And here we are in total agreement again. I thinking it is a fantastic track, though I picture the live performance and not the studio track. Haunting and „exit-like“ as you say.
edit: this is about „dirty day“
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U2 - Community rankings - FIN - #4 Sunday Bloody Sunday, #3 - One, #2 - Bad, #1 - Where the Streets Have No Name -Spotify links, thanks to Krista4 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter John Maddens Lunchbox
- Start date
edit: this is about „dirty day“
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
I like both Dirty Day and All Because of You, but both are a bit higher than I would have put them. I used to work with a guy whose favorite U2 song was Dirty Day. I was like, "it's a good song, but it's not that good." But, to each their own. 
Nugget
Footballguy
I was highest, but strongly influenced by my daughter. She told me she really liked it while listening to this album - bumped up a couple tiers for sure.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
It’s a solid song. Nothing wrong with liking it. And we are all influenced by those around us to a degree. If either of my kids loved a U2 song, I would probably try to love it too.
Which is in stark contrast to the Beatles ranking thread when Mrs APK professed her love for Rocky Raccoon. That was almost a marriage killer. @krista4 good times eh? (Ps - sorry to drag you into a mainstream pop music thread haha)
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Oh, except you shared that live version of Exit, which was awesome! So again, this is why I love this thread! So maybe I just need a live version of this one too……
Brony
Footballguy
I thought about bumping it up on the strength of All Because of You Days by Echo and the Bunnymen.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
Wasn’t me who shared it, but it was indeed awesome.Alex P Keaton said:Oh, except you shared that live version of Exit, which was awesome! So again, this is why I love this thread! So maybe I just need a live version of this one too……
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Well whoever it was is a genius. So take it as a compliment that I assumed you were a genius.
https://youtu.be/GIsFPZit-_MAlex P Keaton said:Oh, except you shared that live version of Exit, which was awesome! So again, this is why I love this thread! So maybe I just need a live version of this one too……
Dirty Day live to me is a whole different beast than the studio version. I love this song.
Nemesis
Footballguy
Songfact:John Maddens Lunchbox said:
The band traveled on the back of a flatbed trailer to film the music video, & many people in Manhattan stopped what they were doing & ran to catch Bono & the band.
Adam Clayton: "Often when we have something which is straight rock it never goes anywhere - we just keep churning it around. But this was 1 or 2 takes."
Edge: "The riff for 'All Because Of You' came out of the now legendary Monaco sessions,". "We just wanted to make it a piece of great, raunchy, twenty-first century rock 'n' roll. It's probably the only real rock 'n' roll song we have ever written."
The song was released as the album's 2nd single in North America on 8 Feb 2005 (the 1st single, "Vertigo", had been released prior to the album debut).
Been played live 132 times
Nemesis
Footballguy
Songfact:John Maddens Lunchbox said:
The song 's lyrics reflect a character who leaves his family & returns yrs later to meet the son he abandoned. In that sense the song is the reverse of The First Time. Many of the lyrics are taken fr phrases that Bono's father would use, including "I don't know you & you don't know the half of it", "No blood is thicker than ink", "Nothing's as simple as you think", & "It won't last kissing time." The title was inspired by another phrase Bono's father would often use, "it's a dirty day".
Zooropa's liner notes dedicate this song to the American novelist, Charles Bukowski.
Been played live 13 times...........(10 times on the 1993 Zoo TV Tour and 3 times on the 2018 E+I Tour)
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John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
Messed up my days, its tomorrow not today thats the big? reveal. Today just sees the second, expected, track from Achtung BabyJohn Maddens Lunchbox said:
I get that some people love this, but as the post from Nemesis suggested this is most unlike a U2 track.Pip's Invitation said:
Best song from Zooropa? Wow big call. I have it ranked 7th, closely behind 3 others. The only one left is my number 1Pip's Invitation said:
I agree. Its a well made song and catchy and kicks ####. But it doesnt stimulate me at all.Acrobat7 said:
Thats an awesome reason. Getting your kids to like an “old” song is a big challenge lol. Closest I got was with my eldest daughter and the first Evanescence album.Nugget said:
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
#58 - Tryin’ To Throw Your arms around the World (1991)
Highest Rank - 28
Lowest Rank - 124
Where to Find it - Achtung Baby LP
Vulture.com ranking and comment -103/218 - At this point in the record, there had to be some respite, or listeners wouldn’t have kept going. It’s a light and fluffy composition that belies its origins, though; it was about U2’s own “lost weekend” in Los Angeles, where some of the band let loose in a manner they hadn’t been able to in their youth, when they were trying to get the band off the ground, get out of Ireland, and get a record contract. U2 have also characterized it as a drinking song, and made that point most definitively on the Zoo TV tour, where the Fly would go out on the catwalk, find an attractive young woman, spray Champagne around, and serenade the lucky lady on Handicam.
