL THIS STUFF AND YOU'RE PART OF IT, WHAT'S IT LIKE FOR YOU AT 3 IN THE MORNING WHEN YOU'RE BY YOURSELF? DO YOU JUST KIND OF HAVE TO--
> Bono: I GET ALONG GREAT WITH MYSELF!
> George: IS IT THE REAL YOU? IS IT DIFFICULT? DO YOU HAVE MOMENTS WHERE YOU GO, "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
> Bono: I'M HAVING A PRETTY SURREAL KIND OF LIFE, I WOULD ACCEPT. THE MUSIC TELLS ME WHAT TO DO ALWAYS, TELLS YOU WHAT SHOES TO WEAR, WHAT VIDEOS TO MAKE. IT TELLS YOU HOW TO BEHAVE. THE MUSIC-- MUSIC WAS THE THING, THE ALARM CLOCK REALLY. ROCK 'N' ROLL WAS THE ALARM CLOCK THAT KIND OF WOKE ME UP AND IT STILL KEEPS ME SHARP.
> \M It's a beautiful day \M \E \M Don't let it get away \M \E \M Beautiful day \M \E
> Bono: I REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE A PUNK ROCK BAND, AND I WAS-- WHATEVER, 16, 17 YEARS OLD, GARAGE BANDS, GARAGE LAND, I REMEMBER THINKING, "IF AND WHEN WE MAKE IT, YOU KNOW, AND WE GET THERE, I DON'T JUST WANT TO FORGET, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE'S ANOTHER WORLD OUT THERE." REALLY, IT WAS KIND OF HARDWIRED INTO OUR BAND, THAT SENSE OF, YOU KNOW, MUSIC AND BRINGS WITH IT, YOU KNOW, LIBERATION IN A WAY. THAT'S WHAT ROCK 'N' ROLL MEANS TO ME IS LIBERATION: SEXUALLY, SPIRITUALLY AND IN SOME CASES POLITICALLY.
> Bono: SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW THERE IS A MOVE TO GET CHEAP GENERIC DRUGS FROM HERE TO AFRICA. THIS IS GREAT NEWS. (Cheering) IF YOU FOLLOW THROUGH ON THIS PROMISE, OTHER COUNTRIES WILL FOLLOW YOU.
> George: HAVE YOU BEEN PISSING YOUR BAND OFF? DID YOU MAKE A QUOTE THE OTHER DAY THAT "THIS ALBUM HAS A LOT OF ANGRY GUITARS"?
> Bono: YEAH, THE EDGE, THIS GUY IS THE MOST GIFTED GUITAR PLAYER OF HIS GENERATION, MOST GENERATIONS BECAUSE HE ACTUALLY OWNS SOMETHING UNIQUE. MOST GUITAR PLAYERS ARE JUST REGURGITATING THE VIEWS, METAL RIFFS WE HAVE HEARD, BLACK SABBATH, GREAT AND ALL, BUT HE'S AN ORIGINAL OF THE SPECIES.
> \M And if the night runs over \M \E \M And if the day won't last \M \E
> Bono: HE'S KIND OF SHY ABOUT IT AND ONLY TAKES THE GUITAR OUT OF THE CASE ON FORMAL OCCASIONS. HE'S KIND OF EMBARRASSED BY BEING A GUITAR PLAYER. WELL, HE'S GOTTEN OVER HIS EMBARRASSMENT ON THIS RECORD. I THINK IT'S HIM SICK OF THE SIGHT OF ME SHAKING DODGY POLITICIANS BY THE HAND. IT'S THAT KIND OF RECORD. IT'S LIKE "WE ARE A ROCK BAND!" I'M OKAY WITH THAT. I'M SICK OF THE SIGHT, TOO. I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS STUFF. I'M DOING IT BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE ARE NOT DOING IT. IN A WAY, THAT'S THE MOST CASTIGATING PIECE OF EVIDENCE, THAT YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO A ROCK STAR TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS. YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE PROFESSIONAL, BUT THEY'RE NOT-- BUT, YOU KNOW, IN POLITICS, THEY'RE NOT THERE...
> Bono: THE CANADIAN VOICE IS HARDWIRED IN MY HEART. I'M A FAN...
> Bono: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TIME FOR CANADA AND FOR THE WORLD. CANADA HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN LEADING THE WORLD DOWN A CERTAIN PATH.
