U2 - Community rankings - FIN - #4 Sunday Bloody Sunday, #3 - One, #2 - Bad, #1 - Where the Streets Have No Name -Spotify links, thanks to Krista4 (2 Viewers)

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(163) - > #144 - Volcano

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 155/218 - “After grief comes rage,” Bono writes in the album liner notes for this track. But there’s a reasonable amount of self-deprecation in the lyrics — ”Do you live here or is this a vacation?” — and the melody is more upbeat than you’d expect for this subject matter.

Comment - An ambitious song that tries too hard. Definitely worth repeated listens. I can see why someone ranks it in the bottom 10, but i am the highest ranking here. 10 more listens and i drop it i guess. 

Total Points - 98.55

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 14.08 (Approximately a 74th rank). 

Ranks 154th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 41

Lowest Rank - 178

Previous Rank - 163 > 144

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - This time around it has a 41st ranking and 2 others just over 50 before the ones in the 100s. 

 

[krista4]

(221) > #291 - Pop Muzik

Agree with your thoughts on this.

(Unranked) - > #290 - Put em Under Pressure

So it has no U2 members actually on it?    It's also dreadful.

#289 - United Colours

I'm going to struggle to say anything about these tracks (though that isn't keeping my from posting!), except the one that made my list and the second one that almost did.  Just not my jam and I'm not sure how to distinguish among them.

 

[krista4]

(163) - > #144 - Volcano

Ambitious but tried too hard is an apt description IMO.  Didn't make my initial cut, but I can understand why it would be on some lists.

 

[Mr. Landry]

(Unranked) - > #290 - Put em Under Pressure

Guilty.  To my credit, this somehow showed up on a list of, I believe, 230 songs I copied and pasted into that ranker engine thingy.  I spent days ranking the songs and when I was finished I only had about 150 songs on my list.  Not sure where the other 80 went.  And this was one that did not disappear for some reason. It came up last in my original rankings and when I went back and added songs I just left it there.  

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(163) - > #144 - Volcano

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 155/218 - “After grief comes rage,” Bono writes in the album liner notes for this track. But there’s a reasonable amount of self-deprecation in the lyrics — ”Do you live here or is this a vacation?” — and the melody is more upbeat than you’d expect for this subject matter.

Comment - An ambitious song that tries too hard. Definitely worth repeated listens. I can see why someone ranks it in the bottom 10, but i am the highest ranking here. 10 more listens and i drop it i guess. 

Total Points - 98.55

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 14.08 (Approximately a 74th rank). 

Ranks 154th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 41

Lowest Rank - 178

Previous Rank - 163 > 144

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - This time around it has a 41st ranking and 2 others just over 50 before the ones in the 100s. 

It’s ok.  Not awful, not one that I really enjoy enough to listen to it frequently.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Guilty.  To my credit, this somehow showed up on a list of, I believe, 230 songs I copied and pasted into that ranker engine thingy.  I spent days ranking the songs and when I was finished I only had about 150 songs on my list.  Not sure where the other 80 went.  And this was one that did not disappear for some reason. It came up last in my original rankings and when I went back and added songs I just left it there.  

Don’t sweat it. Should have been my job to pick up on it. There could be others down the line, but once we are past 250 it should be smooth sailing. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #288 - Cartoon World

Amateur hour here. From the U2 3 sessions, so its a but expected. Riff sounds like a direct rip off of All Day and All of the Night by the Kinks. I can see why it wasnt developed further.

Anarchy99 comment

One of the early, early U2 songs, developed in 1979. This is a recording of the song from Dublin - 1980-02-26. It was one of the songs they considered for their Three EP and the Boy album. Performed 11 times. It eventually made it's way on a bonus CD included with the 2008 remastered edition of Boy. Officially released.

Total Points - 4.05

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 2.02 (Approximately a 224th rank). 

Ranks 295th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 197

Lowest Rank - 270

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 288

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #287 - American Prayer

Not sure why this one was a tricky project. The version on the link is nice enough. Apparently theres a version with Jello, sorry J Lo. I think its Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics project, originally with Joe Strummer, then Bono and the Edge and Beyonce. Its maybe too earnest to work, but the fact it hasnt attracted a release is curious. Its on the U2 songs website as a U2 song, not an associated act. Dont think Adam and Larry had any involvement, but this one would count as U2. 

Anarchy99 comment

Back to the 46664 HIV/AIDS concert in Capetown - 2003-11-29. Written by Bono, Dave Stewart, and Pharrell Williams. I don't believe it's appeared on an album, although I would consider this a fully developed and completed song. Not officially released.

