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)

[Nemesis]

#34 - Stay (Faraway So Close) (1993)   Highest- 16   Lowest- 103      Zooropa LP
Vulture -38/218 - This song began its life as something Bono & Edge were working on for Frank Sinatra, & you can envision that in the lyrics of the 1st verse. 2nd verse feels like Berlin, & 3rd verse links to Zoo TV — “With satellite television you can go anywhere.” During the Zooropa sessions, Wim Wenders came to the band, needing a song for a new movie about angels who want to become mortal & live on Earth. “Just the bang & the clatter as an angel runs to ground,” & Larry Mullen hits the edge of the snare drum. Boom. It sounds disjointed, but it works together, & is perfect for the movie. It almost doesn’t fit on the album.

Comment - This track is totally out of place on Zooropa. But its sooooo ####### good. The only really really really good song on Zooropa. Brilliantly understated. My 16 ranking is me being conservative. It is clearly a top 10 favourite of mine. If I rank them again it moves within the top 10. Bono is perfect vocally on this. I really cannot say enough good things about this song. So beautiful. Even the video is well done. Even if I ranked this #1 it only moves up a few spots. The 103 ranking annoys me lol, but its backed up with a 73 as well so it has company. If I had to go to a desert island w only 10 U2 tracks, not my top 10 ranked songs, my 10 favorite ones, this is 1 of them. The only other 1 we’ve seen so far is Mothers of the Disappeared. The other 8 are in the top 23. 

Songfact:
Zooropa‘s 3rd & final single was developed during the recording sessions for AB at Hansa Studios in Berlin. The track was initially titled “Sinatra,” as the Edge had been working on the piano trying to summon the spirit of Ol’ Blue Eyes for inspiration.  

U2 would go back to that track & rework it while recording the Zooropa album.  During those sessions, German filmmaker Wim Wenders approached U2 & needed a title track to his 1993 movie Faraway, So Close!   (Note.....U2 had provided the title track for his previous movie, Until the End of the World.) The band watched an early cut of the film, and Bono used it as an inspiration for some of the lyrics. The song became “Stay,” w the parenthetical subtitle “Faraway, So Close!” in reference to Wenders’ film.

Wim Wenders Video:   Filmed in Berlin over 3 days & primarily in black & white.  Several shots depict the band members standing on the statue of Victoria, a monument at the top of the Berlin Victory Column.  A model of the angel was created for those statue close up scenes.

"Stay" was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. Interestingly, another song co-written by Bono (& performed by Sinead O’Connor), “You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart,” was also nominated for the 1995 Golden Globes. In the end, both tracks lost out to “Streets of Philadelphia” by Bruce Springsteen.

"Stay" was released as a double A-side with “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” Bono’s duet w Frank Sinatra from Sinatra’s Duets album.

"Stay" is usually the sole song U2 play from the Zooropa album when performing live.

In 2000, Bono teamed up w Wenders to write the movie The Million Dollar Hotel. Wenders directed the film, which stars Mel Gibson & Milla Jovovich.

In 2001, on the Elevation tour, while Edge played the acoustic intro, Bono would say "This is from the period where we got art-y, we went to Berlin, & started out on 2 extraordinary albums by our point of view (AB & Zooropa). Then we thought we were genius. Pop we just floated out there.. this song was kind of a diary of the float.. you find some extraordinary things while you are out there."

In 2002, Bono recorded a new version of this w Scottish composer Craig Armstrong. It is on Armstrong's album As If To Nothing.  Link

"Stay" peaked at #4 on the UK charts..........#61 in the US.   (Ireland #1)

Landed at #24 when Rolling Stone ranked their Top50 U2 songs.

Been played live 124 times..............Note:  The vocals extend from a low note of Bb2 to a high of Bb4., which is 1 of the highest notes Bono has ever recorded on studio.   This may be why it will be tough to hear it live going forward. 

 

[Anarchy99]

Been played live 124 times..............Note:  The vocals extend from a low note of Bb2 to a high of Bb4., which is 1 of the highest notes Bono has ever recorded on studio.   This may be why it will be tough to hear it live going forward. 

This is a pretty common situation for performers. Lots of singers can't keep hitting the notes they once were able to. They simply change the key it's performed in, or they sing the song at a lower octave. U2 played Stay 20 times on their 2018 tour. I don't think we are at the point where they are reluctant to play it.

 

[Anarchy99]

Apologies in advance for the lengthy post. Back when AB came out, I met my wife, became engaged, and was about to get married. The following all happened over 4 days. For anyone that has gotten married before, the planning and execution of a wedding can best be described as stressful. The lead up to our nuptials was no different. We had some issues with locations, venues, availability, vendors, guest lists, etc. 

We had scheduled a Saturday wedding . . . but my grandmother had a stroke the Wednesday before the wedding. Her prognosis was dire. I made the 4-hour drive to see her in the hospital. While I was driving, my father also had a stroke (in a different state). My stepmother was in such a panic that she ended up falling down a flight of stairs, broke several bones, and needed surgery. My grandmother didn't make it, my dad needed to go into a long-term care facility, and my stepmom was laid up and couldn't move without assistance.

Needless to say, all that distracted me from getting married. I pushed to reschedule the wedding, but my future in laws said they dropped a boatload of money on their only child's wedding, it was then or never. The other issue was that my father was due to go to a national convention the week after the wedding, and I ended up having to go in his place. That also didn't sit well with the future in laws, as they had paid for our honeymoon that was scheduled for the same time.

As the saying goes, the show must go on, so we proceeded with the wedding. The day of the wedding, things didn't go any smoother. The wedding photographer got lost or had the wrong information and never showed up. This was before cell phones, so we could never get a hold of him. (He had ended up going to the wrong place.)

We moved on to the reception without him. At the reception hall, suddenly there was smoke coming into the room. Next thing we knew, alarms went off and the venue told us it was no big deal, they had left something in the oven too long, and everyone should just stay where they were. A few minutes later, the fire department came running in with guys wearing oxygen tanks and carrying hoses. They started screaming at people to GTFO. A few people were coughing and wheezing from smoke inhalation and ended up needing medical attention.

There "it's no big deal story" turned out to be a fire that wiped out the kitchen. There was much discussion about what to do next. Finally, like 90 minutes later, we got the go ahead to go back in to try to salvage what we could for a reception. People that had already been served were told to eat the now cold food they had. People that hadn't been served were given whatever the staff could scrounge up in the kitchen or takeout from a nearby restaurant. Needless to say, there were a lot of unhappy campers.

Literally the only input I had in the day's festivities was I was allowed to pick the song to our first dance (my wife had no idea what I picked). After all that never ending string of BS, it was time for our first dance . . . to Love Is Blindness (which no one in attendance had ever heard before).

It was the most magical 4:32 of my life. And I remember every second of it. Every facial expression. Every nuance. Every bit of laughter. Every teardrop. The smell of her perfume. Getting tangled in her dress. Her rubbing against me. It was actually pretty embarrassing, as we had never danced together before, and it was very obvious and noticeable. But we didn't care. For 4:32, it was just us, totally in love, in each other's arms. All the other crap didn't matter. I will never forget any of it. A total snapshot in time.

As I said, my grandmother died, my father died pretty soon thereafter, and my stepmother never really got healthy. We ended up without a professional picture from the day of us together. Just pictures people took with their low-quality cameras (not like today when everyone has cell phones). Unfortunately, our marriage was as rocky and tumultuous as that day was and things didn't work out. But it still doesn't change the magic during Love Is Blindness.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Stay (Faraway, So Close!) is amazing.  Similar to Staring at the Sun, it is never the same live because it is never played with the electric guitars like we hear in the studio version, but that is okay. At least the studio version is immortalized. 