Comment - May be the weak track on this album, which is astounding in its quality.
Next up, A Bono song about his father
Highest Rank - 28
Lowest Rank - 124
Where to Find it - Achtung Baby LP
Vulture.com ranking and comment -103/218 - At this point in the record, there had to be some respite, or listeners wouldn’t have kept going. It’s a light and fluffy composition that belies its origins, though; it was about U2’s own “lost weekend” in Los Angeles, where some of the band let loose in a manner they hadn’t been able to in their youth, when they were trying to get the band off the ground, get out of Ireland, and get a record contract. U2 have also characterized it as a drinking song, and made that point most definitively on the Zoo TV tour, where the Fly would go out on the catwalk, find an attractive young woman, spray Champagne around, and serenade the lucky lady on Handicam.
Comment - May be the weak track on this album, which is astounding in its quality.
Next up, A Bono song about his father
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
#57 - Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own (2004)
Highest Rank - 42
Lowest Rank - 109
Where to Find it - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb LP
Vulture.com ranking and comment -39/218 - There is so much love, regret, and gratitude in this song, written about Bono’s father. In the last verse, Bono’s voice soars with just the tiniest crack of sadness: “Can you hear me when I sing / You’re the reason I sing / You’re the reason why the opera is in me.”
Comment - Another obvious single that isnt on my wavelentgh. U2 seem to have one of these an album. I could list them all, but that would be boring. To me it feels awfully similar to Stuck in a Moment You Can’t get out of
Next up, Our second track from Joshua Tree and it may be a shocker. Also, as per usual of late, Rattle and Hum sees another track.
Highest Rank - 42
Lowest Rank - 109
Where to Find it - How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb LP
Vulture.com ranking and comment -39/218 - There is so much love, regret, and gratitude in this song, written about Bono’s father. In the last verse, Bono’s voice soars with just the tiniest crack of sadness: “Can you hear me when I sing / You’re the reason I sing / You’re the reason why the opera is in me.”
Comment - Another obvious single that isnt on my wavelentgh. U2 seem to have one of these an album. I could list them all, but that would be boring. To me it feels awfully similar to Stuck in a Moment You Can’t get out of
Next up, Our second track from Joshua Tree and it may be a shocker. Also, as per usual of late, Rattle and Hum sees another track.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
I don't agree that Tryin' to Throw Your Arms... is the weak spot on Achtung Baby. Great song, probably middle of the pack for me on that album. Love the rolling bass line, killer vibe.
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own is my favorite song from the studio album How to Dismantle... (the song a couple of tracks later is a little better, but not until played live). Very nice lyrics, and it soars like so many classic U2 tunes do.
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own is my favorite song from the studio album How to Dismantle... (the song a couple of tracks later is a little better, but not until played live). Very nice lyrics, and it soars like so many classic U2 tunes do.
scorchy
Footballguy
Before getting really sick of a couple of ridiculously overplayed AB songs, "Tryin'..." was my least favorite track on the album. Still good enough that I never skipped it.
Bonus for it always reminding me of my beloved grandmother. One Sunday at a family dinner, an impertinent older cousin asked "Mom Mom, when are you gonna find yourself a man?" (she had been widowed for 40 years at that point.) She responded "Damn a man. That's the last thing I need." I'm pretty sure Mom Mom Ruth wasn't aware of the famous feminist line about women and bicycles quoted in "Tryin..." but she totally embodied its sentiment.