> Bono: WITH PAUL MARTIN'S HELP, WE MADE PROGRESS ON THIS, BUT WE'RE STILL COLLECTING THESE DEBTS AT THE EXPENSE OF PEOPLE'S LIVES. LET'S PLEASE FINISH WHAT WE STARTED AND CANCEL THE REST OF THE DEBTS. THIS IS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF.
> George: ALL RIGHT. SO I'M SURE LOTS OF POLITICIANS ASK YOU TO SHOW UP. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS ONE?
> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S A QUESTION-- I SAID NO ACTUALLY IN MY HEAD BECAUSE OF THE ALBUM SCHEDULE, WORKING WITH U2 AND BEING AWAY, AND THEN I THOUGHT, "YOU KNOW, THIS GUY WHEN I WASN'T-- WHEN IT WASN'T-- WHEN IT WAS A RISK PERHAPS, TOOK MY CALLS, FOLLOWED THROUGH ON THOSE CALL, MADE THE CASE FOR DEBT CANCELLATION, THE IDEA OF DROPPING THE DEBTS OWED BY THE POOREST COUNTRIES TO THE RICHEST.
> Bono: THROUGHOUT THE 1990s, A PERIOD OF UNIMAGINABLE WEALTH AND PROSPERITY, AS A PERCENTAGE OF NATIONAL INCOME, WE GAVE LESS AND LESS AND LESS.
> Bono: IT WAS ALSO A CHANCE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO, YOU KNOW, AN ENTIRE COUNTRY.
> Bono: THE CANADIAN VOICE IS HARDWIRED IN MY HEART. I'M A FAN BECAUSE A CERTAIN KIND OF IDEALISM STILL SEEM TO BE ALIVE IN THIS COUNTRY. (Cheering and applause)
> Bono: IT'S AN IMPORTANT TIME FOR CANADA AND THE WORLD, AND CANADA HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN LEADING THE WORLD DOWN A CERTAIN PATH.
> George: IS IT HARD FOR YOU TO SIDE UP WITH A POLITICIAN SOMETIMES WHEN YOU DON'T-- BECAUSE POLITICIANS HAVE SO MANY POLICIES AND SO MANY THINGS AND YOU'RE NOT SURE IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THAT?
> Bono: YEAH. (Chuckling) YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.
> Bono: I'M NOT A SUPPORTER OF THE LIBERAL PARTY. I'M NOT. (Boos from audience)
> Bono: I'M NOT A SUPPORTER OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY. I LIKE PARTIES, THOUGH!
> Bono: POLITICIANS ARE A FUNNY LOT, YOU KNOW. AS I GREW UP IN MY TEENAGED YEARS, I JUST DESPISED THEM. A LOT OF THEM WERE CORRUPT IN DUBLIN, IRELAND. A LOT OF THE BEAUTY OF THE CITY I GREW UP IN, DUBLIN, HAD THE EYES GOUGED OUT OF IT BY CORRUPT POLITICIANS, BUILDERS. SO I DIDN'T HAVE A VERY HIGH OPINION OF POLITICIANS GROWING UP. BUT RIGHT NOW, I'VE GOT MORE FAITH IN THEM THAN I EVER COULD HAVE IMAGINED SIMPLY BECAUSE-- I MEAN A LOT OF THE SMART ONES COULD BE MAKING A FORTUNE IF THEY HAD GONE INTO THE COMMERCIAL WORLD. POLITICIANS ARE LIKE COPS AND PRIESTS--
> George: (Chuckling)
> Bono: YOU KNOW, THEY BECOME A POLITICIAN FOR THE WORST OR BEST REASONS.
> George: YEAH. YOU'RE USED TO ALL OF THOSE, AREN'T YOU?
> Bono: YES.
> Bono: I'M GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST PAIN IN HIS ASS! (Applause and whistling)
> Bono: A YEAR DOWN THE LINE-- A YEAR DOWN THE LINE, HE'S GOING TO REGRET TONIGHT! (Laughter)
> Bono: I CAN IMAGINE THE STAFF MEETING, "WHOSE IDEA WAS IT TO INVITE BONO?"
> George: WHEN YOU GET YOUR PRIVATE FACE TIME WITH HIM, DOES HE MAKE PROMISES TO YOU AND SAY, "HERE'S WHAT I'M GOING TO DO?"
> Bono: WELL, THE SMART ONES DON'T MAKE PROMISES THEY CAN'T KEEP.
> George: DID PAUL?