If they aren’t going to rock, then this is how I want them to sound. It sounds very “European.”

Really good song.   I always forget how much I like it until listening to it again (which happens infrequently because I still listen to full albums often and Zooropa sucks ###).   This was at 42 for me, but I’m reshuffling rankings as we go and it will end up in the low 30s.

JML is spot on - Bono’s vocals are perfect.

Wish you guys were rankers lol. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Apologies in advance for the lengthy post. Back when AB came out, I met my wife, became engaged, and was about to get married. The following all happened over 4 days. For anyone that has gotten married before, the planning and execution of a wedding can best be described as stressful. The lead up to our nuptials was no different. We had some issues with locations, venues, availability, vendors, guest lists, etc. 

We had scheduled a Saturday wedding . . . but my grandmother had a stroke the Wednesday before the wedding. Her prognosis was dire. I made the 4-hour drive to see her in the hospital. While I was driving, my father also had a stroke (in a different state). My stepmother was in such a panic that she ended up falling down a flight of stairs, broke several bones, and needed surgery. My grandmother didn't make it, my dad needed to go into a long-term care facility, and my stepmom was laid up and couldn't move without assistance.

Needless to say, all that distracted me from getting married. I pushed to reschedule the wedding, but my future in laws said they dropped a boatload of money on their only child's wedding, it was then or never. The other issue was that my father was due to go to a national convention the week after the wedding, and I ended up having to go in his place. That also didn't sit well with the future in laws, as they had paid for our honeymoon that was scheduled for the same time.

As the saying goes, the show must go on, so we proceeded with the wedding. The day of the wedding, things didn't go any smoother. The wedding photographer got lost or had the wrong information and never showed up. This was before cell phones, so we could never get a hold of him. (He had ended up going to the wrong place.)

We moved on to the reception without him. At the reception hall, suddenly there was smoke coming into the room. Next thing we knew, alarms went off and the venue told us it was no big deal, they had left something in the oven too long, and everyone should just stay where they were. A few minutes later, the fire department came running in with guys wearing oxygen tanks and carrying hoses. They started screaming at people to GTFO. A few people were coughing and wheezing from smoke inhalation and ended up needing medical attention.

There "it's no big deal story" turned out to be a fire that wiped out the kitchen. There was much discussion about what to do next. Finally, like 90 minutes later, we got the go ahead to go back in to try to salvage what we could for a reception. People that had already been served were told to eat the now cold food they had. People that hadn't been served were given whatever the staff could scrounge up in the kitchen or takeout from a nearby restaurant. Needless to say, there were a lot of unhappy campers.

Literally the only input I had in the day's festivities was I was allowed to pick the song to our first dance (my wife had no idea what I picked). After all that never ending string of BS, it was time for our first dance . . . to Love Is Blindness (which no one in attendance had ever heard before).

It was the most magical 4:32 of my life. And I remember every second of it. Every facial expression. Every nuance. Every bit of laughter. Every teardrop. The smell of her perfume. Getting tangled in her dress. Her rubbing against me. It was actually pretty embarrassing, as we had never danced together before, and it was very obvious and noticeable. But we didn't care. For 4:32, it was just us, totally in love, in each other's arms. All the other crap didn't matter. I will never forget any of it. A total snapshot in time.

As I said, my grandmother died, my father died pretty soon thereafter, and my stepmother never really got healthy. We ended up without a professional picture from the day of us together. Just pictures people took with their low-quality cameras (not like today when everyone has cell phones). Unfortunately, our marriage was as rocky and tumultuous as that day was and things didn't work out. But it still doesn't change the magic during Love Is Blindness.

That’s a lot to take in. Must have been a very stressful time...moreso than usual. 

Still the song seems to mean a lot to you, why only in the 20s? By that stage almost all the ones you ranked ahead of it would have been released, but you chose this one. I guess its hard to do a slow dance lovey dovey shuffle to Sunday Bloody Sunday

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#33 - 40 (1983)

Highest Rank - 35

Lowest Rank - 89

Where to Find it - War LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -16/218 - The story behind the track’s genesis — the band’s studio time literally running out and being one track short, Bono saying “Let’s do a psalm” — is completely and totally outweighed by the beauty of the recorded performance: Edge standing in on bass, with chords that go straight to the heart, simple but powerful backing vocals, and Bono’s voice, not at its most magnificent, but definitely in his feelings. It is an ode, a tribute, a deep blues — and even though the lyrics were lifted from Psalm 40, they are vague enough to leave space for the nonbeliever to find his or her own meaning in the track. It was likely subconscious, but significant, that the line in “Sunday Bloody Sunday” — “How long must we sing this song?” — that opened the album would be mirrored here at the end.

But you can’t write about “40” without talking about its place in the live show. It would close most of the band’s shows in the ’80s, and was one of those moments that became a crucial part of what U2 was to their fans. The spikiest mohawked punks would stand down, hold hands, put their arms around the people near them and sing their hearts out on the chorus. And there was nothing quite like making your way out of the venue and hearing the refrain echoing off the lobby walls, down the streets, and into the subways. It was — is still — a piece of U2 magic that is hard to explain adequately. It closes a show gently, with civility and unity. It lifts your heart up, which is what a psalm is meant to do, even if you’re a nonbeliever.

Comment - Great to close out a show. Great singalong. How many times would you just put this one song on? I thought about adjusting my ranking to put it 7 spots lower,  but that would be cheating just for lolz. It is where it is. 

Next up, another Oldie as we reduce Boy from 3 tracks left to 2

 

[Anarchy99]

That’s a lot to take in. Must have been a very stressful time...moreso than usual. 

Still the song seems to mean a lot to you, why only in the 20s? By that stage almost all the ones you ranked ahead of it would have been released, but you chose this one. I guess its hard to do a slow dance lovey dovey shuffle to Sunday Bloody Sunday

Our relationship didn’t last and was filled with strife and aggravation. Lots of bad stuff happened before, during, and after. She was a real life cancer that ended up completely altering how my life turned out. While I have great memories of Love Is Blindness, I don’t have great memories of her. 

 

[bigbottom]

Apologies in advance for the lengthy post. Back when AB came out, I met my wife, became engaged, and was about to get married. The following all happened over 4 days. For anyone that has gotten married before, the planning and execution of a wedding can best be described as stressful. The lead up to our nuptials was no different. We had some issues with locations, venues, availability, vendors, guest lists, etc. 

We had scheduled a Saturday wedding . . . but my grandmother had a stroke the Wednesday before the wedding. Her prognosis was dire. I made the 4-hour drive to see her in the hospital. While I was driving, my father also had a stroke (in a different state). My stepmother was in such a panic that she ended up falling down a flight of stairs, broke several bones, and needed surgery. My grandmother didn't make it, my dad needed to go into a long-term care facility, and my stepmom was laid up and couldn't move without assistance.

Needless to say, all that distracted me from getting married. I pushed to reschedule the wedding, but my future in laws said they dropped a boatload of money on their only child's wedding, it was then or never. The other issue was that my father was due to go to a national convention the week after the wedding, and I ended up having to go in his place. That also didn't sit well with the future in laws, as they had paid for our honeymoon that was scheduled for the same time.

As the saying goes, the show must go on, so we proceeded with the wedding. The day of the wedding, things didn't go any smoother. The wedding photographer got lost or had the wrong information and never showed up. This was before cell phones, so we could never get a hold of him. (He had ended up going to the wrong place.)