Total Points - 4.05

Rankers - 1

One and only rank 169

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 287

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) - 286th - Down All the Days

So funny hearing this one. It starts off the exact same as Numb. Backing track essentially. Then goes elsewhere with Bono mumbling. Nowhere really. Its depressingly boring. 

Anarchy99 comment

Another AB Working Tapes track, it's basically Numb with Bono singing a completely different melody and lyrics. His contributions were later dropped in favor of Edge's grumblings. Officially released on one of the deluxe editions of Achtung Baby.

Total Points - 4.08

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 2.04 (Approximately a 223rd rank). 

Ranks 294th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 208

Lowest Rank - 238

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 286

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(102) - > 143rd - Unknown Caller

Vulture.com ranking and comment -46/218 - You hear the sounds of birds, recorded in Morocco? It’s the morning after “Moment of Surrender,” our hero hanging onto the universe by his fingernails (to paraphrase Bono), when he starts to get messages from his phone. “Are they a conscience, is it a crank, or is it God?” Bono wrote in the album’s liner notes. He knows the answer, because of the 3:33 reference; on the cover of All That You Can’t Leave Behind, the clock reads J3:33, and Bono explained, “That’s Jeremiah 3:33. The Scripture is ‘Call unto me and I will answer you.’ It’s celestial telephony.” The last minute-and-a-half of the song is a glorious instrumental interlude between organ, French horn, and a moving, lyrical solo from the Edge. Like “Moment of Surrender,” there is a serendipitous manifestation of energy between band and audience when it’s performed live. You don’t write lines like, “Go, shout it out, rise up,” if you don’t want to hear them sung in unison by a large group of people.

Comment - Another ambitious song that doesnt take flight. It’s one of the rare songs that we all have grouped together in a similar slot. Easy to do at the top of the rankings, you would think. Much harder in this area. 

Total Points - 101.3

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 14.47 (Approximately a 72nd rank). 

Ranks 149th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 46

Lowest Rank - 139

Previous Rank - 102 > 143

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Has 6 of its 7 votes in the top 100, most just inside. It takes a tumble of over 40 slots as it was only ranked by 7 people, mostly in the 75-100 area.  A bit more restrained than most on NLOH, but just doesnt quite work.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Unknown Caller. My rank was 66. 

I’m a fairly strong advocate for NLOTH generally speaking. Unknown Caller is sort of an average to below average song for that album until it’s time for Edge’s solo. It’s crisp. To me it’s one of his memorable solos so it earned the respectable ranking accordingly, on those merits. On the merits of The Edge.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(102) - > 143rd - Unknown Caller

Vulture.com ranking and comment -46/218 - You hear the sounds of birds, recorded in Morocco? It’s the morning after “Moment of Surrender,” our hero hanging onto the universe by his fingernails (to paraphrase Bono), when he starts to get messages from his phone. “Are they a conscience, is it a crank, or is it God?” Bono wrote in the album’s liner notes. He knows the answer, because of the 3:33 reference; on the cover of All That You Can’t Leave Behind, the clock reads J3:33, and Bono explained, “That’s Jeremiah 3:33. The Scripture is ‘Call unto me and I will answer you.’ It’s celestial telephony.” The last minute-and-a-half of the song is a glorious instrumental interlude between organ, French horn, and a moving, lyrical solo from the Edge. Like “Moment of Surrender,” there is a serendipitous manifestation of energy between band and audience when it’s performed live. You don’t write lines like, “Go, shout it out, rise up,” if you don’t want to hear them sung in unison by a large group of people.

Comment - Another ambitious song that doesnt take flight. It’s one of the rare songs that we all have grouped together in a similar slot. Easy to do at the top of the rankings, you would think. Much harder in this area. 

Total Points - 101.3

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 14.47 (Approximately a 72nd rank). 

Ranks 149th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 46

Lowest Rank - 139

Previous Rank - 102 > 143

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Has 6 of its 7 votes in the top 100, most just inside. It takes a tumble of over 40 slots as it was only ranked by 7 people, mostly in the 75-100 area.  A bit more restrained than most on NLOH, but just doesnt quite work.

Decent song.  Doesn’t do much for me, but I can at least see why people might like it.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(Unranked) > #288 - Cartoon World

Amateur hour here. From the U2 3 sessions, so its a but expected. Riff sounds like a direct rip off of All Day and All of the Night by the Kinks. I can see why it wasnt developed further.

Anarchy99 comment

One of the early, early U2 songs, developed in 1979. This is a recording of the song from Dublin - 1980-02-26. It was one of the songs they considered for their Three EP and the Boy album. Performed 11 times. It eventually made it's way on a bonus CD included with the 2008 remastered edition of Boy. Officially released.

Total Points - 4.05

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 2.02 (Approximately a 224th rank). 

