Mrs. Edge
Bono's Belly Dancing Friend
Today, my mom and I got into a big fight about my U2 obsession, in which she accused me of being no different than a drug addict.
Back in 1992, I got into this same fight with her, as well as the guy who ran this rock band I worked for. He even had the gall to accuse me of being like Mark David Chapman!!! So I wrote a little essay called "The U2 obsession Explained" to try to convince them both of how wrong they are/were. I doubt it changed their minds, but it sure gave me a good laugh today, so I've posted it for you!
You can tell how innocent and earnest I was back then, but basically, I still stand behind all that I said. LOL at the very last sentence!!
THE U2 OBSESSION EXPLAINED
U2 has been the soundtrack to my life for the past 9 years. To explain their importance to me in words is very difficult. It's something that could only truly be understood by another U2 fan and it is for this reason that there is such mass euphoria at a U2 concert. Following are two lists: One filled with reasons for my devotion to the band, the other a list of reasons why my obsessions are not psychotic, dangerous, unhealthy, etc.
Why I Will Always Love U2 No Matter What:
The quality of the band's songs may wax and wane (mostly the former), they may break up or disappear (God forbid!!!), and they might even do something horrible that will tarnish the whole U2 experience and disappoint me deeply, but I will always love them for the following 16 reasons (in no particular order):
1)They were the first band after the Beatles that I ever got into. The first U2 contact I ever had was with I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and it was on heavy rotation on Muchmusic. I remember thinking "Not them again!!!" Yet still being fascinated. Such charisma!!! And who was that charming lead singer and sad looking guitarist???
2)Soaking myself in U2 gave me the musical open mindedness to listen to more music and expanded my range of musical taste and favourite bands.
3)My first concert ever was the Joshua Tree Tour, an experience that completely blew me away and turned interest into obsession. First fell in love with The Edge at that show.
4)The first Muchmusic spotlight I ever taped was of U2 right after the concert. I then taped the songs off the TV and listened to them incessantly the entire Thanksgiving weekend. Thanksgiving will always remind me of U2. I listened to the tape constantly until the purchase of The Joshua Tree, then Boy, then every other thing they have ever produced.
5) U2 (particularly Edge & Bono) provided me with fantasy fare, (early short story writing, about 35 stories in all) and a (fantasy) love life, something I was completely lacking all through my high school years. Finding out The Edge was married was completely devastating!
6)Through the Propaganda pen pal list I have had more good friends than ever in my life, people from around the world, whom I would otherwise never have met.
7)Had I not fallen for The Edge, I would never have been introduced to Steve and I would not be married (or probably even have a boyfriend for that matter!) today!
8)U2 despise apathy, are anti IRA, anti Heroin, and have always supported Greenpeace and Amnesty International, two of my favourite charities. They have always emphasised that fans should not support a cause because the band does, they should be of their own mind.
9)U2 are Irish, intelligent, gorgeous and have beautiful accents. They are still just as self-effacing and funny as ever.
10)Musically, there is no sound in the world to compare to U2. NOTHING sounds better to me than U2. Even their weaker songs are superior to most rubbish out there. The sound of Bono's voice and Edge's guitar courses through my veins and fills me with utter ecstasy. Bad and With or Without You alone are reasons enough to crown U2 with the Greatest Band Ever award!
11)When I first heard about their image and sound change for Acthtung Baby, I was so furious I threatened to burn all my U2 stuff. After calming down and listening to the album I realised that U2 have never disappointed me in any way yet on this musical journey. They have always been a band unafraid of, and having admitted to falling on their face, but they are not afraid to try new things or to grow. Their image, sound and number of fans may change, I might not love everything they do, but they will always be brilliant.
12)There is NO band that can top U2 live. The experience of a live show is like none other on earth. The interaction and relationship they have with their audience could teach a lot to a good many bands.
13)They have always treated the fans with the utmost respect and kindness. Bono could easily tell people like me to fuck off etc, but no, he sat down and had coffee with us for half an hour and a great chat. I have not heard one report from a fan about being mistreated by any member of the band.
14)They have always been loyal to their friends and employees dating back to way before they were famous.
