Someone explain Unknown Caller to me

[MMP]

Originally Posted by Marien

Really good interpretation, you've impressed me.

Oh... thanks!

Originally Posted by Marien

.:MrMacPhisto:. I've been listening to the song for a while and I have a question for you (I think you would like this kind of things, if not, ignore it):

Why do you think the man has survived? Couldn't it be that he walked to the light and saw the sunshine?

I have thought about it after listening to Moment of Surrender and the Unknown Caller as if they were a thematic unity, What do you think?

(This is also open to anyone who wants to contribute, thanks)

Ha! I like those questions.

It could be of course... but after the last verse we got all that instrumental section of the song. And it looks like some kind of vision or redemption. That epic feeling. (The way the lyrics are placed in a certain section of the song have a big importance here.) Like if the man's spirit comes "back to life". Clean and pure. I also believe that he has survived just because it's Bono who wrote the lyrics. I think that in a story where the man reedems himself from trying to commit suicide, Bono wouldn't "kill" the person, even if he's going into heaven. And there's the "You're free to go" lyric too. But again, those are all very ambiguous.
Yes, there's probably a reason for those two be together on the record. In Moment of Surrender, I don't think it's clear if the man saved himself or not. So, Unknown Caller could be the end of the story.
I prefer to believe that the man came "back to life" and woke up the next morning. But who knows?
The only thing that we can be sure here is that Bono is an awesome lyric writer.

[nadie]

Originally Posted by Marien

Really good interpretation, you've impressed me.

I agree! The lyrics suddenly make so much more sense.

I've been thinking that "restart" here means to begin again. He is told to pick himself up and start again - he has another chance at life.

[AEON]

Originally Posted by Village Idiot

the full circle is sunshine sunshine where the chap walks outside into the world full of hope and life. Presumely he can now start singing Beautiful Day (which is perhaps a prequel).

Good take. It seems to makes sense. I think the french horn part and Edge's solo indicate some sort of "awakening" of the character - spiritual or otherwise.

I also think this song is a great lead into Crazy. Armed with hope, faith, and love (we presume) - the character must remember that our climb to enlightment/fulfillment is a "hill not a mountain"

[Village Idiot]

Originally Posted by AEON

Good take

I also think this song is a great lead into Crazy. Armed with hope, faith, and love (we presume) - the character must remember that our climb to enlightment/fulfillment is a "hill not a mountain"

Thanks
.

Actually now that you mention it yes it is a great lead into Crazy.

I must confess that before I read this particular thread I was ambivalent regarding this track but now while I wouldn't say it's one of my favourite tracks on the album I have grown to appreciate it more. Perhaps one day I shall stop worrying and learn to love Unknown Caller

[Village Idiot]

Originally Posted by Marien

.:MrMacPhisto:. I've been listening to the song for a while and I have a question for you (I think you would like this kind of things, if not, ignore it):

Why do you think the man has survived? Couldn't it be that he walked to the light and saw the sunshine?

I have thought about it after listening to Moment of Surrender and the Unknown Caller as if they were a thematic unity, What do you think?

(This is also open to anyone who wants to contribute, thanks)

Although this isn't actually directed towards me I'll have a stab at answering. I think he survives because of God's Grace (you knows Bono's idea of Grace versus Karma); Grace takes all the blame and travels outside Karma. So even at one's lowest ebb when one has lost all hope God's love is there to save the drowning man; to, if you will, let him into the sound. Perhaps this is The Fly who now has had enough of the degeneracy and perhaps ain't enjoying hell so much anymore (didn't Bono say that the Fly was a telephone call from hell) and now there's no signal. Ok will stop there as I'm in serious danger of babbling now and making even less sense than usual.

[Marien]

Originally Posted by .:MrMacPhisto:.

Oh... thanks!



Ha! I like those questions.