Ranks 295th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 197

Lowest Rank - 270

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 288

No special version requested

Great comments JML.  I love the old songs (as many in here know) but they really were still growing into a sound at this point.   Very rough — not even raw, just rough.

 

[krista4]

(Unranked) > #288 - Cartoon World

(Unranked) - 286th - Down All the Days

Both of these actually made it through my first cut, though not my final list.  What can I say, I like raw early #### like "Cartoon World."  My notes said it didn't make the final cut because "unpolished, poor recording quality, feedback."  On "Down All the Days," I noted it didn't make the cut because the vocals were kinda crap and it droned on a long time.  

"American Prayer" is hot garbage.

 

[krista4]

(102) - > 143rd - Unknown Caller

My power-listen of all the U2 songs on the 400+ song list has failed me here.  This one didn't make my first cut.  I just listened to it again, and I liked it a lot.  Really did it for me, even before the guitar solo, though that was special, too.  If I were to rank again (no), I'd have to listen more but might throw it in the 65-70 range.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

One of the many reasons I enjoy the U2 rankings thread so much is because of how it brings songs to the forefront of consciousness. I haven't thought about Unknown Caller for a long time, maybe have listened to it once or twice recently. Today, it's playing on a loop in my brain. And it's good.

Huge shout out to JML. This thread is a beacon of light. Many thanks.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #285 - One Minute Warning

Another Passengers number. This one is better than the 2 we have already seen, but thats not saying much. More suited to a film score. At least this one has some tempo.

Anarchy99 comment

You know the world is out of phase when a Passengers tracks seems like the most normal of the recent entries. This one is a very electronic / avant-garde instrumental from Original Soundtracks 1 in 1995.

Total Points - 4.30

Rankers - 1

One and only rank 164

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 285

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #284 - Doctor Doctor

This isn’t one of my rankings. I just thought the quality of the recording was garbage and didn’t include. It is interesting, but it sounds like Bono is in the room next door.

Anarchy99 comment

A slow ballad from the AB Working Tapes in 1991. It doesn't sound like other U2 songs all that much. Not officially released.

Total Points - 4.45

Rankers - 1

One and only rank 161

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 284

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(193) > #283 - I remember You

Comment - Short and simple. Anthemic, if not repititive. I can see how this could be annoying, but I enjoyed it. A cover of a Ramones song

Total Points - 5.01

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 2.50 (Approximately a 200th rank). 

Ranks 285th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 193

Lowest Rank - 217

Previous Rank - 193 > 283

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - Falls 90 spots from last time. I was the biggest fan last time, but its repeititve nature and lack of excitement at hearing it anymore means it drops significantly on my list. The other ranker wasnt any more enthused.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(150) - > #142 - Cedarwood Road

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 88/218 - Bono grew up at 10 Cedarwood Road, and although he’s referenced his neighborhood plenty of times throughout U2’s history, this is the first time he brings us inside the house with teenage Bono. “You can’t return to where you’ve never left.”

Comment - Im sure Bono likes to talk about his past, I guess we all do. It forms us. Doesnt mean wrapping it up in a song always works.

Total Points - 101.66

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 14.52 (Approximately a 72nd rank). 

Ranks 148th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 23

Lowest Rank - 222

Previous Rank - 150 > 142

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Has one top 25 ranking and 3 others in the back half of the top 100. It actually rises in rankings over our first run, purely on the 23rd ranking. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Next Up

A really average movie soundtrack song and 2 songs that I am the solo ranker on. We are into my top 150 on them. One is an an early take on an Achtung Baby song that i love the music on. Bono not so much. The other is an early song I much prefer to half of Boy. No idea why it never made the album. After these 2 my solo ranked songs all rank much higher, but we will see them soon enough

In the middle we finally move away from 2000+ songs and get a 90s one instead. Its in similar territory to other ones in this area. About 7 rankers, one top 25 vote, a handful in the top 100 and me at the end. 

 

[krista4]

(Unranked) > #285 - One Minute Warning

(Unranked) > #284 - Doctor Doctor

(193) > #283 - I remember You

I'm happy to say none of these made my initial cut.  Passengers stuff is outside my bailiwick, but the other two are, simply put, awful.

 

[krista4]

(150) - > #142 - Cedarwood Road

I feel like I'm getting closer and closer to songs that were on my list.  This one did make my initial cut, but didn't end up on my final list due to being, according to my notes, "just nothing special."  I'd put out a call for the top 25 ranker to talk about why they like it, but such calls have been unanswered so far.    Wish we had the people submitting in here to talk about their picks.

 

[Mr. Landry]

(150) - > #142 - Cedarwood Road

Looks like I nailed this one....it was my #142 ranked song.

