Often we talk about songs that are active in the set, cut from the set, or retired from the live setting, but what do we mean by that?
I think it would be interesting if we were to clarify what constitutes an active song. I'll offer an attempt at a definition, and I'm interested to see what others contribute. I already know my criteria will result in a couple of funny results, but oh well.
100% active
During/just after a tour: Songs that have been played at the last ten shows.
Before a new tour: Songs that have been played at promo and other appearances since the last tour.
Songs that are currently 100% active:
- All Because Of You
- Beautiful Day
- City Of Blinding Lights
- Desire
- I Will Follow
- MLK
- Original Of The Species
- Out Of Control
- One
- Pride (In The Name Of Love)
- Rain
- She's A Mystery To Me
- Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
- Sunday Bloody Sunday
- The Hands That Built America
- Vertigo
- Walk On
- Where The Streets Have No Name
Technically active
During a tour: Songs that have been played on the current leg of the tour but are not setlist regulars ['regular' is defined as being played at the majority of shows in a selected sample; I propose the latest ten, as by then, any performance pattern is evident].
Before a new tour: Songs played at the last ten shows of the previous tour.
These songs may or may not prove to be genuinely active but can nonetheless be classified as active.
Songs that are currently technically active:
- All I Want Is You
- Angel Of Harlem
- Bad
- Bullet The Blue Sky
- Elevation
- In God's Country
- I Shall Be Released
- I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
- Kite
- Knockin' On Heaven's Door
- Mysterious Ways
- My Sweet Lord
- New Year's Day
- New York
- People Get Ready
- Please
- Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of
- Until The End Of The World
- What's Going On?
- Wild Honey
Cut
A song that is removed from performances during a tour leg, between tour legs, or between tours. Every song not listed above that has been performed live can be considered cut.
Examples:
Cut during a tour leg: Do You Feel Loved, after the first six Popmart shows.
Cut between tour legs: Ultra Violet, before the final leg of ZooTV.
Cut between tours: Zoo Station, which was played at all ZooTV shows but has not been played since,
Retired
A song that U2 have cut and do not play any more.
Retired songs: Every U2 song not listed above in the 100% and technically active categories. This does not mean that a given song will never be played again. 11 O'clock Tick Tock was considered cut for ten years before it was played on 5 December 2000.
Agree/disagree with the definitions? Any songs I have failed to list in my categories? Thoughts?
I think it would be interesting if we were to clarify what constitutes an active song. I'll offer an attempt at a definition, and I'm interested to see what others contribute. I already know my criteria will result in a couple of funny results, but oh well.
100% active
During/just after a tour: Songs that have been played at the last ten shows.
Before a new tour: Songs that have been played at promo and other appearances since the last tour.
Songs that are currently 100% active:
- All Because Of You
- Beautiful Day
- City Of Blinding Lights
- Desire
- I Will Follow
- MLK
- Original Of The Species
- Out Of Control
- One
- Pride (In The Name Of Love)
- Rain
- She's A Mystery To Me
- Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
- Sunday Bloody Sunday
- The Hands That Built America
- Vertigo
- Walk On
- Where The Streets Have No Name
Technically active
During a tour: Songs that have been played on the current leg of the tour but are not setlist regulars ['regular' is defined as being played at the majority of shows in a selected sample; I propose the latest ten, as by then, any performance pattern is evident].
Before a new tour: Songs played at the last ten shows of the previous tour.
These songs may or may not prove to be genuinely active but can nonetheless be classified as active.
Songs that are currently technically active:
- All I Want Is You
- Angel Of Harlem
- Bad
- Bullet The Blue Sky
- Elevation
- In God's Country
- I Shall Be Released
- I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
- Kite
- Knockin' On Heaven's Door
- Mysterious Ways
- My Sweet Lord
- New Year's Day
- New York
- People Get Ready
- Please
- Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of
- Until The End Of The World
- What's Going On?
- Wild Honey
Cut
A song that is removed from performances during a tour leg, between tour legs, or between tours. Every song not listed above that has been performed live can be considered cut.
Examples:
Cut during a tour leg: Do You Feel Loved, after the first six Popmart shows.
Cut between tour legs: Ultra Violet, before the final leg of ZooTV.
Cut between tours: Zoo Station, which was played at all ZooTV shows but has not been played since,
Retired
A song that U2 have cut and do not play any more.
Retired songs: Every U2 song not listed above in the 100% and technically active categories. This does not mean that a given song will never be played again. 11 O'clock Tick Tock was considered cut for ten years before it was played on 5 December 2000.
Agree/disagree with the definitions? Any songs I have failed to list in my categories? Thoughts?
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