> Bono: NO, HE DIDN'T. SO I ASKED PAUL MARTIN, I SAID, "LOOK, WILL YOU HELP?" AND HE SAID HE WOULD. HE DIDN'T COMMIT TO ANY TIME OR, YOU KNOW, SCHEDULE ON THAT, BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT HE WILL FOLLOW THROUGH.
> Paul Martin: WE HAVE JUST SEEN AN INCREDIBLE SPEECH BY BONO. HE AND PEOPLE LIKE HIM HAVE BROUGHT NEW URGENCY TO THE PLIGHT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD. (Applause) WHY HAS HE DONE IT? BECAUSE HE CARES!
> Bono: JUST TO MAKE IT REAL. IN UGANDA, WHICH IS AN INCREDIBLE COUNTRY, BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, LAND-LOCKED BUT RICH. THEY HAVE TWO HARVESTS EVERY YEAR. IT'S AN AMAZING PLACE. THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF CHILDREN HAVE GOTTEN TO SCHOOL BECAUSE OF MONEY THAT--
> George: THEY'RE NOT PAYING BACK.
> Bono: THAT THEY'RE NOT PAYING BACK ON OLD DEBTS. HAVING VISITED THOSE SCHOOLS AND SEEING THOSE TEACHERS, THE CHILDREN IN THOSE SCHOOLS AND REALIZING WHY WE ALL WORK TOGETHER, IT'S AMAZING. I REMEMBER A POLITICIAN IN-- FROM THE SOUTH IN THE U.S., HE WAS GOING, "THIS MONEY'S GOING DOWN A RAT HOLE!"
> George: (Chuckling)
> Bono: LOOKING AT PHOTOGRAPHS OF A WATER HOLE.
> George: THE RAT HOLE, EH?
> Bono: IT HAD BEEN PAID FOR BY DEBT CANCELLATION. IT WAS AN AMAZING MOMENT TO ME TO BE THAT. THE GUY IN QUESTION, I BECAME A REAL SUPPORTER. I CAME TO REALLY LIKE HIM. HE WAS JUST ARGUING THE HARD-NOSED THING BECAUSE CORRUPTION IS A REAL PROBLEM IN AFRICA. WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR PEOPLE TO GIVE MORE MONEY UNLESS WE CAN SEE WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING.
> George: IS IT A GREED IN THE SENSE THAT THEY JUST CAN'T LET GO OF MONEY? IS THERE A LACK OF COMPASSION, NOT JUST FROM LEADERS BUT PEOPLE IN GENERAL?
> Bono: I THINK PEOPLE ARE GENEROUS, I REALLY DO, AS LONG AS THEY KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING. THE REASON WHY PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO PUT THEIR HANDS IN THEIR POCKETS IS IF THEY THINK THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE IMPACT WITH THEIR TAX DOLLARS. IF WE CAN CONVINCE CANADA THAT THE CANADIAN DOLLARS CAN TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF AFRICAN FOREVER... IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT VALUE FOR MONEY, THE IDEA THAT FOR 20 CENTS YOU CAN GIVE A PREGNANT WOMAN A DRUG CALLED NEVIRAPINE AND SHE WILL NOT PASS AIDS ON TO HER CHILD, I MEAN WHO WOULDN'T? LOOK, THERE'S-- BUMS ON STREETS WOULD PUT THEIR HANDS IN, IF IT'S THEIR LAST PENNY, AND GIVE THAT WOMAN 20 CENTS. YOU WOULD; I WOULD. BUT OUR CAMPAIGN IS NOT REALLY ABOUT PEOPLE GIVING MONEY, WHICH IS TO THEIR OWN CONSCIENCE TO DECIDE HOW THEY SHOULD RESPOND TO THE EMERGENCY. WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS GIVE YOUR GOVERNMENT PERMISSION. YOU HAVE ALREADY GIVEN TO THEM AND THIS WILL CHANGE THE WAY THE WORLD SEES CANADA, NOT JUST THE WAY CANADA SEES THE WORLD. OUR BAND JUST FEELS TO ME VERY RELEVANT RIGHT NOW. LOOK, IT'S EASY TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IT'S VERY HARD TO BE RELEVANT. \M It's a beautiful day \M \E
> Bono: IF I THOUGHT WE HAD MADE OUR BEST RECORDS AND WE WERE ON CRUISE CONTROL HERE OUT TO THE AIRPORT, I WOULD JUMP OUT THE DOOR. \M ...healing \M \E \M Fingertips \M \E \M And burn like fire \M \E \M This burning desire \M \E
> George: HOW'S YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SPIRITUALITY CHANGED? THE OLDER YOU GET, DO NEW THINGS DAWN ON YOU?
