Elvis Presley and America

[secretly alone]

I adore this song. There's something special in the things that U2 do that are rough and kind of whatever just comes out (Rise Up being another good example, for me).

Originally Posted by bono_212

You know
And though no one told you sky
And you feel
Like you pretend you can
You say go, you live
Go live outside of me
Don't you leave
Don't leave out part of me
Then I can feel
Like I feel before
Like it hurt now
And I see the floor
If you pick me up
Bits and pieces on this floor

And I love how I could just hear that in my head as I read it.

[bono_212]

Oh man, "Rise Up" is definitely another great one.

[ElectricalStorm]

Originally Posted by LuckyNumber7

That part and the 'bits and pieces' as well.

Oh yes, that one too... The ending of EPAA is definitely in my top 5 of favorite TUF moments

[nielsgov]

Great song but I've never understood a thing Bono sings.

The cover is pretty good too.

[kramwest1]

I LOVE this song. Always have. It's a fabulous poem that just happens to have excellent delivery and music to back it.

[LemonMelon]

Originally Posted by LuckyNumber7

Yeah I was gonna say, I believe most artists use layered vocals. I just think there's an offset on the layering to create that echoing effect, although once again I'm not a musical person at all. Just what it sounds like.

Yeah, I hear the same. They definitely put some kind of tremolo effect on the vocals, although maybe they just double-tracked it. Didn't affect the pitch the way I would expect a double-tracked vocal to, however. Hmm.

Thanks for the compliments on the cover...in hindsight, I wish I had come up with a solid vocal melody myself, but I wanted to match the careless spirit of the original, which does lack a specific vocal melody. Bono could be singing over anything, really, but that's part of the charm. I'm not an obsessed fan of the original, I feel like it could have been much better had they fleshed out Bono's portion of it, but it's still pretty good as is.

[dan_smee]

listening now for the first time in ages... fucking incredible

[Marien]

Originally Posted by theedgeu2

Singing just takes time, patience, and some work effort. In no time most people can learn to sing properly, if they practice. I started vocal lessons in October and I've gotten better by miles in just about six months. So all I'm saying is if you can train yourself correctly you CAN learn to sing.

Yes... and no, patience, practise and proper instruction can teach you something as with any other instrument, but being a trully gifted singer is something different, as it is different when someone plays the piano or the guitar (after learning to) and when a real master does it. I can tell you because after years of training I'm not a good singer, of course, I'm better than I used to be, but not good.

[pop marter]

Never understood what Bono is singing on this song and I've never wanted to - like other people have said, it's part of what makes the song and gives it mystery.

[sunnysideoflove]

This is one of the best lyrics ever, it's a mirror of Elvis, he was a jigsaw that needed peicig back together, he was a creschendo and the song captures that perfectly x