Bonus for it always reminding me of my beloved grandmother. One Sunday at a family dinner, an impertinent older cousin asked "Mom Mom, when are you gonna find yourself a man?" (she had been widowed for 40 years at that point.) She responded "Damn a man. That's the last thing I need." I'm pretty sure Mom Mom Ruth wasn't aware of the famous feminist line about women and bicycles quoted in "Tryin..." but she totally embodied its sentiment.
Nugget
Footballguy
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
I’d consider this an average song with a weird verse (the Dali one) if not for the “run to you” part — great vocal and melody there.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Lovely tribute to his father. But it just is meh to me. It’s another song where they just don’t seem in sync to me - band, music, lyrics. I really think their songwriting process changed in this era, with Bono traveling all over the world doing aid work, and maybe it helped them stay together this long……maybe it fueled his creative process…..but maybe the music suffered as a result. Just my two cents.
Nemesis
Footballguy
Songfact:
Per the liner notes to AB, the song is dedicated to the LA bar, The Flaming Colossus, a popular celebrity hangout in Hollywood. The song's lyrics describes a drunken stagger home after a long night out.
Bono: "It was a drinking song, & of course, we weren't a band known for our imbibement of alcohol, although that was changing fast. Things other people had done at 18 or 19, like getting loaded & being irresponsible, I didn't get around to till I was in my late 20's living in LA... It's a song about drunk ambition but in the funniest sense, not so much megalomania but just the ambition to get home in 1 piece."
Six o'clock in the morning
You're the last to hear the warning
You've been tryin' to throw your arms around the world
You've been falling off the sidewalk
Your lips move but you can't talk
Tryin' to throw your arms around the world
I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
Be still
I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
Woman I will
Sunrise like a nosebleed
Your head hurts and you can't breathe
You're the last to hear the warning
You've been tryin' to throw your arms around the world
You've been falling off the sidewalk
Your lips move but you can't talk
Tryin' to throw your arms around the world
I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
Be still
I'm gonna run to you, run to you, run to you
Woman I will
Sunrise like a nosebleed
Your head hurts and you can't breathe
The line "a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle" is a quotation from Irina Dunn.
The album version includes keyboard playing by producer Brian Eno.
The song was edited out of the live video release Zoo TV: Live from Sydney; it was later revealed that the concert ran long & the song needed to be edited in order to fit the concert into a 2-hr timeslot.
Been played live 140 times.........137 times on the '92/93 Zoo........& then snippeted 3 times on the 2011 360 Tour
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Nemesis
Footballguy
Songfact:
The lyric was written by Bono as a tribute to his father, Bob Hewson, who died in 2001. Bono sang this at his funeral & it reflects on their tense relationship until just before his death, when Bono claims they became closer than ever before.
The song shares similar fatherly sentiments with Kite from All That You Can't Leave Behind.
In the video for the song it was prefaced with the following from Bono:
"My father worked in the post office by day & sang opera by night. We lived on the north side of Dublin in a place called Cedarwood Road. He had a lot of attitude. He gave some to me - & a voice. I wish I'd known him better."
We fight all the time
You and I, that's alright
We're the same soul
I don't need, I don't need to hear you say
That if we weren't so alike
You'd like me a whole lot more
You and I, that's alright
We're the same soul
I don't need, I don't need to hear you say
That if we weren't so alike
You'd like me a whole lot more
Bono: "His whole thing was, Don't dream - to dream is to be disappointed. That was really what I think was his advice to me. He didn't speak it in those words, but that's what he meant, & of course that's really a recipe for megalomania isn't it? I mean I was only ever interested in big ideas, & not so much dreaming but putting dreams into action, doing the things that you have in your head has become an important thing for me. The song was dedicated to him & it's a portrait of him - he was a great singer, a tenor, a working class Dublin guy who listened to the opera & conducted the stereo w my mother's knitting needles. He just loved Opera, so in the song, I hit one of those big tenor notes that he would have loved so much. I think he would have loved it, I hope so."