We moved on to the reception without him. At the reception hall, suddenly there was smoke coming into the room. Next thing we knew, alarms went off and the venue told us it was no big deal, they had left something in the oven too long, and everyone should just stay where they were. A few minutes later, the fire department came running in with guys wearing oxygen tanks and carrying hoses. They started screaming at people to GTFO. A few people were coughing and wheezing from smoke inhalation and ended up needing medical attention.

There "it's no big deal story" turned out to be a fire that wiped out the kitchen. There was much discussion about what to do next. Finally, like 90 minutes later, we got the go ahead to go back in to try to salvage what we could for a reception. People that had already been served were told to eat the now cold food they had. People that hadn't been served were given whatever the staff could scrounge up in the kitchen or takeout from a nearby restaurant. Needless to say, there were a lot of unhappy campers.

Literally the only input I had in the day's festivities was I was allowed to pick the song to our first dance (my wife had no idea what I picked). After all that never ending string of BS, it was time for our first dance . . . to Love Is Blindness (which no one in attendance had ever heard before).

It was the most magical 4:32 of my life. And I remember every second of it. Every facial expression. Every nuance. Every bit of laughter. Every teardrop. The smell of her perfume. Getting tangled in her dress. Her rubbing against me. It was actually pretty embarrassing, as we had never danced together before, and it was very obvious and noticeable. But we didn't care. For 4:32, it was just us, totally in love, in each other's arms. All the other crap didn't matter. I will never forget any of it. A total snapshot in time.

As I said, my grandmother died, my father died pretty soon thereafter, and my stepmother never really got healthy. We ended up without a professional picture from the day of us together. Just pictures people took with their low-quality cameras (not like today when everyone has cell phones). Unfortunately, our marriage was as rocky and tumultuous as that day was and things didn't work out. But it still doesn't change the magic during Love Is Blindness.

A bittersweet story beautifully told. Thank you for sharing it. 

 

[bigbottom]

#33 - 40 (1983)

Highest Rank - 35

Lowest Rank - 89

Where to Find it - War LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -16/218 - The story behind the track’s genesis — the band’s studio time literally running out and being one track short, Bono saying “Let’s do a psalm” — is completely and totally outweighed by the beauty of the recorded performance: Edge standing in on bass, with chords that go straight to the heart, simple but powerful backing vocals, and Bono’s voice, not at its most magnificent, but definitely in his feelings. It is an ode, a tribute, a deep blues — and even though the lyrics were lifted from Psalm 40, they are vague enough to leave space for the nonbeliever to find his or her own meaning in the track. It was likely subconscious, but significant, that the line in “Sunday Bloody Sunday” — “How long must we sing this song?” — that opened the album would be mirrored here at the end.

But you can’t write about “40” without talking about its place in the live show. It would close most of the band’s shows in the ’80s, and was one of those moments that became a crucial part of what U2 was to their fans. The spikiest mohawked punks would stand down, hold hands, put their arms around the people near them and sing their hearts out on the chorus. And there was nothing quite like making your way out of the venue and hearing the refrain echoing off the lobby walls, down the streets, and into the subways. It was — is still — a piece of U2 magic that is hard to explain adequately. It closes a show gently, with civility and unity. It lifts your heart up, which is what a psalm is meant to do, even if you’re a nonbeliever.

Comment - Great to close out a show. Great singalong. How many times would you just put this one song on? I thought about adjusting my ranking to put it 7 spots lower,  but that would be cheating just for lolz. It is where it is. 

Next up, another Oldie as we reduce Boy from 3 tracks left to 2

Taking part in that singalong was one of my greatest concert memories.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#33 - 40 (1983)

Highest Rank - 35

Lowest Rank - 89

Where to Find it - War LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -16/218 - The story behind the track’s genesis — the band’s studio time literally running out and being one track short, Bono saying “Let’s do a psalm” — is completely and totally outweighed by the beauty of the recorded performance: Edge standing in on bass, with chords that go straight to the heart, simple but powerful backing vocals, and Bono’s voice, not at its most magnificent, but definitely in his feelings. It is an ode, a tribute, a deep blues — and even though the lyrics were lifted from Psalm 40, they are vague enough to leave space for the nonbeliever to find his or her own meaning in the track. It was likely subconscious, but significant, that the line in “Sunday Bloody Sunday” — “How long must we sing this song?” — that opened the album would be mirrored here at the end.

But you can’t write about “40” without talking about its place in the live show. It would close most of the band’s shows in the ’80s, and was one of those moments that became a crucial part of what U2 was to their fans. The spikiest mohawked punks would stand down, hold hands, put their arms around the people near them and sing their hearts out on the chorus. And there was nothing quite like making your way out of the venue and hearing the refrain echoing off the lobby walls, down the streets, and into the subways. It was — is still — a piece of U2 magic that is hard to explain adequately. It closes a show gently, with civility and unity. It lifts your heart up, which is what a psalm is meant to do, even if you’re a nonbeliever.

Comment - Great to close out a show. Great singalong. How many times would you just put this one song on? I thought about adjusting my ranking to put it 7 spots lower,  but that would be cheating just for lolz. It is where it is. 

Next up, another Oldie as we reduce Boy from 3 tracks left to 2

Another great album closer, and there was just something special about how it came off in concert. It felt like you were part of the magic they were creating. 

 

[Alex P Keaton]

#33 - 40 (1983)

Highest Rank - 35

Lowest Rank - 89

Where to Find it - War LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -16/218 - The story behind the track’s genesis — the band’s studio time literally running out and being one track short, Bono saying “Let’s do a psalm” — is completely and totally outweighed by the beauty of the recorded performance: Edge standing in on bass, with chords that go straight to the heart, simple but powerful backing vocals, and Bono’s voice, not at its most magnificent, but definitely in his feelings. It is an ode, a tribute, a deep blues — and even though the lyrics were lifted from Psalm 40, they are vague enough to leave space for the nonbeliever to find his or her own meaning in the track. It was likely subconscious, but significant, that the line in “Sunday Bloody Sunday” — “How long must we sing this song?” — that opened the album would be mirrored here at the end.

But you can’t write about “40” without talking about its place in the live show. It would close most of the band’s shows in the ’80s, and was one of those moments that became a crucial part of what U2 was to their fans. The spikiest mohawked punks would stand down, hold hands, put their arms around the people near them and sing their hearts out on the chorus. And there was nothing quite like making your way out of the venue and hearing the refrain echoing off the lobby walls, down the streets, and into the subways. It was — is still — a piece of U2 magic that is hard to explain adequately. It closes a show gently, with civility and unity. It lifts your heart up, which is what a psalm is meant to do, even if you’re a nonbeliever.

Comment - Great to close out a show. Great singalong. How many times would you just put this one song on? I thought about adjusting my ranking to put it 7 spots lower,  but that would be cheating just for lolz. It is where it is. 

Next up, another Oldie as we reduce Boy from 3 tracks left to 2

Lovely.  Very well executed.  And boring.  I would have been lowest on this.  Shocked that it lands here.  

 

[Ghost Rider]

Lovely.  Very well executed.  And boring.  I would have been lowest on this.  Shocked that it lands here.  

I would not call it boring, but I am kinda with ya. There are many U2 songs better than this one, but I get that sing along live nature of it has made it a fan favorite. 

 

[Alex P Keaton]

I would not call it boring, but I am kinda with ya. There are many U2 songs better than this one, but I get that sing along live nature of it has made it a fan favorite. 

