a closer look at a great U2 song

[soulwindnotbono]

Stateless,
A song only U2 could make and have fans listen to it over and over. Stateless, a
depressing and mellow tune. Adam's bass, five piano keys, and the edge/eno team who
produce magical sounds once again. There are obvious reasons why the track was left off All That You Can't Leave Behind. It is a story of despair, lonliness, and hopelessness best fit for Bono's project the Million Dollar Hotel (move/soundtrack). Also, songs like Stateless were not going to dominate the generally upbeat and hopeful ATYCLB.

My criticism of the song lies with Bono's treatment of the lyrics. I'm only particularly critical of the end of the song, which is the best part! The song flows well, but when Bono breaks out into "pushin down on me, push, your weight down," I don't understand why he doesn't come out with the word "Lord!" That word, "Lord"--you want to just throw it in there. It sounds like it fits, like he's mumbling it:

Your weight, Lord,
When your weight falls down on me....

The word completes the song!
The voice repression is consistent throughout the tune and it is fitting. He's singing like he's lost his zest to sing. "...hmm Stateless, ohhh oh what's the difference?" (It's amazing how Bono's lyrics lie right in the lap of the music the band performs.) But for a moment, just a moment at the end, Edge and Eno begin the "ohhh's" and Bono breaks into a confession that I believe should include the word "Lord". I hear it! lol. Listen to
the music, it picks up, and the lyrics confess or call to something or someone. The song is about a weak, tormented faith and a depressing call to be woke up. Bono speak up!

Your weight down, Lord
when your weight falls down on me
be the heavy hand,
the mortal sand...

soulwind (oh, hi everyone!)

[uvie]

wow soulman, you sure talk a lot!
hahahaha
xxxxxxxoooooooo
the ray

[soulwindnotbono]

hey it's my first post! Yea I guess it's kinda long...
haha
soul

[HeartlandGirl]

You know, I really like the song Stateless, but hadn't thought about it in awhile. It really is a good U2 song.


*HG goes to find her MDH soundtrack*

I'll listen to it and see if I pick up on what you're saying...

[ABEL]

Hey Soulwind!

Welcome to the forum!

*HUGS*

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Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
-Albert Einstein

www.geocities.com/u2_celebrate/u2_celebration.html

http://www.geocities.com/u2austin2001/U2AustinTX.html

[PopFly]

Meh. I was never a big fan of this track. I'm glad it was on the MDH soundtrack and not taking up album space.

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"Good men die unhappily. Bad men die unluckily. THAT's tragedy." --Tom Stoppard

Adam: Look guys, I got a Springfield spoon for my spoon collection.
Edge: Oh boy, here we go...
Bono: Wow, how many is that now Adam?
Adam: Nine. If I didn't have my spoons, I'd go insane.
Bono: Can I see it?
*adam gives bono the spoon, bono throws it away*
Adam: My spoon!