The Crystal Ballroom - Song Discussion

[gvox]

But wait, honestly I suspect it´s not Edge. In fact, maybe it was done by Bono. That would be the explanation why it sounds like it does...

You're either trolling here, or clinically insane.


Sent from my ass crack

 

[jameskinsella]

It actually depresses me that they didn't include this on the album.

It's the best pop song they've made in a long time.

 

[Salome]

It's that good?

It isn't.
Musically it's very good and quite different for U2.
Lyrically and vocally it just doesn't work that well though IMO

 

[thavidesco]

You're either trolling here, or clinically insane.


Sent from my ass crack

No way, I really mean it. I know Bono did the All I want is you end tidbit and also Wanderer solo I think. Why wouldn´t he show off something now? I cannot come up with better reason for including such lousy uninspiring solo on the album, can you?

 

[dan_smee]

No way, I really mean it. I know Bono did the All I want is you end tidbit and also Wanderer solo I think. Why wouldn´t he show off something now? I cannot come up with better reason for including such lousy uninspiring solo on the album, can you?

Ugh. Don't bother Gabe.

 

[gvox]

No way, I really mean it. I know Bono did the All I want is you end tidbit and also Wanderer solo I think. Why wouldn´t he show off something now? I cannot come up with better reason for including such lousy uninspiring solo on the album, can you?

Ok, so you are sincerely clinically insane. No problem.


Sent from my ass crack

 

[thavidesco]

It isn't.
Musically it's very good and quite different for U2.
Lyrically and vocally it just doesn't work that well though IMO

For sure it is. It is really congenial. The production is done excellently and the melody is sent from above, especially the chorus is something INCREDIBLE.

 

[U2NativeSon]

Really like this song, it just reminds me too much of this song...

Arcade Fire - We Exist - YouTube

 

[dan_smee]

Anyone who expects Edge to pull out guitar 'tricks' and to show off and over-play things is listening to the wrong band, and doesn't know who The Edge is. This is the king of understatement. He is Mr. 'Why Play 6 Notes When 1 Will Do'. Let's play a game I like to call 'Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaave you met The Edge?'

 

[womanfish]

It actually depresses me that they didn't include this on the album.

It's the best pop song they've made in a long time.

Agreed, it's killing me every time I hear it!

 

[purpleoscar]

Really like this song, it just reminds me too much of this song...

Arcade Fire - We Exist - YouTube

And that reminds me of Billie Jean

 

[womanfish]

I think everyone needs to take a listen from the 2:15 mark to the 2:55 mark, if they would like to hear the sound of U2 hitting it on all cylinders. Perfection. Maybe the best section of a song I've heard from them in a long time.

What's crazy about this is that I am usually VERY annoyed by the thrown in OH, OH, OH or Yeah, Yeah, Yeah parts of their songs. The worst parts of SFS and No Line On The Horizon are great examples.
But THIS!! It works and it works well. That deep bass drone underneath, Edge's simple but well done stabbing guitar, huge snare sound for Larry, great stuff.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

It's good. Not deserving all the Mercy-level hype though.

You're absolutely right.

It blows that shit out of the water.

 

[gvox]

Holy fuck did someone actually just bring Mercy into this room?

:epicfacepalm:


Sent from my ass crack

 

[thavidesco]

Anyone who expects Edge to pull out guitar 'tricks' and to show off and over-play things is listening to the wrong band, and doesn't know who The Edge is. This is the king of understatement. He is Mr. 'Why Play 6 Notes When 1 Will Do'. Let's play a game I like to call 'Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaave you met The Edge?'

I love Edge to death, it is my most favorite guitar player and sonic artist to say it more accurately. I love all his stuff, despite he sounded most of time uninspired in last 3 records. But why the hack he tries to copy Page on the album and Santana in the Ballroom song, when he can produce his own magic, that´s what I´m curious about...

 

[owl]

Damn it, I just did a search on YT & somebody uploaded the 12" mix. I caved in & had a quick listen. Wish I hadn't but still, it was worth it. Seems to meander a little bit but it's a wicked tune for sure.

Can't tell whether it would of worked on the album or not.

 

[ClaytonsKitten]

This song needs to be played live. It could easily be this tour's Crazy Tonight.

I'm amazed that it's strictly a DM production. It kinda reminds me of OneRepublic's "Til The Love Runs Out"... (and is wayyyyy better.)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using U2 Interference mobile app

 

[MilotheMayor]

This should definitely have replaced 'Volcano' on the LP. Get rid of the generic rocker for the dance single.

 

[purpleblackeye]

This should definitely have replaced 'Volcano' on the LP. Get rid of the generic rocker for the dance single.

no way...Volcano is great and by no means a generic rocker. It also fits thematically after Iris - the explosion of range and anger that followed the loss of his mother. Love Crystal Ballroom but Volcano is definitely not the one I would replace. Maybe the more mainstream songs like SFS or California

 

[JTbaby]

If anything should be replacing SFS, the generic "slow song"

 

[CosmoKramer]

For sure it is. It is really congenial. The production is done excellently and the melody is sent from above, especially the chorus is something INCREDIBLE.

Well one of you is full of shit and when I listen to it on Tuesday, ill have my answer! lol


Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference

 

[womanfish]

Damn it, I just did a search on YT & somebody uploaded the 12" mix. I caved in & had a quick listen. Wish I hadn't but still, it was worth it. Seems to meander a little bit but it's a wicked tune for sure.

Can't tell whether it would of worked on the album or not.

Well the 12' is like 4 minutes longer, so it will meander. The real one is very much a tight, well crafted pop song.

 

[ClaytonsKitten]

Listen to Lucifer/Volcano/Crystal as a set for the middle of the album. Those three are just explosive together.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using U2 Interference mobile app

 

[womanfish]

If anything should be replacing SFS, the generic "slow song"

I actually just did some tweaking of the acoustic (piano) version of SFS, and I am replacing the studio version with this one. The problem for me is Edge's guitar and it being sorta middle of the road.
The more stripped down piano version fits it better and makes me like it slightly more.

Also fixed bono's out of key singing on one spot.

 

[ImNotSleeping]

You're absolutely right.

It blows that shit out of the water.

 

[mikal]

Crystal Ballroom is a Mercy rewrite.


Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference

 

[gvox]

Crystal Ballroom is a Mercy rewrite.


Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference

:killintheface:


Sent from my ass crack

 

[ClaytonsKitten]

I cant figure out why they left this off the album... after a few repeat listens, it's clear that this song as a single would give them the relevance Bono seems to crave so badly. This song would take hits from Broken Bells, OneRepublic, etc, and blow them right out of the water. U2 still does it better than any of those other bands and TCB proves it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using U2 Interference mobile app

 

[Dragonfave]

Crystal Ballroom is a Lemon rewrite.


Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference

Ftfy.

 

[Reggie Thee Dog]

Any 'new', 'non-album cut/B-Side' is usually held to this sort of gold standard...

TCB is a very good song, I don't see it replacing anything on SOI. I've only listened to it a few times, and I like it, but I'll give it a few dozen more spins before I figure out where it stands in regards to 'legacy' and this album in particular...