I get that too.  I’ve experienced it.  It was fine.  Didn’t move me nearly as much as a whole bunch of other live songs.  But I love that others love this one.

 

[Nemesis]

#33 - 40 (1983) Highest- 35     Lowest- 89    War LP
Vulture-16/218 - the band’s studio time literally running out & being 1 track short, Bono saying “Let’s do a psalm” — is completely & totally outweighed by the beauty of the recorded performance: Edge standing in on bass, simple but powerful backing vocals, & Bono’s voice, not at its most magnificent, but definitely in his feelings. It is an ode, a tribute, a deep blues — lyrics were lifted from Psalm 40, they are vague enough to leave space for the nonbeliever. the line in “Sunday Bloody Sunday” — “How long must we sing this song?” — that opened the album would be mirrored here at the end.

But you can’t write about “40” without talking about its place in the live show. It would close most of the band’s shows in the ’80s, & was one of those moments that became a crucial part of what U2 was to their fans. The spikiest mohawked punks would stand down, hold hands, put their arms around the people near them & sing their hearts out on the chorus. And there was nothing quite like making your way out of the venue & hearing the refrain echoing off the lobby walls, down the streets, & into the subways. It was — is still — a piece of U2 magic that is hard to explain adequately. It closes a show gently, with civility & unity. It lifts your heart up, which is what a psalm is meant to do, even if you’re a nonbeliever.

Comment - Great to close out a show. Great singalong. How many times would you just put this one song on? 

Songfact:
U2’s version of Psalm 40 was the 10th track & gave their 1983 War album its big finale. This was the last song written for the album. They had already used an extra week of studio time, but felt they needed 1 more song in a hurry.

For the music,  they decided to revive an abandoned song that Edge described as having "a great bass hook but a slightly unwieldy arrangement w lots of strange sections & time changes" that they had been unable to translate into a "coherent song". Producer Steve Lillywhite quickly did a multi-track edit of the song, removing any parts that seemed disconnected from the main musical idea. Bass player Adam Clayton had already gone home when they recorded this, so Edge played both guitar & bass.  In search of lyrical inspiration, Bono opened a bible, & read from Psalm 40 (“I waited patiently for the Lord”) to which he based his words.  As soon as his vocals were recorded & the song mixed, the band immediately exited the studio, completing the sessions for War.

Producer Steve Lillywhite on the recording session: "After working all night on the album, we had to leave the studio at 7 in the morning 'cause another band, called Minor Detail, were starting then. It was incredible - Bono was singing 'New Year's Day' w this other band waiting outside! We'd not even started mixing it yet. Bono was doing the vocal while we were doing the mixing, & we got out by 7.

Bono: "This is a song that when we were being thrown out of the studio... we spent 10 mins writing this next song, 10 mins recording it, 10 mins mixing it, 10 mins playing it back, & that's nothing to do w why it's called '40.'"

It also became 1 of their trusty concert-closing singalongs as U2 leave the stage one-by-one.  First Bono stops singing, then Adam (playing guitar) departs,  which leaves Edge & Larry on stage continuing their parts.  Finally, Edge drops out, leaving Larry playing drums on his own- until then he stops, stands up throws his drum sticks to the crowd & departs as well.  All of this happens while the crowd continues to finish the song.

Lyrics: 
Bono took this lyric from one of his key influences: King David, who wrote the Psalms. “I was always interested in the character of David in the Bible because he was such a screw-up. It’s a great amusement to me that the people God chose to use in the Scriptures were all liars, cheaters, adulterers, murderers. I don’t know which of those activities I was involved in at the time, but I certainly related to David. I was writing my psalm.”

40 was ONLY released as a commercial single in Germany, simply to promote U2's appearance at the Loreley Festival in 1983.  The B-side on that release was Two Hearts Beat as One.

Dave Stewart of Eurythmics had his 1st encounter w Bono when the U2 lead singer pulled Stewart on stage during a show in Ireland's Phoenix Park in 1983. He handed Stewart a microphone & had him join in on the song. Stewart recounts in The Dave Stewart Songbook, "I was mortified - not knowing the lyrics, I stood there frozen, staring out at a sea of Irish faces.

40 Live from Red Rocks - 1983  (NOTE:  This is the Video from Red Rocks.....NOT the recording that was used on the album Under a Blood Red Sky)

40 (Live August 20, 1983 Rockpalast Festival - Sankt Goarshausen, Germany)  <--This is the audio used on UABRS.

40 - Tempe, AZ 1987  Outtake Footage that didn't make R&H - Tempe, Arizona 12/20/1987   (YES....THAT famous concert!  at the 6:45 mark, you can clearly see Edge playing the bass....And Larry includes a strong solo at the end.)Landed at #50 when Rolling Stone ranked their Top50 U2 songs.

Been played 521 times in concert (~15th most performed live song)
                Most of them In the 80's:     War,   TUF,   TJT,   Lovetown
                only 6 times in the 90's:         1x Zoo,   5x Popmart
                Quite a lot in the 2000's:      Elevation,   Vertigo,   & 360 Tours
                In the 2010's:                         Only ~30x on the I+E Tour......Last time it was played was 2016...Was not played on the TJT Anniv 2017 or 2019

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Our relationship didn’t last and was filled with strife and aggravation. Lots of bad stuff happened before, during, and after. She was a real life cancer that ended up completely altering how my life turned out. While I have great memories of Love Is Blindness, I don’t have great memories of her. 

Sorry to hear. You sort of more than implied that during your previous post. 

While I hate to drag up bad memories, how does listening to Love is Blindness make you feel now? It gave you a brief respite on a colorful wedding day, but does it remind you of that moment, her or just passes you by these days?

I can’t listen to Sunday Girl by Blondie without being reminded of crashing a car while summersaulting through the air doing a100mph in 1992. As I landed upside down, Sunday Girl is still playing and after the holy crap I am still alive moment, Debbie Harry singing is the next memory.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Lovely.  Very well executed.  And boring.  I would have been lowest on this.  Shocked that it lands here.  

Take it out of its concert setting, sure. I doubt many people are playing repeat on it while listening to War. Ranking a song high cause it gave you great concert moments and memories is the whole point of this. 

If we took a track or 2 that is still to come on its recorded version we would have said goodbye to it ages ago. 

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Take it out of its concert setting, sure. I doubt many people are playing repeat on it while listening to War. Ranking a song high cause it gave you great concert moments and memories is the whole point of this. 

If we took a track or 2 that is still to come on its recorded version we would have said goodbye to it ages ago. 

Yeah, I get that lots of people had that concert experience, which is awesome!  I didn’t — despite hearing it in concert.  Maybe I heard it on an off night.   

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Sorry to hear. You sort of more than implied that during your previous post. 

While I hate to drag up bad memories, how does listening to Love is Blindness make you feel now? It gave you a brief respite on a colorful wedding day, but does it remind you of that moment, her or just passes you by these days?

I can’t listen to Sunday Girl by Blondie without being reminded of crashing a car while summersaulting through the air doing a100mph in 1992. As I landed upside down, Sunday Girl is still playing and after the holy crap I am still alive moment, Debbie Harry singing is the next memory.

Whoa

 

[Nemesis]

Take it out of its concert setting, sure. I doubt many people are playing repeat on it while listening to War. Ranking a song high cause it gave you great concert moments and memories is the whole point of this. 

If we took a track or 2 that is still to come on its recorded version we would have said goodbye to it ages ago. 