15)U2's goals are always artistic, never commercial. They are always striving to do better. "I've always thought the summit of Mount Everest must be a very depressing place!"-Edge
16)They have never professed to be anything other than a rock & roll band. "You can't be disillusioned unless you've had illusions to begin with." -Bono
What I Would Do Without U2 and Why My Love of U2 Will Not Take Me Over The Edge:
1)Obviously there is a difference between U2 fading away, and breaking up and my reactions would be very different:
a)If U2 were to merely fade away, I would be forever wondering what could possibly have led to such a sad end. As long as the band are together, I will always go out to see them and buy their material, while cursing everyone for being so stupid. At least there would be more for the rest of us!
b)If U2 were to break up, or be killed, I would be completely devastated. It would seem like the end of the world for awhile. What would be the point in anything without U2? Yes this is irrational, but haven't I the right to react that way at the loss of a loved one? I would be angry at the waste, the tragedy, the end of an era, and the loss of a vital part of myself. I would wonder if there was anything worth getting involved with (musically) again. I would cry, sit at home alone, contemplate suicide, not want to speak to anyone. I would get over it eventually, but it would be a long time and no band would ever take their place.
2)If U2 were to do something disgusting or horrible, I would think they are going through a lapse in judgement because they are human and I would be tremendously disappointed in them. The music however, should never have to suffer or sound any different because of the actions of the band itself. I would have to remind myself that you have to separate the music from the musicians. I realize I have said that I love U2 for both elements, but ultimately the music is what's important. U2 can do interviews and sound stupid (which rarely happens) but the music is the true U2 and that will never change.
3)I realize that my devotion is pretty fanatical. I think there is nothing wrong with being loyal to, or believing in something to the death as long as you aren't destructive of others. One thing no U2 fan (unless mentally ill) would do is impose their feelings/opinions on others to a harmful extent. This separates us from followers of hateful and harmful cults. U2 fans have minds of their own and are not brainwashed! If U2 does something to annoy them, they won't fail to criticize, with U2's blessing! This is the difference between an objective fan and a subjective fan like Mark David Chapman. Mark David Chapman lived through John Lennon and thought of him as a saviour. He was disillusioned by him and felt he no longer deserved to live. Although U2 fans have their subjective moments, the key difference is that Mark David Chapman was insane!!!
Back in 1992, I got into this same fight with her, as well as the guy who ran this rock band I worked for. He even had the gall to accuse me of being like Mark David Chapman!!! So I wrote a little essay called "The U2 obsession Explained" to try to convince them both of how wrong they are/were. I doubt it changed their minds, but it sure gave me a good laugh today, so I've posted it for you!
You can tell how innocent and earnest I was back then, but basically, I still stand behind all that I said. LOL at the very last sentence!!
THE U2 OBSESSION EXPLAINED
U2 has been the soundtrack to my life for the past 9 years. To explain their importance to me in words is very difficult. It's something that could only truly be understood by another U2 fan and it is for this reason that there is such mass euphoria at a U2 concert. Following are two lists: One filled with reasons for my devotion to the band, the other a list of reasons why my obsessions are not psychotic, dangerous, unhealthy, etc.
Why I Will Always Love U2 No Matter What:
The quality of the band's songs may wax and wane (mostly the former), they may break up or disappear (God forbid!!!), and they might even do something horrible that will tarnish the whole U2 experience and disappoint me deeply, but I will always love them for the following 16 reasons (in no particular order):
1)They were the first band after the Beatles that I ever got into. The first U2 contact I ever had was with I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and it was on heavy rotation on Muchmusic. I remember thinking "Not them again!!!" Yet still being fascinated. Such charisma!!! And who was that charming lead singer and sad looking guitarist???
2)Soaking myself in U2 gave me the musical open mindedness to listen to more music and expanded my range of musical taste and favourite bands.
3)My first concert ever was the Joshua Tree Tour, an experience that completely blew me away and turned interest into obsession. First fell in love with The Edge at that show.
4)The first Muchmusic spotlight I ever taped was of U2 right after the concert. I then taped the songs off the TV and listened to them incessantly the entire Thanksgiving weekend. Thanksgiving will always remind me of U2. I listened to the tape constantly until the purchase of The Joshua Tree, then Boy, then every other thing they have ever produced.
