Moshepop
The Fly
I don't remember where i read about Bono saying that Original
of the Species was influenced by The Beatles or Lennon, anyone
has an idea?
of the Species was influenced by The Beatles or Lennon, anyone
has an idea?
Why is Original of the Species related to The Beatles or Lennon?
- Thread starter Moshepop
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
VintagePunk
Blue Crack Distributor
From the very first time I heard it, I thought the song had a very distinct Beatle-esque sound, especially during the "Didit, didit, didit..." part.
According to the setlist thread, Bono made a reference to Lennon before the song last night in Hartford (is this what you're referring to?). It's anyone's guess if he was speaking instrumentally, or lyrically. The lyrical intent has been discussed ad nauseum around here, and I've never heard any mention of Lennon. However, we all know that Bono is quite liberal in his attribution of lyrical meaning/inspiration, often changing to suit the occasion. It was probably just a reference to Lennon's influence on music, and him being an innovator.
According to the setlist thread, Bono made a reference to Lennon before the song last night in Hartford (is this what you're referring to?). It's anyone's guess if he was speaking instrumentally, or lyrically. The lyrical intent has been discussed ad nauseum around here, and I've never heard any mention of Lennon. However, we all know that Bono is quite liberal in his attribution of lyrical meaning/inspiration, often changing to suit the occasion. It was probably just a reference to Lennon's influence on music, and him being an innovator.
VintagePunk
Blue Crack Distributor
Utoo said:
So true! Pick your favorite song and your favorite inspiration/meaning for it, and next thing you know Bono's changed his mind about the origins, etc., in the next interview he does. Ay de mi!
The one that gets me is RTSS being dedicated to the American Troops. Where does he come up with this stuff??
Roland of Gilead
Gunslinger
OOTS is the closest U2 have come to sounding like the Beatles. This was obvious from day one of the album's release. The last time U2 have come this close to sounding like the Beatles was All I Want is You. These are two amazing songs.
nurse chrissi
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
I've always thought that Wild Honey had a Beatles vibe to it as well
WalkOn21
Refugee
What? Really?mabel said:
Well it's BTBS now on the 3rd leg! Seems a bit odd to me.
Bono's losing it now. Dedicating an anti-America song to US troops.
WalkOn21 said:
What? Really?
Bono's losing it now. Dedicating an anti-America song to US troops.
It's not really BTBS, per se, that he's dedicating. It's the "Johnny Comes Marching" portion, as well as the acting part, that he's dedicating.
Johnny comes marching home again,
hoorah, hoorah.
Johnny comes marching home again,
hoorah, hoorah.
No matter what he's done,
no matter what he's seen,
let Johnny come safely home to me.....
The thought that it's really BTBS in itself that's being dedicated has led to a bit of confusion...
MumblingBono
War Child
I think OOTS is the first time they've really, truly aped the Beatles.
Last night in Hartford he remarked something like "more than half of this song was directly ripped from The Beatles" or something like that...
Last night in Hartford he remarked something like "more than half of this song was directly ripped from The Beatles" or something like that...
U2 started recording Atomic Bomb with Chris Thomas producing. Chris began his career working with the Beatles as a recording engineer. During the sessions for their 1968 album The Beatles (aka The White Album), when Beatles producer George Martin went on vacation, Chris Thomas actually ended up serving as their producer for many songs, though he was never officially credited as such. Bono has said the Beatles are his favorite band and that this White Album is the blueprint for U2, due to its diversity in styles of music.
In 2003, Bono was quoted that during the Atomic Bomb sessions with Chris Thomas, the guys spent a lot of time excitedly talking to him about his work with the Beatles, as well as with the Sex Pistols, who he also produced.
I believe that Chris' participation in the recording directly led to U2 recording such a Beatles sounding song as Original Of The Species.
In 2003, Bono was quoted that during the Atomic Bomb sessions with Chris Thomas, the guys spent a lot of time excitedly talking to him about his work with the Beatles, as well as with the Sex Pistols, who he also produced.
I believe that Chris' participation in the recording directly led to U2 recording such a Beatles sounding song as Original Of The Species.
