In defense of the often beaten up Miami on this forum of Elevationites:
Miami is an ode to beat poetry, it's not supposed to conform to your classic pop song routine. It's not a great line, it's not a clever line, it's not a hook, it's not even a chorus, it's not supposed to be. It's observation, stream of conscious, random, intenionally done so.
Maybe you think it's crap, that's fine, I think the line is pretty ridiculous myself but the manner of that song is to set a mood, not change the world, make a statement or to get on the fucking top 40. The poetry or seemingly nonsensical observation is just a vehicle for the music. It's a mood piece, on a moody languished album. It' s an ode to confusion. "My mammy" is indeed the worst line in the song, but is it given more weight than the "do-do-do-do or the yeah-yeah-yeah-yeahs" in other songs???
It's the same fucking thing, nonsensical fill-in's. At least "Miami, my mammy" contains the name of the song. But when Bono hits the "who-hoo's" in Pride or Elevation or COBL, now that is lyrical genius. Why aren't those mentioned? Because you get those?
My mammy is the same thing, if it's not then explain why.
In fact, is the omission of the "ba-pa-da da-da-ta-da-da" before Miami a signal that it doesn't count?? Inconsistent at best.
Again that particular line is pretty trite and pretty crap but to hold it to the same fire that other terrible lines are is dealing with apples and oranges.
Catorce, y'all!!!