It could be of course... but after the last verse we got all that instrumental section of the song. And it looks like some kind of vision or redemption. That epic feeling. (The way the lyrics are placed in a certain section of the song have a big importance here.) Like if the man's spirit comes "back to life". Clean and pure. I also believe that he has survived just because it's Bono who wrote the lyrics. I think that in a story where the man reedems himself from trying to commit suicide, Bono wouldn't "kill" the person, even if he's going into heaven. And there's the "You're free to go" lyric too. But again, those are all very ambiguous.
Yes, there's probably a reason for those two be together on the record. In Moment of Surrender, I don't think it's clear if the man saved himself or not. So, Unknown Caller could be the end of the story.
I prefer to believe that the man came "back to life" and woke up the next morning. But who knows?
The only thing that we can be sure here is that Bono is an awesome lyric writer.

Now, again, I agree with you. I think that Bono leaves it open to interpretation, maybe he finds it not really important if this person survives or not, the important thing is that he's found Grace at a critical moment in his life and from that point onwards he'll be reedemed. But, again with you, I can't imagine Bono killing the character after this.

It's so nice to find people who like this kind of things. Thank you!

[Marien]

Originally Posted by Village Idiot

Although this isn't actually directed towards me I'll have a stab at answering. I think he survives because of God's Grace (you knows Bono's idea of Grace versus Karma); Grace takes all the blame and travels outside Karma. So even at one's lowest ebb when one has lost all hope God's love is there to save the drowning man; to, if you will, let him into the sound. Perhaps this is The Fly who now has had enough of the degeneracy and perhaps ain't enjoying hell so much anymore (didn't Bono say that the Fly was a telephone call from hell) and now there's no signal. Ok will stop there as I'm in serious danger of babbling now and making even less sense than usual.

Oh, thank you for answering my question, it is open to everyone, and you know this is a forum, the higher number of poeple answer an a question, the better.

I agree with you that Grace is interrupting Karma, but I don't find it has nothing to do with the man surviving or not, I mean, if he survives the sees the light of the new day and he's free to start a new life from a new beginning, if he dies he sees the light of paradise and he's free to enjoy an eternal life without any fear there. As I've said before, I think Bono is leaving it open to interpretation deliberately.

What I can't see in this song is the Fly, for me the Fly is a metaphor of irony and cynism and I can't find a tiny bit of those in this album, I think it's a man, how he is or what circunstances have brought him to his present condition is unknown to us, may be because it doesn't matter, because Grace is for everyone without taking into account what you could have done.

But, of course, if you want, you can elaborate it, may be you convince me!

[UAME]

Originally Posted by AEON

I think the french horn part and Edge's solo indicate some sort of "awakening" of the character - spiritual or otherwise.

FYI, as is discussed here:
http://www.u2interference.com/forums...er-194113.html

the "french horn part and Edge's solo" are the chorus to the hymn "My Savior's Love", if that might help add some meaning for anyone.

[AEON]

Originally Posted by UAME

FYI, as is discussed here:
http://www.u2interference.com/forums...er-194113.html

the "french horn part and Edge's solo" are the chorus to the hymn "My Savior's Love", if that might help add some meaning for anyone.

Wow! Thanks! That actually makes perfect sense. That's amazing...

[Village Idiot]

Originally Posted by Marien

I mean, if he survives the sees the light of the new day and he's free to start a new life from a new beginning, if he dies he sees the light of paradise and he's free to enjoy an eternal life without any fear there.

Yes I see your point here. I suppose (if I have understood you correctly) using the same thinking does it really matter if he survives. In fact the word "survives" would be redundant under this understanding because either way he doesn't 'not' survive.

Originally Posted by Marien

What I can't see in this song is the Fly, for me the Fly is a metaphor of irony and cynism and I can't find a tiny bit of those in this album, I think it's a man, how he is or what circunstances have brought him to his present condition is unknown to us, may be because it doesn't matter, because Grace is for everyone without taking into account what you could have done.

But, of course, if you want, you can elaborate it, may be you convince me!