WalkOn21
Refugee
Then still, it's not the best choice to dedicate a song that's linked to BTBS to the US troops.Utoo said:
Hell, I think it's hypocrite anyway, dedicating anything to the US troops while you're playing anti-America songs in the same concert.
WalkOn21 said:
What? Really?
Bono's losing it now. Dedicating an anti-America song to US troops.
Bullet is not an anti-America song, it's an anti American foreign policy song.
In the concerts he is saying that while he disagrees with the US military actions in Iraq, as in El Salvador in the 1980s (the subject of the song lyrics), he fully supports the people who by choice or not by choice, are out there putting their lives on the line in support of their country.
AtomicBono
ONE love, blood, life
Utoo said:
Right. Just because someone has a "support our troops" ribbon on their car does NOT mean they support the war itself (though my mom and I actually have a "bring 'em home!" ribbon
).as for OOTS, the song itself is very Beatlesesque, that's what he means. and it's perfect.
ADecentMelody
War Child
Wild Honey and Original of the Species - definitely Beatlesque. In particular, check out the cascading guitars during Give you everything you want...except the thing that you want. This is very Lennon-esque.
joerags
War Child
The violins in OOTS are very Beatle-eque. That was my first impression when I first heard this song.
U2DMfan
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
it's the sweeping string arrangement
and also the chorus guitar, which to me sounds like Harrison with some delay.
and also the chorus guitar, which to me sounds like Harrison with some delay.
U2Man
ONE love, blood, life
I think the single version is even more Beatlesque. What do you guys think?
U2DMfan
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
Quite possibly, hard to say. I haven't heard it near as much as the album version.
I think OOTS and Wild Honey are two of U2's most Beatlesy songs.
I think OOTS and Wild Honey are two of U2's most Beatlesy songs.
Slapnutz
Refugee
To be honest, I always get a Stones vibe from Wild Honey
U2Man
ONE love, blood, life
I get a Kinks vibe from Flower Child.
WalkOn21
Refugee
OK, to go offtopic just one more time:
It's true Bono only "supports" the troops in a way of "let them come home alive". Still, it creates the impression he supports the war too. Those who know him just a little bit better, won't think that (c'mon, Bono supporting a war), but just the I-like-the-music-but-I-don't-know-anything-about-U2 fans could get the impression that Bono actually has no problems with the Iraq war.
And now back to OOTS and how beatle-esque it is.
I'm off now, the movie Hard Day's Night is on tv here (not joking).
It's true Bono only "supports" the troops in a way of "let them come home alive". Still, it creates the impression he supports the war too. Those who know him just a little bit better, won't think that (c'mon, Bono supporting a war
), but just the I-like-the-music-but-I-don't-know-anything-about-U2 fans could get the impression that Bono actually has no problems with the Iraq war.And now back to OOTS and how beatle-esque it is.
I'm off now, the movie Hard Day's Night is on tv here (not joking).
MacPhistoPT
Rock n' Roll Doggie
WalkOn21 said:I'm off now, the movie Hard Day's Night is on tv here (not joking).
Here too!
WalkOn21 said:
I dunno. I think that we on this board don't often give "casual fans" the benefit of the doubt intelligence-wise..
Unless they're of the black-and-white "your with us or you're against us" brand, I think that most could figure it out, even if they don't know the intricate details of Bono's politics. 
Anyhoosers.....
Moshepop
The Fly
VintagePunk said:
Yeah That is what i was refering to. I totally agree the first time i head it, The Beatles influence was obvious. The genius thing about it is that despice the obvious refrence, the song remains unique and genuine. Its not imitating, its assimilating it and making it yours.
gherman
New Yorker
Before HTDAAB came out Bono refered to OOTS as their Beatles tune.
LMP
Blue Crack Supplier
Wasn't Original of the Species around since the ATYCLB days?
so would Chris Thomas have less of an influence over it? Or was it pretty different before the HTDAAB sessions?
so would Chris Thomas have less of an influence over it? Or was it pretty different before the HTDAAB sessions?
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