As a tribute to his father, Bono usually removes his large sunglasses during this song. His dad used to say to him, "Bono, why don't you ever take off those f--king glasses?"
The Edge: "It's very hard when people refer to one of our old songs & say, 'Can you write another song as good as Where The Streets Have No Name or One? These are the kind of songs people refer to, but I think on this record, we may have a couple of songs which are equally as good, maybe even better. In some ways I am still too close to really say for sure if I even believe it myself - & in the end what I believe is not that important, it's what everyone else thinks that will decide if the songs on this record are as good as our best work, so I am happy to just see what people think."
The song debuted at #1 on the UK charts, the same place as Vertigo, making it the 1st time a U2 album, HTDAAB, had 2 #1's in the UK. This was released as a single in every other part of the world except the US, where "All Because of You" was released in its place.
In 2006, this won a Grammy for Song Of The Year.
Been played live 140 times.................10 times on the HTDAAB Promo Tour & the rest on the '05/06 Vertigo Tour
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John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
#56 - Bullet the Blue Sky (1987)
Highest Rank - 32
Lowest Rank - 175
Where to Find it - The Joshua Tree LP
Vulture.com ranking and comment -19/218 - Bono asked the Edge to put the sound of “U.S. OUT OF EL SALVADOR” through his amplifier, and he obliged. “I wanted it to feel like hell on Earth, because from the demon seed comes the flower of fire,” Bono said. “OUTSIDE, IT’S AMERICA,” the lyrics cry, while the Edge lights his fretboard on fire. “In a locust wind / Comes a rattle and hum” — and you can almost feel that desert wind coming out of the amplifier. In concert, Bono might take it too far or wander off making no sense, but Edge and his guitar are there to make sure you remember what the song is about.
Comment - How good is this album that i think its among the worst 3 songs on the album. Powerful song with a lot to say. The 175 ranking really sinks it. If it was ranked 75 by the same ranker, it would be at #29 overall. I was the second lowest ranker at #52.
Next up, not as divisive a track as I thought from Rattle and Hum
Highest Rank - 32
Lowest Rank - 175
Where to Find it - The Joshua Tree LP
Vulture.com ranking and comment -19/218 - Bono asked the Edge to put the sound of “U.S. OUT OF EL SALVADOR” through his amplifier, and he obliged. “I wanted it to feel like hell on Earth, because from the demon seed comes the flower of fire,” Bono said. “OUTSIDE, IT’S AMERICA,” the lyrics cry, while the Edge lights his fretboard on fire. “In a locust wind / Comes a rattle and hum” — and you can almost feel that desert wind coming out of the amplifier. In concert, Bono might take it too far or wander off making no sense, but Edge and his guitar are there to make sure you remember what the song is about.
Comment - How good is this album that i think its among the worst 3 songs on the album. Powerful song with a lot to say. The 175 ranking really sinks it. If it was ranked 75 by the same ranker, it would be at #29 overall. I was the second lowest ranker at #52.
Next up, not as divisive a track as I thought from Rattle and Hum
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
#55 - God Part II
Highest Rank - 36
Lowest Rank - 97
Where to Find it - Rattle and Hum LP
Vulture.com ranking and comment -176/218 - “God Part II” is meant as a direct a response to the 1988 Albert Goldman bio of John Lennon, following his then-shocking Elvis biography in the early ’80s. Not all windmills need to be tilted at, and a line like: “I don’t believe that rock’n’roll / Can really change the world” seemed pretty misplaced.
Comment - This is the first, but by no means the last song on this list which doesn’t have a ranking over 100. Vulture hates it way more than any of us. This song gets a lot of critics. I actually enjoy it. Its probably their best sign of whats gonna come on Achtung Baby
Next up, We say goodbye to No Line on the Horizon and a B Side
Highest Rank - 36
Lowest Rank - 97
Where to Find it - Rattle and Hum LP
Vulture.com ranking and comment -176/218 - “God Part II” is meant as a direct a response to the 1988 Albert Goldman bio of John Lennon, following his then-shocking Elvis biography in the early ’80s. Not all windmills need to be tilted at, and a line like: “I don’t believe that rock’n’roll / Can really change the world” seemed pretty misplaced.