JML:  Great point   Your song links are typically the official video based on the studio recording.  This is exactly why I’ve tried to provide a complimentary live concert version (or remix version) to give another prospective or see the emotion generated. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#32 - The Electric Co (1980)

Highest Rank - 27

Lowest Rank - 83

Where to Find it - Boy LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -29/218 - The guitar run on the bridge is one of the most breathtaking moments for U2 as a band. It breaks down to ambient echo for Bono’s voice to act as another instrument, the lyrics not mattering, before Edge comes back in to round everybody up — then Larry’s drums almost take over. It references the Who lovingly and blatantly at the very end, cymbal crashes and high arpeggios and Bono’s voice soaring behind it all.

Comment - A good album track and early crowd fave. Its just doesnt hold up anymore. It’s nice to hear and all, but i much prefer a quarter of their catalog over this. Yep I am the lowest,  but there is a #78 as well. 

Next up, We see another of the #2 rankings hit us way too early. This one is off All that You Can’t Leave Behind

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#32 - The Electric Co (1980)

Highest Rank - 27

Lowest Rank - 83

Where to Find it - Boy LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -29/218 - The guitar run on the bridge is one of the most breathtaking moments for U2 as a band. It breaks down to ambient echo for Bono’s voice to act as another instrument, the lyrics not mattering, before Edge comes back in to round everybody up — then Larry’s drums almost take over. It references the Who lovingly and blatantly at the very end, cymbal crashes and high arpeggios and Bono’s voice soaring behind it all.

Comment - A good album track and early crowd fave. Its just doesnt hold up anymore. It’s nice to hear and all, but i much prefer a quarter of their catalog over this. Yep I am the lowest,  but there is a #78 as well. 

Next up, We see another of the #2 rankings hit us way too early. This one is off All that You Can’t Leave Behind

One of the best from their early style. I agree with Vulture that it does have the dynamics of The Who, but it also has the jitteriness of post-punk, so it’s not a copy by any means. 

 

[Alex P Keaton]

One of the best from their early style. I agree with Vulture that it does have the dynamics of The Who, but it also has the jitteriness of post-punk, so it’s not a copy by any means. 

Yep.  Great early song.  #22 on my list, but as mentioned often, I’m a huge fan of the entire Boy album and early U2 sound.  Vulture breakdown is solid.

 

[BobbyLayne]

#33 - 40 (1983)

Highest Rank - 35

Lowest Rank - 89

Where to Find it - War LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -16/218 - The story behind the track’s genesis — the band’s studio time literally running out and being one track short, Bono saying “Let’s do a psalm” — is completely and totally outweighed by the beauty of the recorded performance: Edge standing in on bass, with chords that go straight to the heart, simple but powerful backing vocals, and Bono’s voice, not at its most magnificent, but definitely in his feelings. It is an ode, a tribute, a deep blues — and even though the lyrics were lifted from Psalm 40, they are vague enough to leave space for the nonbeliever to find his or her own meaning in the track. It was likely subconscious, but significant, that the line in “Sunday Bloody Sunday” — “How long must we sing this song?” — that opened the album would be mirrored here at the end.

But you can’t write about “40” without talking about its place in the live show. It would close most of the band’s shows in the ’80s, and was one of those moments that became a crucial part of what U2 was to their fans. The spikiest mohawked punks would stand down, hold hands, put their arms around the people near them and sing their hearts out on the chorus. And there was nothing quite like making your way out of the venue and hearing the refrain echoing off the lobby walls, down the streets, and into the subways. It was — is still — a piece of U2 magic that is hard to explain adequately. It closes a show gently, with civility and unity. It lifts your heart up, which is what a psalm is meant to do, even if you’re a nonbeliever.

Comment - Great to close out a show. Great singalong. How many times would you just put this one song on? I thought about adjusting my ranking to put it 7 spots lower,  but that would be cheating just for lolz. It is where it is. 

Next up, another Oldie as we reduce Boy from 3 tracks left to 2

have been waiting for this one to pop up. was always a favorite of mine bc the Psalm it comes from is a favorite, and bc it was the final encore when I saw them on the 3rd leg of the Joshua Tree tour. the 70,000 or so who were in the stadium that night continued to sing it for a good 20 minutes after the show ended, as we descended the concourse ramps and outside in the parking lot. In the intervening years I've gone to many shows that felt like a intimate communal, shared experience - The Frames and The Hold Steady come to mind - but at the time it was a singular experience.

Los Lobos and Buckwheat Zydeco opened.

1987-12-05: Tampa Stadium - Tampa, Florida, USA Setlist:

1. Where the Streets Have No Name
   
2. I Will Follow
   
3. Trip Through Your Wires
   
4. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Exodus (snippet)
   
5. One Tree Hill
   
6. Gloria
   
7. Sunday Bloody Sunday
   
8. Exit / Riders On The Storm (snippet) / Van Morrison's Gloria (snippet)
   
9. In God's Country
   
10. People Get Ready
    
11. Bad / Ruby Tuesday (snippet) / Sympathy For The Devil (snippet)
    
12. October
    
13. New Year's Day
    
14. Pride (In the Name of Love)
    

encore(s):

• Bullet the Blue Sky
  
• Running To Stand Still
  
• With or Without You / Shine Like Stars (snippet) / Love Will Tear Us Apart (snippet)
  
• We'll Meet Again (snippet) / Spanish Eyes
  
• 40 / Do They Know It's Christmas (snippet)
  

Songs from 6 U2 albums (snippets are not counted):

The Joshua Tree (9 songs)
War (3 songs)
October (2 songs)
The Unforgettable Fire (2 songs)
B-Sides (1 song)
Boy (1 song)
Cover songs (1 song)

 

[Anarchy99]

#37 - Until the End of the World (1991)

Highest Rank - 19

Lowest Rank - 106

Where to Find it - Achtung Baby LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -40/218 - Written for the most underrated Wim Wenders film, “Until the End of the World” is the sound of the snake slithering up the tree in the Garden of Eden after getting Eve to take a bite of the apple. It is a conversation between Jesus and Judas. It is about the sharpest, deepest betrayal, but the twist comes at the end: “I reached out for the one I tried to destroy / You, you said you’d wait / Till the end of the world.” Ultimately, forgiveness triumphs. The noise behind the lyrics is enormous and overpowering, embodying the pain of disloyalty, both for the person committing the bad act and the one suffering from it.

Comment - Top class album track. Wouldn’t it be great if all album tracks had this quality. The musicianship and production on this is just a class above.

Next up, the second last track from HTDAAB, which one will it be? Hello Hello (Hola) or Oh, You Look so Beautiful tonight

I was highest on this and can't figure out how someone would have this outside their Top 100. But yet, here we are.

 

[Anarchy99]

#33 - 40 (1983)

Highest Rank - 35

Lowest Rank - 89

Where to Find it - War LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -16/218 - The story behind the track’s genesis — the band’s studio time literally running out and being one track short, Bono saying “Let’s do a psalm” — is completely and totally outweighed by the beauty of the recorded performance: Edge standing in on bass, with chords that go straight to the heart, simple but powerful backing vocals, and Bono’s voice, not at its most magnificent, but definitely in his feelings. It is an ode, a tribute, a deep blues — and even though the lyrics were lifted from Psalm 40, they are vague enough to leave space for the nonbeliever to find his or her own meaning in the track. It was likely subconscious, but significant, that the line in “Sunday Bloody Sunday” — “How long must we sing this song?” — that opened the album would be mirrored here at the end.