Oh I'm not saying that that is what Bono or even the song meant etc. You're right the circumstances don't matter. My comment is really just how I see it. It's more of a visual thing rather than an analytical one. Also here I wasn't talking about 'The Fly' the song itself but rather 'The Fly' the character. You know the sinner who doesn't just sin but revels in his sin. I suppose the reason why I thought of him is Bono's comment about The Fly where he says that the Fly is a guy calling from hell and enjoying it there. The line in Unknown caller "Speed-dialing with no signal at all" with the imagery of the phone call reminded me of Bono's comment regarding the Fly. Even MacPhisto's phone calls during the concerts. Actually while I've been writing this another song has reared its head, The First Time especially this bit:

My father is a rich man, he wears a rich man's cloak
Gave me the keys to his kingdom coming
Gave me a cup of gold
He said 'I have many mansions
And there are many rooms to see'
But I left by the back door
And I threw away the key

Again this idea of God calling out although the chappie in The First Time doesn't respond to the call. Just as a person when they're young feel they don't need anything or can do anything but with age comes maturity, wisdom and perhaps an awareness of one's own hubris. So for me I think I see this as a journey from being the arrogant guy in The Fly to the mellower and maybe humbler fellow in The First Time to the lonely solitary almost nihilistic figure (In a place of no consequence or company). I'm not saying that NLOTH is cynical, rather what I am saying is that this is the cure to cynicism. As the reviewer in the NME said this is an "uncynical" album. (What is the antonym of 'cynical'?)

These are just some rough thoughts or my picturing of the various songs. I suppose I tend to see all the songs as chapters in a novel (or maybe a few novels) with characters reappearing and growing older (sometimes wiser, at other times more foolish). I find fascinating how they change over time. Like how The Fly becomes MacPhisto in his old age. So although MacPhisto is meant to be a Screwtape type character I also see in him real characters i.e. not just a metaphor or a didactic characterisation but also someone who genuinely believes in what he is saying. I hope the last couple of sentences make sense.

BTW not trying to convince but trying to understand and perhaps sort out my thoughts.

[zoomann]

Maybe is Jesus that man, an God is telling him to reboot...

Just a thought..

[UAME]

Originally Posted by zoomann

Maybe is Jesus that man, an God is telling him to reboot...

Just a thought..

I don't think there is any definitive right/wrong answer (which makes this song great!), but my wife is convinced that this song is about "The Passion" - meaning the events of the day of Christ's crucifixion.

"I was lost between midnight and the dawning..." = arrested in Gethsemane

"3:33" = approx. time of Jesus' death on the cross

"Speed dialing with no signal" = "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"

Then, God in the chorus raising Christ, force-quitting the old Law, moving Sin to trash, etc, etc.

[Marien]

Originally Posted by Village Idiot

Yes I see your point here. I suppose (if I have understood you correctly) using the same thinking does it really matter if he survives. In fact the word "survives" would be redundant under this understanding because either way he doesn't 'not' survive.



Oh I'm not saying that that is what Bono or even the song meant etc. You're right the circumstances don't matter. My comment is really just how I see it. It's more of a visual thing rather than an analytical one. Also here I wasn't talking about 'The Fly' the song itself but rather 'The Fly' the character. You know the sinner who doesn't just sin but revels in his sin. I suppose the reason why I thought of him is Bono's comment about The Fly where he says that the Fly is a guy calling from hell and enjoying it there. The line in Unknown caller "Speed-dialing with no signal at all" with the imagery of the phone call reminded me of Bono's comment regarding the Fly. Even MacPhisto's phone calls during the concerts. Actually while I've been writing this another song has reared its head, The First Time especially this bit:

My father is a rich man, he wears a rich man's cloak
Gave me the keys to his kingdom coming
Gave me a cup of gold
He said 'I have many mansions
And there are many rooms to see'
But I left by the back door
And I threw away the key

Again this idea of God calling out although the chappie in The First Time doesn't respond to the call. Just as a person when they're young feel they don't need anything or can do anything but with age comes maturity, wisdom and perhaps an awareness of one's own hubris. So for me I think I see this as a journey from being the arrogant guy in The Fly to the mellower and maybe humbler fellow in The First Time to the lonely solitary almost nihilistic figure (In a place of no consequence or company). I'm not saying that NLOTH is cynical, rather what I am saying is that this is the cure to cynicism. As the reviewer in the NME said this is an "uncynical" album. (What is the antonym of 'cynical'?)