Comment - This is the first, but by no means the last song on this list which doesn’t have a ranking over 100. Vulture hates it way more than any of us. This song gets a lot of critics. I actually enjoy it. Its probably their best sign of whats gonna come on Achtung Baby
Next up, We say goodbye to No Line on the Horizon and a B Side
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
As if we needed more proof that no matter how terrible an opinion is, someone on the internet somewhere will have it, Bullet the Blue Sky being called U2's 175th best song is one of the best "worst" opinions I have ever seen. Yowza. 
I am completely shocked that there are 174 better U2 songs than Bullet to someone. You don’t have to love it, but cmon…As if we needed more proof that no matter how terrible an opinion is, someone on the internet somewhere will have it, Bullet the Blue Sky being called U2's 175th best song is one of the best "worst" opinions I have ever seen. Yowza.
Maybe it is a typo and was supposed to be 75 (which would still be veeeeerrrry low)?
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Good morning gents (and ladies if there are any) . . . been out of town so time to get caught up.
I had this one rated highest. IIRC, I only had one song newer than this one rated higher. To me, the song is far better and more memorable than the movie. To me, it sounds more AB than it does Pop. By now, people should know the things I like in a U2 song, and this one has it (upbeat, contributions from the whole band, Bono not over the top, Edge guitar well utilized, drumming is a notable element, etc.).
Oddly enough, I enjoy that it's just a song . . . a fun song . . . and without a lavish backstory, an ode to days of innocence, a fundraiser to save the dwindling sea turtle population, or a pledge to raise awareness and fight injustice in Botswana.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I'm at 22. I had the complete opposite reaction to what Clayton wanted. I was mesmerized when I first put on AB and Zoo Station was the perfect lead off song. Thought it was great then and ever since. Not that it really matters, but I was big into Bowie and his Berlin trilogy, which only added to the experience for me. Someone ranked it 145? How about them apples?
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
Top 10 for me. As vital as any rock and roll song that’s ever been done. Sometimes it’s over the top live, but that’s kind of the point.
Outside the top 50 is insane. 175 is certifiable.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I thought I was going to be the highest rater at 57. I always enjoyed this little nugget that didn't really get any airplay, publicity, or many live performances.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Not much to add about this one other than it has one of my favorite U2 lyrics: a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle (which IIRC was a feminist slogan in the 70's).
Anarchy99
Footballguy
57? I guess it's not a terrible song. I was lowest and after listening it to again, I still only thing it's ok. Slow, subdued, fair amount of falsetto, and in the framework of many other of their songs from the 2000's. I still would but it in the I-guess-it's-an-ok-song category. Doesn't move the needle much for me.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Huh. I didn't expect to be Top Dog at 32, as I thought going in this would be one of the higher ranked songs. But someone had it at 175? For real? Or are we being Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher?
U2 has a lot of good songs and a lot of rocking songs . . . but this one is one of their few cranking songs to up the volume level, unleash the bass, and have the whole house shake.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Let's see . . . up tempo rocker from RAH, who might rate this highest? I think people and critics were put off by the John Lennon / God tie ins. I always liked the frenzied Edge riffs and the big boy drum flourishes. But the song has cajones and gusto that most recent songs seem to be lacking. Yeah, I get it . . . how long could Bono be expected to pull off the high testosterone, rock star, screaming, ranting, and raving routine. This one certainly is not subtle and does not require extensive talent or finesse. Interesting that Bullet the Blue Sky and God Part II ended up ranked back to back, as I tend to group them together in terms of similar booming / harder rocking styles.
Nugget
Footballguy
It is a really good song on a really good album. I was at #37 and could see a top 25 case for sure. I listened to it more on Joshua Tree and it was just placed between some really good songs. Tracks 1,2,3,5 are all in my top 20 (3 in my top 10)
scorchy
Footballguy
I thought it was good but not a standout track on Joshua Tree. And then the version on R&H blew me away - it was absolutely searing - and made me reconsider the studio version.
scorchy
Footballguy
Been waiting on this. Not to cross-thread spotlight, but it's always been my favorite "new" song from R&H. That moment around 1:00 when the thumping bass blows up into shredding guitars and Bono screaming "I don't believe in cocaine..." Magical.
