He's always had a touch of depression in a lot of his lyrics. It's part of why I'm very interested in the autobiography, whenever it is that it finally comes out. I think there's more there than we know
Absolutely! It's been there from the beginning and I'd be very interested to see it expanded upon if he so chooses in that autobiography.
I do feel that SOE is more of a commentary, directly and personally, on mental health and depression specifically than anything before it.
It stood out to me immediately at first listen. Showman, Little Things, 13. Best Thing "when you look so good the pain in your face doesn't show," of course, but also the video. Getting lost in the lights and bustle of NYC as a way of escaping those feelings for a little bit. At least that's how I interpreted it. "Blackout" is political, sure, but also personal and to me, could be someone desperately attempting to learn to claw oneself back from the darkness. "Learn to see....." Dealing with the lows, learning what works as a coping strategy, etc, etc.
In fact, the run from The Showman through to 13 could be seen as a long narrative on the topic. The facade we put up (showman) What it feels like at its lowest points (little things). The loved ones who we come back to for comfort and support (landlady). Finding one's way back from the darkness and/or learning to live with it (blackout). Reminding ourselves and others that life is finite, but love is forever and transcends all (love is bigger). Accepting the darkness and your attempts to work through it and advising others that there's always a light. Even when it appears hopeless (13).
Bono get shit on a lot, often unfairly by cynical jerks, and has for his entire career.
It can’t not have affected him.
Granted, he’s achieved many things upon which to build a healthy self-regard.
For sure.
I don't know anyone who is more misunderstood or shit on more unfairly.
At this point, it's just a cheap and predictable way for commentators and critics to score points.
Did you see the recent Guardian article on the "I can't stand our songs" comments?! They blew the entire thing up into tax evasion, Bono thinking Africa needs him and other rich celebrities to "save it" on and on and on.
I thought the comments he made were stupid. I mean, we all know he's said similar before because we're super fans. We all know what he means by them. But this was not the time to make them again. In this environment.
I get that he doesn't like the way he sounded when he was 20. Enough already, though. Never mind Vertigo. I rate it way higher than most here. It's not quite BD, but I happen to think it was their last hit for a damn good reason. If Bono can go back and listen to NYD then Get out of your own way next and honestly tell us he hates NYD, I don't know what to tell him.
Anyways, I digress. Point is, I was pissed at him when he made the comments a few days ago. I read that Guardian article and then did a 180. I was pissed at THEM and felt bad for Bono. Why? Because there is this over-the-top vitriol every time he opens his mouth. That to me, is way more off putting than anything Bono says or does.
It's just disappointing and sad. I'll never lose sleep over it as Bono will be the first to tell you his life is way better than he or anyone else ever dreamed it would be. You and I have a hell of a lot more to worry about than he ever will. I'd just like fairness. It's quite noticeable how the people in pop culture/media who actually interact with Bono and U2 as a whole on the regular absolutely love them. Kimmell, Fallon, etc. Ditto for anyone who has ever met Bono. I met him back in 2009 when I worked concert security.
Much more importantly, I met many people in the industry who have known him over the years and they all confirmed my impression of the man from our brief conversation was accurate. Polite, humble, down to Earth and thoughtful. I was standing at a back door to the Somerville Theater. It was 38 degrees and heavy mist.
About the worst possible weather. When Bono exited the Suburban, my first image of him was walking through a sea of cops and shaking every hand. He then specifically noticed and greeted various Boston industry people who were there waiting. LiveNation all the way down to radio stations. Then he must've signed for all 100 or so fans waiting at the barricades because he was out of my site for an hour before coming inside. Edge and Adam joined him for a while.
I didn't see that from anyone else over 5 years in that job. And you can name the big act that toured from 2006-2011 and I likely saw or met them.