> Bono: WELL, I THINK WHAT YOU DISCOVER IS GOD IS EVEN BIGGER THAN YOU THINK. IT'S VERY HARD--
> George: THAT HE DOESN'T NEED YOUR HELP? (Chuckling)
> Bono: THAT'S RIGHT. YOU GO, "I CAN HELP GOD HERE. I'M SURE HE'S STUCK, THOSE KIDS IN AFRICA AND STUFF, I'LL HELP." GOD DOESN'T NEED YOUR HELP. THERE'S A BLESSING SOMEBODY SAID TO ME-- I SAID THIS TO YOU LAST NIGHT. A WISE MAN, A SPIRITUAL MAN SAID THIS: HE SAID STOP ASKING GOD TO ASK-- GOD TO BLESS WHAT YOU'RE DOING BONO. IT'S ALREADY BLESSED. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GUESS WHAT'S ON GOD'S MIND. IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR GOD AND CAN'T FIND GOD, HE'S WITH THE POOREST, MOST VULNERABLE, MOST WRETCHED LIVES. THAT'S WHERE GOD HANGS OUT. IF YOU WANT TO GET CLOSER TO GOD, THAT'S A KEY. IN YOUR OWN MOMENT OF DESPAIR, IN YOUR OWN MOMENT OF WRETCHEDNESS, YOU'RE ALSO CLOSER TO GOD. BUT I DON'T TALK ABOUT GOD VERY MUCH BECAUSE I'M NOT A VERY GOOD ADVERTISEMENT FOR IT.
> George: DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR AFTERLIFE?
> Bono: I'M HAVING IT NOW. HEAVEN ON EARTH... WE NEED IT NOW. I'M REALLY HAVING THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY LIFE. I REALLY DO FEEL BLESSED. I'M HAVING A LOT OF LAUGHS. I FEEL, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW MAKING THE BEST MUSIC WITH THE BEST ROCK 'N' ROLL BAND IN THE WORLD. YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE THESE GREAT PEOPLE OUT THERE... BUT RIGHT NOW, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYONE AS INTERESTING AS U2 BECAUSE THERE'S MORE DIMENSION-- THE HEAD-BANGERS-- WE CAN BANG HEADS AND FISTS. WE HAVE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO BREAK YOUR HEARTS. WELL, YOU KNOW, WE'LL BREAK THE BONE IN YOUR RIB CAGE AND PULL YOUR HEART OUT. THERE'S PEOPLE IF OUT THERE THAT HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY BUT HAVEN'T GOT THE TUNES. SO OUR BAND JUST FEELS TO ME VERY RELEVANT RIGHT NOW. IT'S EASY TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IT'S VERY HARD TO BE RELEVANT. \M It's a beautiful day \M \E \M Don't let it get away \M \E
> Bono: I REMEMBER WHEN, YOU KNOW, WHEN BANDS CAME THROUGH, AND I REMEMBER THE FEELING THAT SOMEBODY WAS REALLY ON IT, AND, YOU KNOW, I CAN REMEMBER WHEN NIRVANA CAME THROUGH. I REMEMBER WHEN I HEARD THE PIXIES. THE WHITE STRIPES ARE LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW. IT'S LIKE JACK WHITE, THERE'S REALLY SOMETHING GOING ON THERE. BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB... I'M NOT UNCOMFORTABLE IN THEIR COMPANY. IF I THOUGHT WE HAD MADE OUR BEST RECORDS AND WE WERE ON CRUISE CONTROL OUT TO THE AIRPORT HERE, I WOULD JUMP OUT THE DOOR. I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THAT. I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THAT BAND. RIGHT NOW, WE'VE GOT IT GOING ON.
> \M Oh... \M \E \M Oh... \M \E
> George: DO YOU EVER FEEL THAT MOMENT THAT MAYBE THAT WAS GOING AWAY?