5) U2 (particularly Edge & Bono) provided me with fantasy fare, (early short story writing, about 35 stories in all) and a (fantasy) love life, something I was completely lacking all through my high school years. Finding out The Edge was married was completely devastating!
6)Through the Propaganda pen pal list I have had more good friends than ever in my life, people from around the world, whom I would otherwise never have met.
7)Had I not fallen for The Edge, I would never have been introduced to Steve and I would not be married (or probably even have a boyfriend for that matter!) today!
8)U2 despise apathy, are anti IRA, anti Heroin, and have always supported Greenpeace and Amnesty International, two of my favourite charities. They have always emphasised that fans should not support a cause because the band does, they should be of their own mind.
9)U2 are Irish, intelligent, gorgeous and have beautiful accents. They are still just as self-effacing and funny as ever.
10)Musically, there is no sound in the world to compare to U2. NOTHING sounds better to me than U2. Even their weaker songs are superior to most rubbish out there. The sound of Bono's voice and Edge's guitar courses through my veins and fills me with utter ecstasy. Bad and With or Without You alone are reasons enough to crown U2 with the Greatest Band Ever award!
11)When I first heard about their image and sound change for Acthtung Baby, I was so furious I threatened to burn all my U2 stuff. After calming down and listening to the album I realised that U2 have never disappointed me in any way yet on this musical journey. They have always been a band unafraid of, and having admitted to falling on their face, but they are not afraid to try new things or to grow. Their image, sound and number of fans may change, I might not love everything they do, but they will always be brilliant.
12)There is NO band that can top U2 live. The experience of a live show is like none other on earth. The interaction and relationship they have with their audience could teach a lot to a good many bands.
13)They have always treated the fans with the utmost respect and kindness. Bono could easily tell people like me to fuck off etc, but no, he sat down and had coffee with us for half an hour and a great chat. I have not heard one report from a fan about being mistreated by any member of the band.
14)They have always been loyal to their friends and employees dating back to way before they were famous.
15)U2's goals are always artistic, never commercial. They are always striving to do better. "I've always thought the summit of Mount Everest must be a very depressing place!"-Edge
16)They have never professed to be anything other than a rock & roll band. "You can't be disillusioned unless you've had illusions to begin with." -Bono
What I Would Do Without U2 and Why My Love of U2 Will Not Take Me Over The Edge:
1)Obviously there is a difference between U2 fading away, and breaking up and my reactions would be very different:
a)If U2 were to merely fade away, I would be forever wondering what could possibly have led to such a sad end. As long as the band are together, I will always go out to see them and buy their material, while cursing everyone for being so stupid. At least there would be more for the rest of us!
b)If U2 were to break up, or be killed, I would be completely devastated. It would seem like the end of the world for awhile. What would be the point in anything without U2? Yes this is irrational, but haven't I the right to react that way at the loss of a loved one? I would be angry at the waste, the tragedy, the end of an era, and the loss of a vital part of myself. I would wonder if there was anything worth getting involved with (musically) again. I would cry, sit at home alone, contemplate suicide, not want to speak to anyone. I would get over it eventually, but it would be a long time and no band would ever take their place.
2)If U2 were to do something disgusting or horrible, I would think they are going through a lapse in judgement because they are human and I would be tremendously disappointed in them. The music however, should never have to suffer or sound any different because of the actions of the band itself. I would have to remind myself that you have to separate the music from the musicians. I realize I have said that I love U2 for both elements, but ultimately the music is what's important. U2 can do interviews and sound stupid (which rarely happens) but the music is the true U2 and that will never change.
3)I realize that my devotion is pretty fanatical. I think there is nothing wrong with being loyal to, or believing in something to the death as long as you aren't destructive of others. One thing no U2 fan (unless mentally ill) would do is impose their feelings/opinions on others to a harmful extent. This separates us from followers of hateful and harmful cults. U2 fans have minds of their own and are not brainwashed! If U2 does something to annoy them, they won't fail to criticize, with U2's blessing! This is the difference between an objective fan and a subjective fan like Mark David Chapman. Mark David Chapman lived through John Lennon and thought of him as a saviour. He was disillusioned by him and felt he no longer deserved to live. Although U2 fans have their subjective moments, the key difference is that Mark David Chapman was insane!!!