Brony
Footballguy
I'll own it.
The first several times listening on Joshua Tree, I liked it fine. Nothing wrong with it, but didn't do much for me. After 50 to 100 listens, it really starts to grate. And, in contrast to the gems around it on that side of the album, I start to hate in the first few drum beats. Sonically, the song is fine, but there's no hook or melody to keep me coming back. Additionally, I really can't stand the whole Peeling Off Dollar Bills section.
After all that, is it worse than, say, Volcano? No, of course not.
I probably should have had it closer to 100 or 120 if JML had allowed me proper time for the rankings.
I have three JT songs in my top 10, so I'm certainly not a hater of the album and JT works out to my #2. I just don't like Exit and Bullet.
There you go. Certifiable.
The first several times listening on Joshua Tree, I liked it fine. Nothing wrong with it, but didn't do much for me. After 50 to 100 listens, it really starts to grate. And, in contrast to the gems around it on that side of the album, I start to hate in the first few drum beats. Sonically, the song is fine, but there's no hook or melody to keep me coming back. Additionally, I really can't stand the whole Peeling Off Dollar Bills section.
After all that, is it worse than, say, Volcano? No, of course not.
I probably should have had it closer to 100 or 120 if JML had allowed me proper time for the rankings.
I have three JT songs in my top 10, so I'm certainly not a hater of the album and JT works out to my #2. I just don't like Exit and Bullet.
There you go. Certifiable.
Brony
Footballguy
All good man. There will be more against the grain opinions coming. While I like some of their anthemy rock type songs, they haven't aged well in my ears. But also keep in mind that I like U2 and I'm a fan of a majority of their catalog - I just like some songs more than others. If there was a preset rankings that the world all had to agree on than this would be boring.
I think it's just as ludicrous that everyone doesn't love Satellite of Love, but ya know, it's all good.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
We are definitely going to have some outliers that will sway the results given that there are only a few of us ranking the songs. I mean, people are entitled to their opinions (provided, of course, they align with mine).
There will be more against the grain opinions coming. While I like some of their anthemy rock type songs, they haven't aged well in my ears. But also keep in mind that I like U2 and I'm a fan of a majority of their catalog - I just like some songs more than others. If there was a preset rankings that the world all had to agree on than this would be boring.
I think it's just as ludicrous that everyone doesn't love Satellite of Love, but ya know, it's all good.
There's a track from Joshua Tree that I guess I have way lower than everyone else (not quite as low as Bullet the Blue Sky low but in that neighborhood).
I am sure I have a few tracks ranked way higher than others (probably due to memories and specific events). Like you said, that's what makes things interesting. We all could rank the anthems highly (and we should) . . . but there are no laws prohibiting people from not siding with the masses. I believe people are still allowed their own thoughts and perspectives. After a group hug, the rest of us may find it in our hearts to forgive you.
It is all good since this is your vote/your opinion.I'll own it.
The first several times listening on Joshua Tree, I liked it fine. Nothing wrong with it, but didn't do much for me. After 50 to 100 listens, it really starts to grate. And, in contrast to the gems around it on that side of the album, I start to hate in the first few drum beats. Sonically, the song is fine, but there's no hook or melody to keep me coming back. Additionally, I really can't stand the whole Peeling Off Dollar Bills section.
After all that, is it worse than, say, Volcano? No, of course not.
I probably should have had it closer to 100 or 120 if JML had allowed me proper time for the rankings.
I have three JT songs in my top 10, so I'm certainly not a hater of the album and JT works out to my #2. I just don't like Exit and Bullet.
There you go. Certifiable.
I get your criticism of the song as well but once you hear it live I simply find it impossible to rank it outside of the - let’s say - top 50.
Hadn‘t we all been too lazy to submit our rankings yours wouldn’t have so much weight. Alas… So this is on „us“ almost(!) as much as on you.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
As if we needed more proof that no matter how terrible an opinion is, someone on the internet somewhere will have it, Bullet the Blue Sky being called U2's 175th best song is one of the best "worst" opinions I have ever seen. Yowza.
