doctorwho
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I don't have a problem with optimism, but i will say that U2 are definitely guilty lately of OVERDOING IT.
Back to Beautiful Day...i said i loved this song, i always will, but i hate what it spawned. I think everyone all of a sudden around the world said "ahh yes, this is the real U2!" and U2 also fell for it. And from that point on their objective was this: "every hit song of ours must contain a reassuring and optimistic message." That's what killed U2 this decade. Beautiful Day was a mixed blessing.
I disagree.
When I look at ATYCLB, yes, BD was about being optimistic despite horrific circumstances - about finding the beauty in a world that's crashed around you. That's a powerful and refreshing message.
"Stuck in a Moment..." wasn't really optimistic, per se. It was more of a description - ultimately about suicide. The message was to move on and let go, but that's not optimistic, it's more realist, especially when the alternative is to take one's life!
"Walk On" is in a similar vein. Again, it's about being pramagtic more than optimistic. It's about surviving, doing what must be done to overcome. Some may feel that this is the definition of optimism - to see hope when there appears to be none. And in that case, yes, the song is optimistic, but really, the song is about moving forward and even accepting the pain. This differs from BD in that this person finds beauty no matter what. In "Walk On" the person finds the strength to continue while clearly seeing the negativity.
"Elevation" is a simple rock version of a gospel song. "I and I in the sky" is a direct reference to God. I know people can interpret songs many ways, but for me, this is THE interpretation to this song. In that aspect, it is about finding redemption and forgiveness. It is about a person who was at his lowest, but through God, was lifted up. It's more of a song of joy than optimism. And most gospels songs are just that - songs of praise and joy.
Even if one feels that all of these songs - the four hits from ATYCLB - are wildly optimistic, as they are all on the same album, clearly U2 didn't focus on the aspect you stated above - namely that U2 felt their songs MUST be optimistic in order to be hits. After all, this was arguably one of U2's lower points in their career. "Pop" was not a huge hit and there was a big backlash. ATYCLB was U2's way of responding to that challenge, of over-coming the naysayers and still creating good music. This theme is reflected throughout the album.
HTDAAB started out with "Vertigo" - hardly an optimistic song. In fact, depending on your interpretation, it could be very negative. It mocks the fake attitude people have with regards to religion (i.e., girl with cross around her neck) meaning people speak it but don't believe it. It's about a person who's lost and confused. The person finds some relief through another's love, but just barely. To me, it came across as a rocking fun song, that was actually very negative. This is similar to "I Still Haven't Found...". This became a gospel song, but really, it's a bit negative. The singer is still trying to find God, despite doing all he thinks he can. He's still searching and is not at peace. "Elevation" was different in that the singer now appears at peace.
"Sometimes..." came across as a "Lean On Me" type of song. Is it optimistic? Maybe - depends on your definition. I found it more of a "let me help you" type of song, even though in this case it was too late to help the person (Bono's father).
ABOY is simply a song about God, IMO. In fact, it's almost an "Elevation - Part 2". If that's optimistic, great - but it's really about joy. I don't necessarily equate the two.
COBL is about a city - the good and bad. It's seeing it as it is, blinding on all levels. Wonderful lights and beauty coupled with the screams and noise of one of the world's biggest cities. Hardly optimistic to me - but it comes across as such due to the music.
That, of course, brings us to music. If the music is uplifting, despite the more down-trodden lyrics, then even songs like "Desire" and "In God's Country" could be viewed as optimistic, despite their more negative lyrics. And that creates a fine line - negative lyrics with upbeat music = optimism?
Regardless, I don't feel that the success of BD has made U2 work on being overly optimistic. GOYB is hardly optimistic. "Magnificent" is Part 3 in the vein of "Elevation" and ABOY - fortunately, part 3 is the best. But much of NLOTH is about war, death, surrendering, etc. - hardly optimistic themes. ATYCLB just came across a bit more positive as U2 had to overcome the negativity that came their way with their last album.