But you can’t write about “40” without talking about its place in the live show. It would close most of the band’s shows in the ’80s, and was one of those moments that became a crucial part of what U2 was to their fans. The spikiest mohawked punks would stand down, hold hands, put their arms around the people near them and sing their hearts out on the chorus. And there was nothing quite like making your way out of the venue and hearing the refrain echoing off the lobby walls, down the streets, and into the subways. It was — is still — a piece of U2 magic that is hard to explain adequately. It closes a show gently, with civility and unity. It lifts your heart up, which is what a psalm is meant to do, even if you’re a nonbeliever.

Comment - Great to close out a show. Great singalong. How many times would you just put this one song on? I thought about adjusting my ranking to put it 7 spots lower,  but that would be cheating just for lolz. It is where it is. 

Next up, another Oldie as we reduce Boy from 3 tracks left to 2

I was lowest on this one. Sure, it's a great singalong song to close out a show. But it's pretty repetitive and as a standalone song without the whole album or a full concert, it's good but not great for me. Essentially, it's a reflective song to appreciate the quality performance of the album or the concert. So IMO, it gets a bump from being grouped with other things that it doesn't get being on its own.

 

[Anarchy99]

Sorry to hear. You sort of more than implied that during your previous post. 

While I hate to drag up bad memories, how does listening to Love is Blindness make you feel now? It gave you a brief respite on a colorful wedding day, but does it remind you of that moment, her or just passes you by these days?

I can’t listen to Sunday Girl by Blondie without being reminded of crashing a car while summersaulting through the air doing a100mph in 1992. As I landed upside down, Sunday Girl is still playing and after the holy crap I am still alive moment, Debbie Harry singing is the next memory.

As odd as it may sound, I really don't listen to U2 all that much. I did a few years ago when I did my U2 giveaway. When you solicited looking for victims, I mean volunteers, I figured why not. I know enough about them and their music that I could hopefully contribute something.

I have had stretches where I went years without hearing Love Is Blindness. Sure, it's bittersweet, but there are so many other things that happened since then that it almost feels surreal, almost like that day never happened. To summarize, so many toxic things happened with my ex that I have grown numb to the experience and mostly just block it out. I moved on and got remarried long ago, and not thinking about it much has kept me mostly sane.

If you want to hear more about the craziness I can shoot you a PM, but there's a lot to it that really isn't appropriate for general consumption on a message board.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

have been waiting for this one to pop up. was always a favorite of mine bc the Psalm it comes from is a favorite, and bc it was the final encore when I saw them on the 3rd leg of the Joshua Tree tour. the 70,000 or so who were in the stadium that night continued to sing it for a good 20 minutes after the show ended, as we descended the concourse ramps and outside in the parking lot. In the intervening years I've gone to many shows that felt like a intimate communal, shared experience - The Frames and The Hold Steady come to mind - but at the time it was a singular experience.

Los Lobos and Buckwheat Zydeco opened.

1987-12-05: Tampa Stadium - Tampa, Florida, USA Setlist:

1. Where the Streets Have No Name
   
2. I Will Follow
   
3. Trip Through Your Wires
   
4. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Exodus (snippet)
   
5. One Tree Hill
   
6. Gloria
   
7. Sunday Bloody Sunday
   
8. Exit / Riders On The Storm (snippet) / Van Morrison's Gloria (snippet)
   
9. In God's Country
   
10. People Get Ready
    
11. Bad / Ruby Tuesday (snippet) / Sympathy For The Devil (snippet)
    
12. October
    
13. New Year's Day
    
14. Pride (In the Name of Love)
    

encore(s):

• Bullet the Blue Sky
  
• Running To Stand Still
  
• With or Without You / Shine Like Stars (snippet) / Love Will Tear Us Apart (snippet)
  
• We'll Meet Again (snippet) / Spanish Eyes
  
• 40 / Do They Know It's Christmas (snippet)
  

Songs from 6 U2 albums (snippets are not counted):

The Joshua Tree (9 songs)
War (3 songs)
October (2 songs)
The Unforgettable Fire (2 songs)
B-Sides (1 song)
Boy (1 song)
Cover songs (1 song)

That’s amazing.  This gave me goosebumps.

 

[Anarchy99]

#32 - The Electric Co (1980)

Highest Rank - 27

Lowest Rank - 83

Where to Find it - Boy LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -29/218 - The guitar run on the bridge is one of the most breathtaking moments for U2 as a band. It breaks down to ambient echo for Bono’s voice to act as another instrument, the lyrics not mattering, before Edge comes back in to round everybody up — then Larry’s drums almost take over. It references the Who lovingly and blatantly at the very end, cymbal crashes and high arpeggios and Bono’s voice soaring behind it all.

Comment - A good album track and early crowd fave. Its just doesnt hold up anymore. It’s nice to hear and all, but i much prefer a quarter of their catalog over this. Yep I am the lowest,  but there is a #78 as well. 

Next up, We see another of the #2 rankings hit us way too early. This one is off All that You Can’t Leave Behind

I was second at 28. Don't know how many times I can say it, but some of their early works are just filled with so much energy. Not to shoot down anyone else, but since we started doing this however many months ago, like many others, I have been listening to a lot of U2 lately. For me, that also involved listening to concerts both old and new. IMO, the more recent versions of old songs, while brilliantly performed and articulated, just aren't the same a lot of the time.

The more recent live shows just don't have that oomph that they did back in the 80's. It's a lot like a Hall of Fame pitcher that threw 100 mph as a youngster that struck everyone out and won a lot of games. Then many years later, that pitcher switched to being a crafty pitcher that nibbled and had to confuse batters when the fastball dropped to 90 mph. That pitcher could still win games by outsmarting opponents, but the dominating, blow people away with 18 strikeouts and a 1 hitter days were gone.

The newer live shows are still good . . . more subtle, more nuance, more restrained, more calculated, and some bursts of energy to help drive the message. But to me, that non-stop energy and drive of the early days was something I enjoy more. Maybe I am in the minority on that, who knows. But if I am going to listen to live versions of old songs, I prefer the performances from back in the day.

As far as Electric Co. goes, when Bono climbed the rigging and sang from the top of the stage at the US Festival blew my mind. LINK

 

[Ghost Rider]

The Electric Co. is one of those U2 songs where I never listen to the studio version. It’s good on Boy, but it’s next level awesome on Under a Blood Red Sky. Edge’s guitar work is so frantic. Just a killer time. 

 

[Nemesis]

#32 - The Electric Co (1980)  Highest- 27     Lowest- 83       Boy LP
Vulture 29/218 - The guitar run on the bridge is 1 of the most breathtaking moments for U2 as a band. It breaks down to ambient echo for Bono’s voice to act as another instrument, the lyrics not mattering, before Edge comes back in to round everybody up — then Larry’s drums almost take over. It references the Who lovingly & blatantly at the very end, cymbal crashes & high arpeggios & Bono’s voice soaring behind it all.

Comment - A good album track & early crowd fave. Its just doesnt hold up anymore. It’s nice to hear & all, but i much prefer a quarter of their catalog over this. Yep I am the lowest,  but there is a #78 as well. 

Songfact:
“Electric Co.” is an abbreviation that refers to Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT), which was a popular treatment in Irish mental hospitals, but 1 that the band felt was inhumane.  A school friend of the band who tried to kill themselves was confined to Grangegorman District Mental Hospital & had been tortured w electroshock therapy.  When Bono visited him, this friend talked about killing himself as a way out of the place.