> Bono: YEAH, YOU KNOW, THERE'S BEEN TIMES WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE A LONG-- A BIG DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TUNE HERE IN YOUR HEAD AND THE ONE YOU HAVE IN YOUR HANDS, AND THAT HAPPENS AT TIMES. IT'S FRUSTRATING. I'M NOT A PARTICULARLY ABLE MUSICIAN, YOU KNOW, PIANO PLAYER, GUITAR PLAYER. I CAN WRITE FOR THESE INSTRUMENTS, BUT I'M SO LUCKY TO HAVE A BAND LIKE U2 WHERE-- AND THEY'RE JUST GETTING BETTER AND BETTER. I DON'T KNOW HOW. I CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT. IT'S LIKE LARRY MULLEN-- I'M IN THE STUDIO AND IT'S LIKE "HOW IS HE BETTER THAN HE WAS?" I DON'T THINK HE PRACTICES. LARRY, I THINK, GOES TO THE SHOOTING RANGE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE WOULD DO... RIDE HIS MOTORCYCLE AROUND AMERICA. HE'S NOT IN THERE; HE'S NOT THAT KIND OF GUY. BUT I THINK PART OF IT WITH MUSICIANS IS PART IS ABOUT THE LIFE STARTS TO COME THROUGH THE WORK. AND AS YOU GO YOUR WAY, AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE WORLD, IT JUST-- IT JUST CHANGES THE WAY YOU PLAY AND IT MAKES YOU BETTER.
> \M Walk on \M \E \M Walk on \M \E
> George: SO MANY PEOPLE WHEN THEY REACH A CERTAIN LEVEL, THAT LIFE IS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE LIFE THAT GOT THEM THERE.
> Bono: THAT'S TRUE. WELL, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IF YOUR WHOLE MODUS OPERANDI IS A CERTAIN KIND OF SUCCESS TO GET THERE, WELL THEN WHEN YOU'VE GOTTEN THERE, YOU'RE IN TROUBLE. THEY SAY WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, SO YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO. I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE A BIT OF SUCCESS, MAKE A BIT OF MONEY, GET A NICE APARTMENT, HANG SOME ART ON THE WALL, YOU KNOW... AS ZIGGY POP SAYS, "HERE COMES MY CHINESE RUG." THEY GET INTO ALL THIS STUFF AND SUDDENLY MUSIC IS NOT WHERE THEY'RE AT. THEY'RE MORE WITH FURNITURE... (Chuckling) YOU KNOW? IT'S NOT A GREAT TRADE. IT'S NOT A GREAT TRADE. THEN WHEN THEY WANT TO GET BACK IN THE GAME, THEY CAN'T. I'M IRISH; I'M A ROCK STAR. I MEAN IT'S HARD TO SHUT ME UP ON POLITICS, BUT I'VE HAD TO SHUT UP BECAUSE NOW I'M NOT REPRESENTING MYSELF. I'M REPRESENTING PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A VOICE IN THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE, YOU KNOW, THE G-8, AND I'VE, YOU KNOW, I'M REPRESENTING THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE AIDS AND CAN'T GET ACCESS TO DRUGS. I'M REPRESENTING THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE FARMERS, WHO ARE-- YOU KNOW, WHO WE WON'T LET THEIR PRODUCTS BE PUT ON OUR SHELVES. I'M REPRESENTING COUNTRIES WHO ARE STILL PAYING MORE SERVICING OLD DEBTS THAN THEY ARE ON HEALTH AND EDUCATION. THEY'RE MY BOSS. I'M WORKING FOR THEM. I JUST HAVE TO GAG MYSELF NOW, AND I MEET PEOPLE WHO I WOULDN'T HAVE-- IRISHLY, I WOULDN'T WANT TO DRINK WITH, BUT I'LL HAVE SUPPER WITH THE DEVIL IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THE JOB DONE AND I PROBABLY HAVE.
> \M Who's to say where the wind will take you? \M \E \M Who's to say what it is will break you? \M \E \M I don't know \M \E \M Whichever way... \M \E
> Bono: THE REAL DARKNESS IN THE WORLD IS NEVER THE DESPOT. IT'S THE SMILING BUREAUCRAT. IT'S THE CIVIL--
> George: THE GUY YOU'RE IN THE CO-OP WITH.
> Bono: PROBABLY THE GUY WHO'S ORGANIZED THE FOOD. SO, YOU KNOW, AS BOB MARLEY SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TO BE INNOCENT AS A... SHREWD AS A SERPENT.
> George: THANK YOU.
> Bono: GEORGE, I AM A FAN. I WOULDN'T BE RIDING IN ANYONE ELSE'S LIMO. WHY IS IT A LIMO? OH, GOD! (Laughing) (Music)
--MuchMusic.com
