When Bono forgets partial words to a song live...

[theu2fly]

Do you think he then puts 100% of himself into the song and makes it more passionate? I've noticed this watching some of the Elevation / Vertigo even 360 shows where he forgets the words to some songs then comes back either belting a chorus, or extends the song as in a way to make up for the mistake he made...

As if in Bono's mind "Oh crap, I forgot the words... oh well, I'll just perform the hell out of the remainder of this song!"

 

[europop2005]

doesn't Edge by default make up the rest of the song?

 

[Mrs. Garrison]

GOP Front-runner BONO mistakes Gay Vietnam Veteran for "ten inch cockatoo"; McGuinness "OOPS....Lots of hits"

 

[Cactus Annie]

Do you think he's showing early signs? Never mind. It's not as serious as last year is it?

 

[LuckyNumber7]

You could say it is quite "Bad" when he forgets words?

It's really "Bad" though when he doesn't even try to remember the words. He just says the same ones over and over again.

 

[The Panther]

The funnier matter is his utter incompetence in getting the lyrics to other people's songs correct. I guess there's something brave about talking up other great artists and then butchering their lyrics night after night, but I'm sure it has rubbed some people the wrong way -- although Dylan apparently was quite amused in '84 when Bono had no idea of the lyrics to "Blowin' in the Wind" and must made up his own. However, this was no one-time thing. In the late 80s, Bono invented the line about "the horsemen" in "All Along the Watchtower". Likewise, "Maggie's Farm" often got reduced to one (nevertheless incorrect) verse, as that was all Bono could apparently remember of it. Over the years, his inability to remember the lyrics to songs he supposedly loves has become endearing... but it's still kind of weird.

 

[cobl04]

Can you change the names of 15 U2 song titles to reflect Bono's poor memory? It'll be really, really funny.

 

[DU2]

Have anyone noticed that in Glastonbury they had screens with the lyrics going on?

What I found strange is that also Larry had one. I know he sings some choruses, especially in the No Line On The Horizon songs, but why should he need a screen with ALL the lyrics?
Weird thing.

 

[LuckyNumber7]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Larry has been seen on occasion with the lyrics in front of him dating back pretty far?

I'd imagine it's so he knows where he is in the song.

 

[The Panther]

Have anyone noticed that in Glastonbury they had screens with the lyrics going on?

What I found strange is that also Larry had one.

It's got to be for those "Oh-oh-oh"'s in "Miracle Drug" -- Larry likely needed them transcribed.

 

[digitize]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Larry has been seen on occasion with the lyrics in front of him dating back pretty far?

I'd imagine it's so he knows where he is in the song.

Both Larry and Bono having teleprompters was the case throughout the entire 360 Tour. And Bono has had one since forever (not sure when/why Larry gained one, or if Edge has one).

 

[Mrs. Garrison]

the teleprompter comes in hand when he's trying to remember the next verse in his head, and he's probably thinking to himself "did i really write the lyrics freedom has the scent like the top of a newborn baby's head" and when he sees it on the screen, its confirmed.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

They've used teleprompters for a long time. Even Springsteen uses teleprompters at this point. Makes you wonder how he ever forgets the words...

Bono even has his witty, impromptu, spontaneous between song banter on his teleprompter.

 

[DU2]

the teleprompter comes in hand when he's trying to remember the next verse in his head, and he's probably thinking to himself "did i really write the lyrics freedom has the scent like the top of a newborn baby's head" and when he sees it on the screen, its confirmed.

Brilliant

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

It sounded like he forgot the lyrics to Silent Night when he was doing that busking thing Sat night.

 

[Galeongirl]

The funnier matter is his utter incompetence in getting the lyrics to other people's songs correct. I guess there's something brave about talking up other great artists and then butchering their lyrics night after night, but I'm sure it has rubbed some people the wrong way -- although Dylan apparently was quite amused in '84 when Bono had no idea of the lyrics to "Blowin' in the Wind" and must made up his own. However, this was no one-time thing. In the late 80s, Bono invented the line about "the horsemen" in "All Along the Watchtower". Likewise, "Maggie's Farm" often got reduced to one (nevertheless incorrect) verse, as that was all Bono could apparently remember of it. Over the years, his inability to remember the lyrics to songs he supposedly loves has become endearing... but it's still kind of weird.

She really doon't liikee iiiiiiiit



Still annoys me. Every time.

 

[TheWanderingFly]

Can you change the names of 15 U2 song titles to reflect Bono's poor memory? It'll be really, really funny.

I know it's only four, but how's this?:

- When I Remember No Names (Streets)
- I Still Can't Remember What I'm Looking For (ISHFWILF)
- Edge, Rescue Me (Love Rescue Me)
- The Forgettable Fire (The Unforgettable fire)

 

[The_acrobat]

Having been in bands myself, it's easier for the drummer to lose his places in the song than any other members. Also, drummers usually have little to no involvement in the lyric writing, making them not as familiar with the song. The drummer in our band never did learn all the names to all our songs, and certainly not the lyrics. I imagine they all have teleprompters somewhere. Except maybe Edge, who is flawless. (minus frequently messing up the UTEOTW solo)

 

[Cactus Annie]

What do you think is wrong?

 

[LuckyNumber7]

It's Bono's diabetes, which everyone knows leads to Alzheimer's.

 

[Galeongirl]

He's Irish. Irish people drink far too much. It's Korsakoff's, obviously.

 

[MissVelvetDress_75]

It sounded like he forgot the lyrics to Silent Night when he was doing that busking thing Sat night.

he did? *off to find video*

 

[iota]

Stuck In A Senior Moment That You Can't Get Out Of

 

[digitize]

Sometimes You Can't Make It Without A Teleprompter... Or At All
I Know I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Remember The Lyrics Tonight
No Memory On The Horizon
Even Better Than The Real Lyrics
Where The Lyrics Have No Existence
Where The Jokes Generate No Laughs

 

[Globo14]

When I Look at the Teleprompter
Gone (Is Bono's memory)
Teleprompter (Light My Way)
All I Want Is You to Remember the Words

Any more puns, and I might Xanax and Whine!

 

[Cactus Annie]

But he's always been like it

 

[digitize]

Desire (Coherence)
Until The End Of... Something Or Another
The First Time (I Sang The Song Was Just Like This Attempt; My Recollection Of It Has Yet To Improve In Any Way Whatsoever)
Mysterious Lyrics
Discothèque (In Bono's Brain)
When I Look At The Teleprompter (It Doesn't Actually Help)
Elvis Ate My Lyric Sheet

 

[LuckyNumber7]

Pride (It Says On the Teleprompter)
The Unforgettable Lyrics
Tryin' to Throw Your Mind Around the Lyrics
Stay (In My Mind, Lyrics!)
If God Will Send My Lyrics
Staring at the Teleprompter
Mofo (I Forgot the Lyrics Mix)
Bad (Memory)


I must not be very good at these because for some reason they're not very funny.

 

[digitize]

That's the whole point.

 

[LuckyNumber7]

I know I know.

Hence the italics.