The song was a high point on U2’s 1980 debut, Boy, w reverb-crazed guitar steeped in Public Image Ltd or Echo & the Bunnymen, as well as the “boy” refrain that gave the album its title. It found a much larger audience when it was included on their 1983 live album Under A Blood Red Sky, released after their breakthrough album War.

When playing this song live in concert in the early 80's, Bono often threw in a snippet of Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns,” in the middle of the song. Such was the case when U2 originally recorded the live version of the song for UABRS at the 1983 Rockpalast festival in Germany.  It turned out to be an expensive habit, as they did not get permission rights for the snippet, & had to pay Sondheim $50,000 & edit it out of later US releases. It remains on non-US releases because the US copyright law does not apply.  Bono began replacing “Send in the Clowns” with “Amazing Grace” – a much cheaper option.

when Bono climbed the 50' rigging & sang from the top of the stage at the US Festival blew my mind. LINK

Bono's antics probably scared the crap of the band and venue/promoters.
Here's when he climbed the back control tower at the Rockpalast Festival in 1983 Germany  Link  (<--this is the audio recording used on Under a Blood Red Sky, but they had to edit and remove the "Send in the Clowns" segment)
Both links you can also hear the snippet of "Send in the Clowns" 

I saw the following comment from a fan & thought it was good to include it here: 
         "the 1st song I know with a fade-out AND a fade-in at the end".

Landed at #38 when Rolling Stone ranked their Top50 U2 songs

Been played 471 times in concert...........mostly in the 80's tours.    From AUG 1987 to MARCH 2005, it wasn't played at all.  It did find its way into most of the Vertigo concerts and some of the I+E concerts.

 

[Anarchy99]

Speaking of Bono acting like Spiderman, I remember hearing about a show around that same time where he climbed to the top of the rigging on top of the stage with a U2 flag like he did at the US Festival but then jumped into the upper section of an arena. I think it was at The Spectrum in Philadelphia. I bet insurance companies cringed at the mere thought of it.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Speaking of Bono acting like Spiderman, I remember hearing about a show around that same time where he climbed to the top of the rigging on top of the stage with a U2 flag like he did at the US Festival but then jumped into the upper section of an arena. I think it was at The Spectrum in Philadelphia. I bet insurance companies cringed at the mere thought of it.

Yeah, I think that story shows up in the Unforgettable Fire book, but could be wrong.  The whole band was mad at him — they were convinced he would die or get maimed, or that a crazy fan would die instead trying to imitate Bono.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Speaking of Bono acting like Spiderman, I remember hearing about a show around that same time where he climbed to the top of the rigging on top of the stage with a U2 flag like he did at the US Festival but then jumped into the upper section of an arena. I think it was at The Spectrum in Philadelphia. I bet insurance companies cringed at the mere thought of it.

I believe it was at the Tower, a 3000-ish seat theater where they played when War came out. Still exists today. There was much chatter about that in the city when it happened. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

One of the best from their early style. I agree with Vulture that it does have the dynamics of The Who, but it also has the jitteriness of post-punk, so it’s not a copy by any means. 

Yep.  Great early song.  #22 on my list, but as mentioned often, I’m a huge fan of the entire Boy album and early U2 sound.  Vulture breakdown is solid.

I was second at 28. Don't know how many times I can say it, but some of their early works are just filled with so much energy. Not to shoot down anyone else, but since we started doing this however many months ago, like many others, I have been listening to a lot of U2 lately. For me, that also involved listening to concerts both old and new. IMO, the more recent versions of old songs, while brilliantly performed and articulated, just aren't the same a lot of the time.

The Electric Co. is one of those U2 songs where I never listen to the studio version. It’s good on Boy, but it’s next level awesome on Under a Blood Red Sky. Edge’s guitar work is so frantic. Just a killer time. 

I must be the only one who thinks nostalgia ain’t what it used to be. I would much rather hear new material. Sure I can put on Achtung, Joshua Tree etc and it makes me feel great, but theres nothing like the feeling and excitement of the new listen. The anticipation, the fear, the unknown. 

It’s bit like making love to a woman you haven’t been with before.. Sure its nice and familiar to be with someone you love again, but the unknown of the new.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

I must be the only one who thinks nostalgia ain’t what it used to be. I would much rather hear new material. Sure I can put on Achtung, Joshua Tree etc and it makes me feel great, but theres nothing like the feeling and excitement of the new listen. The anticipation, the fear, the unknown. 

It’s bit like making love to a woman you haven’t been with before.. Sure its nice and familiar to be with someone you love again, but the unknown of the new.

I’ve been married a long time.  I’m sure you are right.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I would much rather hear new material.

Depends on where it's coming from. If an artist hasn't held my interest for a while, I am not particularly excited to hear their next work. If they have, then I am. 

I had to confess in my Neil Young countdown thread that I have not heard his new album yet and have not made the effort to listen to it -- because most of his output in the past 10 years has been terrible, so I'm not excited for what comes next. But I still listen to his old stuff all the time. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

I was highest on this and can't figure out how someone would have this outside their Top 100. But yet, here we are.

Yeah I am flummoxed on this one, but I think we can expect the unexpected from each other. There are only 4 individual rankings left with a number over 100, the lowest being 122. Three belong to the ranker who has the most varied list. 

That means the absolute shock rankings are less frequent from now on. That said, our list with the most variation has maybe nine songs left that drag down a ranking. You have seven of those left, the other guy has seven and I only have 3 where I am totally out of step. 

Out of the songs remaining the difference between the second lowest ranker and the bottom rank is most extreme with examples of 95, 89, 76, 63, 63 and 56 left to come. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

If you want to hear more about the craziness I can shoot you a PM, but there's a lot to it that really isn't appropriate for general consumption on a message board.

If you need the therapy, shoot me a PM. I don’t have a burning desire  to pry into the dark recesses of what happened, but if it helps you, send it my way. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Depends on where it's coming from. If an artist hasn't held my interest for a while, I am not particularly excited to hear their next work. If they have, then I am. 

I had to confess in my Neil Young countdown thread that I have not heard his new album yet and have not made the effort to listen to it -- because most of his output in the past 10 years has been terrible, so I'm not excited for what comes next. But I still listen to his old stuff all the time. 

I get it. I mean I wouldnt have listened to the last 2 U2 albums if it werent for this thread and the thought of listening to new material from some artists I used to dig, like Simple Minds and Ultravox/Midge Ure fills me with dread. Then again new material from OMD, Royksopp, Interpol, A Ha, Jean Michel Jarre etc excites me. 

By the way I have never really been into Neil Young, lack of familiarity mainly, but one of the artists he clearly inspired, so much so he used Crazy Horse as his backing band on his Head Like A Rock Album, Ian McNabb, former front man of the Icicle Works, is one of my favorite artists. Do you often listen to Neil Young wannabes or those heavily influenced by him to get better “new” Neil Young?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Do you often listen to Neil Young wannabes or those heavily influenced by him to get better “new” Neil Young?

I take notice when a new artist that appears on my radar seems to be inspired by Neil. But I don't view them as Neil substitutes. 

 

[zoonation]

I was highest on this and can't figure out how someone would have this outside their Top 100. But yet, here we are.

Edge's guitar work on this song is so good.  It was a top 10 song on the recent U2 X Radio ranking (based on listener votes).

 

[Nemesis]

Yeah, I think that story shows up in the Unforgettable Fire book, but could be wrong.  The whole band was mad at him — they were convinced he would die or get maimed, or that a crazy fan would die instead trying to imitate Bono.

Yes, I read that book and that does sound familiar.