I am completely shocked that there are 174 better U2 songs than Bullet to someone. You don’t have to love it, but cmon…
Maybe it is a typo and was supposed to be 75 (which would still be veeeeerrrry low)?
When the rankings were collated this one stuck out to me as an anomaly. There are more to come lol.
I really struggle with this track. I can appreciate why people like it, but it annoys me. What am I supposed to do after listening to this? Write to my local congressman? Take a pitchfork out into the streets? Have a dalliance with a central american chick....solidarity and all that? I ranked it 4th bottom on the album, but I was almost guilted into doing so knowing that there are legions of U2 fans that love it. I would much rather listen to Red Hill and Exit, which I ranked lower. Bullet and Trip get my vote as the worst 2 songs on the album if I had my way again.
Here’s a point, if it is such a fan fave, why does no one put it higher than 32? Vulture put it at 19, which means I would have expected one top 20 ranking from one of us. There are roughly 68 tracks in this that rank higher than 32 by at least one of us. If I weighted higher rankings, a consideration, this would have possibly been lower.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
Yeah, it’s all good, it’s just hard for me to fathom that people who like U2 don’t care for a song that I find so powerful.
I just had too much going on in the second half of this year to rank more than 200 U2 songs, an exercise which would have required me to relisten to three albums that didn’t do anything for me, and the B sides from those eras.
I just had too much going on in the second half of this year to rank more than 200 U2 songs, an exercise which would have required me to relisten to three albums that didn’t do anything for me, and the B sides from those eras.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
So its my fault lolI'll own it.
The first several times listening on Joshua Tree, I liked it fine. Nothing wrong with it, but didn't do much for me. After 50 to 100 listens, it really starts to grate. And, in contrast to the gems around it on that side of the album, I start to hate in the first few drum beats. Sonically, the song is fine, but there's no hook or melody to keep me coming back. Additionally, I really can't stand the whole Peeling Off Dollar Bills section.
After all that, is it worse than, say, Volcano? No, of course not.
I probably should have had it closer to 100 or 120 if JML had allowed me proper time for the rankings.
I have three JT songs in my top 10, so I'm certainly not a hater of the album and JT works out to my #2. I just don't like Exit and Bullet.
There you go. Certifiable.
Seriously, i appreciate a ranking like this...as long as you can reason it and you do.....maybe the angry mob under the balcony frightened you a little bit, but I totally get your angle. I see it. If I had my way and the courage of my convictions i probably put it closer to 100 than 50. I just dont enjoy listening to this song on the album. I have enjoyed a few live versions, but others not so much.
It is very easy to say any u2 song is a top 50 song, but until you have to rank 228 of them you dont appreciate how difficult it is. Sure we can say One is better than Landlady, but what about A Day without me vs God Part II? Etc.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I dunno. I listen to music and none of it makes or compels me to do much of anything after listening. Maybe that's just me, but can't a song just be a song?
For example, after listening to Bad, are we supposed to hug an addict? Become an addict? Console Bono for losing an addict? Contribute to a Dublin treatment center? Become an addict, go to rehab, and then relate to what it's like to have once been an addict?
I don't mean to belittle anyone with addiction and recovery issues. Clearly that was not my intent. I hope all people can get off whatever vices they have and make full recoveries. The point was that most songs (to me) are just songs and don't demand / require / initiate any sort of reactionary response to the listener. IMO, asking a song to move people to action is an incredibly high bar to set.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
I get it, the 4 of us have to have been a little mad to actually go through with ranking 228.
As for Bullet, I get that it is powerful. I get its importance. I get why people love it. At the end of the day, I just prefer other tracks, especially the ones that flirt with electronica. It’s not my style of U2 track musically let alone the bludgeoning lyrically.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
Of course most people just listen to a song and enjoy it, or dont. Am i listening to Big Girls are Best and then going out chubby chasing? No. Some songs are clearly calls to arms. Bullet is one of them. They want people to understand their message. Their ego would hope it changes the world.
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