Ten reasons why 'Miracle Drug' wasn't a huge song.
Some of which have already been said.
1. Obviously, it wasn't released as a single.
2. Between a pretty decent chorus are some downright lulls.
For example, the Edge 'solo' bridge is nice but not conducive to airplay. The song ends too early as well.
3. Despite a decent chorus, it's not a hook. Not for the lame brain pop charts and for that matter, it's not rocky enough to go anywhere else.
4. Bringing me to the demographic. Outside of an ardent U2 fan, what demographic is this song going to appeal to on a large enough basis to make it a huge hit?
5. U2 and any other rock band full of 45 year olds would have trouble buying a hit on the mainstream charts. Actually, with very few exceptions, rock bands in general are having trouble making any noise with the pop charts.
6. Brings me to the charts themselves, what chart would this song belong on? Whatever chart is the prime spot, it won't fit.
7. I think the song itself it about 1/3 greatness, 1/3 stock U2, 1/3 clumsy. This song doesn't feel like it was fully realized.
8. "Freedom is the scent........"
9. I don't think a lot of big U2 fans-turned casual fans or just casual fans in general buy this song on a large level. It's U2 on auto-pilot. This is a huge section of people that would need to take a song up the charts. Vertigo, I think people bought into.
10. I think the biggest factor, personally is the chorus.
It's only a decent chorus because the first 2/3 of it is a pretty damn good chorus with a pretty embarassing end.
"The songs are in your eyes, I see them when you smile, I've had enough of romantic love, I'm not given up....." up until that point, it's good.
And then the clumsy (for lack of a better term) "on a miracle drug" It's not the lyric or the idea, it's that delivery. The chorus builds and builds and demands a climactic punchline. Instead it's Bono whimpering "a miracle drug".
As all of those reasons, I believe, are legitimate. I think ultimately there is not enough in that song that demands a non-U2 devotee to want to go and buy a download. It was, IMO, a down point of the live shows. Lacking energy.
Had the band themselves beleived more in the song or even the A&R guy (whatever they are called these days) with the label. I'm sure they woud have tried and released it as a single.
I don't fault them for their single selection on HTDAAB.
I think they got it about right. Two rockers, a quintiessential sounding U2 arena song, a ballad and a Beatles-esque pop tune.
Miracle Drug would have had to have been better than OOTS to make an argument for itself. I don't think it was even close.