I wasn't trying to "hijack" the thread, I was simply disagreeing with you. Anyway. I'll bite. Want to know why I didn't post any in-depth analysis? I think that the lyrics do a fairly good job of speaking for themselves, that's why. But since you want me to spell it out for you, I'll gladly do so.
a.) Let's talk similes. "Hot as a hairdryer in your face."
If Bono hadn't gone and outdone himself with Electrical Storm, that could easily be his worst simile to date. I literally cringed when I first heard that line eight years ago. Whenever I listened to ATYCLB (and this was back when I actually liked the album) I always skipped New York, simply because of that line and others like it.
b.) The lyrics feel as though they've just been thrown together without any real care or effort. "Hot as a handbag and a can of mace."
It just sounds...off, for lack of a better word. Another example of this would be the "they even got the police" line. There is no natural flow in that section - "police" sounds forced, in particular. Maybe even rhythmically out of place. A good lyric does not only have to look good on paper, it has to
sound good within the song's musical context.
c.) Annoying chorus. Let's just repeat "New York" ad infinitum, that works.
...Now, I know that interpretation of lyrical quality varies from person to person, but I really am struggling to see how New York's lyrics could be classified as "brilliant." Even though Kite's lyrics are admittedly clichéd in sections, I think Bono's presentation of the song's subject matter is much more effective than it is in a lot of other songs on the album, including New York.
.
Why is it hard to imagine? Don't you read poetry?
One of the best on that album and my favourite Bono vocal of the new decade.