More Bono climbing:   Link  Festival Grounds - Roskilde, Denmark 2nd July 1982 (Bono tries to climb over BARBED WIRE during Electric Co    and  then goes up in a crane over the audience at the 27:45 mark during 11 O'clock Tick tock)
at torhout /werchter  July 3, 1982 Link 
Gateshead 1982 Link

 @Anarchy99 Is this what you were referring to? 
1983-06-17: Sports Arena - Los Angeles, California, USA Link to setlist (I can't find video)   I did find the audio of the concert
U2's first headlining performance in an arena. The show was, hastily moved to the 15,000-plus arena after U2's spectacular performance a couple of weeks earlier at the US Festival in nearby San Bernardino.  Sunday Bloody Sunday is halted during the drum into while Bono asks the audience to move back. As usual Bono climbs a balcony during The Electric Co., & he is grabbed & chased by numerous fans up there. He is still trying to make his way down to the stage as the band begin I Fall Down, & is forced to jump 20' to the floor to escape the chasing fans. The people on the floor try to grab him, & a fight nearly breaks out as he pushes past a man in his rush to return to the stage. Dennis Sheehan comes to his aid & pulls him back up, though both of their clothing is torn. After the concert Bono is lambasted by the band & tour crew for continuing his climbing antics after multiple warnings.

Someone at that concert comment's:
Bono went willingly into the crowd, people were not chasing him all over the place. In fact, at one point he went out into the crowd & walked along the balcony edge while he sang. It looked dangerous. All these hands were holding him as he walked like he had no care for his safety along the railing. Then they handed him down from the balcony & tons of hands from the first floor reached up to receive him. He did not Jump 20 feet to the floor. After that he was being passed carefully by fans that adored him. It took him awhile to get back to the stage from that point where they lifted him up from the crowd. One guy hurt himself jumping from the balcony to the rear of the stage to be near the band. There was a lot of energy in that place. Still have the Tshirt! Best concert memory ever.

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I already posted these 2 about Bono but I'll copy/paste them here again: 

1. During rehearsals on 1 April 1987, the day before the opening show in Tempe, Arizona, Bono fell onto a spotlight he was carrying during a rendition of "Bullet the Blue Sky", cutting open his chin. He was taken to a hospital & the wound was stitched up. Bono later said, "I was lost in the music & at the start of any tour you're just getting to know the physicality of the stage... & you're overestimating your own physicality. You think you're made of metal & you're not. Cuts & bruises, that's what I remember from The JT."
    
   
2. Bono sustained a 2nd injury on 20 Sept 1987 during a concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. on the 3rd leg of the tour. He fell off the rain-slicked stage & dislocated his arm. He completed the performance & had his arm popped back into place after its conclusion. His arm was in a sling for 12 shows between 22 Sept & 20 Oct, which is visible at some points during the 1988 film Rattle & Hum   (I posted several links to JT tour concert footage and we discussed where Pip attended one of the Bono in a sling concerts
    
   

And I'll add a new Bono Injury TIDBIT here:
In 2015, Bono was rushed to the hospital following a “high energy bicycle accident” in NY’s Central Park in an effort to avoid another bicyclist.  It left him w a facial fracture in his left eye socket, 3 separate fractures of his left shoulder blade & a shattered left humorous that tore through the skin & stuck out of his upper arm. The repair(s) req'd 5 hrs of surgery & a titanium elbow. 

X-ray of arm
Bono in the hospital
Bono Discusses His Intense Bike Accident on The Tonight Show
Bono Rides a Bike with Jimmy Fallon   <------

 

[bigbottom]

I must be the only one who thinks nostalgia ain’t what it used to be. I would much rather hear new material. Sure I can put on Achtung, Joshua Tree etc and it makes me feel great, but theres nothing like the feeling and excitement of the new listen. The anticipation, the fear, the unknown. 

It’s bit like making love to a woman you haven’t been with before.. Sure its nice and familiar to be with someone you love again, but the unknown of the new.

This is a perfect metaphor. Because I haven’t had this experience since Achtung Baby. 

 

[Nemesis]

 I remember where he climbed the top rigging w a U2 flag like the US Festival but then jumped into the upper section. I think it was The Spectrum in Philly. I bet ins companies cringed.

I believe it was the Tower, a 3000-ish seat theater when War came out. Still exists today. There was much chatter about that in the city when it happened. 

U2 War Tour    War 2nd leg: North America
1983-05-14: Tower Theater - Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, USA

Link  no concert notes from that date or the 5/13 concert at Tower

 

[Alex P Keaton]

This is a perfect metaphor. Because I haven’t had this experience since Achtung Baby. 

I can’t decide if that is happy or sad

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#31 - Kite (2000)

Highest Rank - 2

Lowest Rank - 99

Where to Find it - All that You Can’t Leave Behind LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -85/218 - Another heartbreaker, this one is subconsciously about Bono’s father (who would pass away in 2001), but is also just another missive of remembrance and loss. Bono’s voice soars, climbing from the end of the first verse until he goes full throttle into the chorus, with the Edge behind him echoing the melody.

Comment - This is a beautiful song. Vocals and music are in harmony. Perfect album track. At a different time could have been a single. Another odd one for the rankings. We have the #2 ranking and two closer to 100. I am at #30 as I am quite fond of it. Some of the live versions are sensational. 

Next up, we start the top 30 with another Achtung Baby track

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

The admin to Date with 198 songs listed and 30 to go)

B-Sides = 49 (15 covers) - (1 track to go here and in Soundtracks etc)

Soundtracks/Special/Greatest Hits LPs - 19

No Line On The Horizon = 11 (All Done)

Songs of Innocence - 12 (All Done)

Songs of Experience = 13 (All Done)

Zooropa - 10 (Al Done)

October = 10 (1 to go)

Rattle and Hum - 11 (1 to go)

Pop - 11 (1 to go)

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - 11 (1 to go)

Boy - 9 (2 to go)

War - 8 (2 to go)

All that you can’t leave behind - 9 (3 to go)

The Unforgettable Fire - 6 (4 to go)

The Joshua Tree - 5 (6 to go)

Achtung Baby - 4 (8 to go)

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

14 of the last 30 are from the big 2 albums. We haven’t seen anything from Unforgettable Fire for ages either. It has 4 left.

With the next 10 tracks we start getting real serious. Three more tracks from Achtung Baby, our final anomaly song falls, several albums get down to one track and bye bye to one more album. Eight of the 10 songs were singles, one was sort a single and the 10th should have been a single. 

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#31 - Kite (2000)

Highest Rank - 2

Lowest Rank - 99

Where to Find it - All that You Can’t Leave Behind LP

Vulture.com ranking and comment -85/218 - Another heartbreaker, this one is subconsciously about Bono’s father (who would pass away in 2001), but is also just another missive of remembrance and loss. Bono’s voice soars, climbing from the end of the first verse until he goes full throttle into the chorus, with the Edge behind him echoing the melody.

Comment - This is a beautiful song. Vocals and music are in harmony. Perfect album track. At a different time could have been a single. Another odd one for the rankings. We have the #2 ranking and two closer to 100. I am at #30 as I am quite fond of it. Some of the live versions are sensational. 

Next up, we start the top 30 with another Achtung Baby track

This is a nice song, but musically it could have been done by anyone. It’s not very distinctively U2, or distinctively anything.  So a #2 ranking is baffling to me. The lyrics take it up a notch.

 

[Ghost Rider]

This is a nice song, but musically it could have been done by anyone. It’s not very distinctively U2, or distinctively anything.  So a #2 ranking is baffling to me. The lyrics take it up a notch.

Why does that matter?