These are just some rough thoughts or my picturing of the various songs. I suppose I tend to see all the songs as chapters in a novel (or maybe a few novels) with characters reappearing and growing older (sometimes wiser, at other times more foolish). I find fascinating how they change over time. Like how The Fly becomes MacPhisto in his old age. So although MacPhisto is meant to be a Screwtape type character I also see in him real characters i.e. not just a metaphor or a didactic characterisation but also someone who genuinely believes in what he is saying. I hope the last couple of sentences make sense.

BTW not trying to convince but trying to understand and perhaps sort out my thoughts.

First of all, perhaps I should apologise for not having stated something clearly, it is that I consider your interpretation very good and worthy, that's why I asked you to eleborate, so you could convince me. I love this kind of debates and when I say "convince me" it's just a way of saying let's give it a second thought, we can discover more things, but unfortunately I've been very busy today and haven't done my "homework".

Our views of the song are closer than you may think, much more now that I can understand what you wanted to say with the Fly phoning and MacPhisto; I completely agree with what you say about The First Time, that was one of the first things I thought when I listened to this song.

Believe it, I sometimes interpret some songs as chapters too, so I relate one to another. I see a very strong connexion between this song and Moment of Surrender, which is immediately before Unknown Caller in the album, I imagine the character in MOS is a drug abuser who's come to the limit and is about to die or commit suicide when the song ends (I could eleaborate more, but I'm really short of time today), then Unknown Caller starts "sunshine, sunshine", flashback, and we see what happened how he was saved. I know it's a risky thought, but I would like to know your opinion. Thank you!

[Village Idiot]

Originally Posted by Marien

First of all, perhaps I should apologise for not having stated something clearly, when I say "convince me" it's just a way of saying let's give it a second thought, we can discover more things, but unfortunately I've been very busy today and haven't done my "homework".

but I would like to know your opinion. Thank you!

no need to apologise at all; i think i should have put a smiley at the end of my sentence as that particular comment was a light hearted one.

Anyway I'm kinda busy today but will get back to you (didn't want you to think I was ignoring you) sometime over the weekend.

[MMP]

Originally Posted by Marien

It's so nice to find people who like this kind of things. Thank you!

Oh, no need to thank me.
It really is indeed. I don't visit this section of the forum very often, but it's nice to interpret those lyrics.

[Marien]

Originally Posted by Village Idiot

no need to apologise at all; i think i should have put a smiley at the end of my sentence as that particular comment was a light hearted one.

Anyway I'm kinda busy today but will get back to you (didn't want you to think I was ignoring you) sometime over the weekend.

I'm busy too, don't worry!

[Marien]

Originally Posted by .:MrMacPhisto:.

Oh, no need to thank me.
It really is indeed. I don't visit this section of the forum very often, but it's nice to interpret those lyrics.

Oh, yes, yes, "thank you" is a wonderful expression we don't ever hear enough of.

I love poetry and literature, interpreting lyrics is a secondary "pleasure" I always get from U2 songs, the first one being listening to them, of course. It's so different with other artists who just say "oh, she's beuatiful, so beautiful...", you understand me.

[Marien]

Village Idiot, I've been very busy for the last few days, but this is to tell you not to mind about this, I've read Bono's answer to my question in an interview, so now it's clear. Thanks anyway.

[Village Idiot]

Originally Posted by Marien

Village Idiot, I've been very busy for the last few days, but this is to tell you not to mind about this, I've read Bono's answer to my question in an interview, so now it's clear. Thanks anyway.

Ok no worries.

BTW what was Bono's answer if you don't mind sharing.

[EmitFlesti]

Originally Posted by Utoo

Three thirty-three:


“Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you things great beyond reach of your knowledge.” Jeremiah 33:3

That's why 333 is referred to as "God's phone number," something that Bono's said in the past.

But, 3:33 is not necessarily the same thing as 33:3! A subtle, but perhaps crucial difference.