And I had Unknown Caller at #139 on my list....not far from it's #143.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

I'd put out a call for the top 25 ranker to talk about why they like it, but such calls have been unanswered so far.    Wish we had the people submitting in here to talk about their picks.

I promised anonymity to a few people. I am sure most will be happy to chip in, but we are at the stage where most of the songs listed only I or another ranker bothered with. Most of the ones in the middle only had 7 of 40 ranking them. 

The next batch, the one with the Boy era song I will be fascinated with other opinions. It’s almost unlike anything made by U2. Has a distinct sound from another band produced by Brian Eno and Steve Lillywhite when they were relatively new in the production game. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Looks like I nailed this one....it was my #142 ranked song.

And I had Unknown Caller at #139 on my list....not far from it's #143.

Thats a Bingo!

Enjoy it while you can lol. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(111) - > #141 - If You Wear That Velvet Dress

Vulture.com ranking and comment -98/218 - One of the more successful numbers on Pop, it’s full of simple but interesting textures; but like most of the songs on the album, it occupies a middle ground that’s vague and tentative. “It wanted to be a lounge classic,” Bono said. He finally got his wish when he recorded it with Jools Holland in 2007. Yes, Holland is a skilled bandleader, but the vocals are Bono in full torch-singer mode.

Comment - This is a snoozefest. Of more interest to me is the similarity in rankings to Elvis Presley and America. The same two of us have it ranked real low, while the same two have it high. This time the top ranking switches to the other ranker. Vulture is much more in line with their thinking this time.

Total Points - 102.81

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 14.68 (Approximately a 72nd rank). 

Ranks 147th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 25

Lowest Rank - 207

Previous Rank - 111 > 141

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Has one top 25 ranking and 4 others in the back half of the top 100. It drops noticeably in rankings as its 2 biggest backers last time either didnt include it or dropped it noticeably. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(218) > #282 - North Star

Comment - From the Transformers Dark of the Moon Soundtrack. I can remember watching this excrement in the cinema with my Transformers loving son and this was the only thing I was interested in. I am the outlier on the rankings on this one. It’s Short, relatively harmless and without charm. It is a pleasant time filler. 

Total Points - 5.02

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 2.51 (Approximately a 200th rank). 

Ranks 284th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 198

Lowest Rank - 204

Previous Rank - 193 > 283

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - Last time when listening to this I could hear the positives. This time I am hearing a meandering mess that just when it should get somewhere it pulls over and takes a nap. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #281 - The Dream is Over

My favorite so far, and that includes the ones we have seen from 150-141. This is U2 sounding as new wave as possible. As far as early U2 songs go this isnt bad at all. Chugs along nicely with some early new wave flair. Give me this over half of Boy anyday. It reminded of the early Ultravox fronted by John Foxx. The first Ultravox! album in 1977 was produced by future U2 producers Brian Eno and Steve Lillywhite in one of his first projects. Even if Lillywhite and Eno had no influence on this song, the Ultravox! Link cements the sound. Its not without fault, but the leap from punk to early new wave is heard here......2 years after Ultravox! Lol. I probably bump this 20 spots from where I actually ranked it by now

Anarchy99 comment

A highly quality demo recording from 1979. Sounds like you would expect early, early U2 to sound. It was performed 12 times in 79/80. Not officially released. Dublin - 1980-02-26

Total Points - 5.30

Rankers - 1

One and only rank 147

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 281

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

I am not expecting anyone to fawn over The Dream is Over. It’s average early new wave....recorded in the middle of new wave. Just curious on opinions, 

 

[krista4]

(218) > #282 - North Star

Previous Rank - 193 > 283 

Think this part got leftover from the prior song.

 

[bigbottom]

(Unranked) > #281 - The Dream is Over

My favorite so far, and that includes the ones we have seen from 150-141. This is U2 sounding as new wave as possible. As far as early U2 songs go this isnt bad at all. Chugs along nicely with some early new wave flair. Give me this over half of Boy anyday. It reminded of the early Ultravox fronted by John Foxx. The first Ultravox! album in 1977 was produced by future U2 producers Brian Eno and Steve Lillywhite in one of his first projects. Even if Lillywhite and Eno had no influence on this song, the Ultravox! Link cements the sound. Its not without fault, but the leap from punk to early new wave is heard here......2 years after Ultravox! Lol. I probably bump this 20 spots from where I actually ranked it by now

Anarchy99 comment

A highly quality demo recording from 1979. Sounds like you would expect early, early U2 to sound. It was performed 12 times in 79/80. Not officially released. Dublin - 1980-02-26

Total Points - 5.30

Rankers - 1

One and only rank 147

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 281

No special version requested

Whoa. Okay, really like this tune!

 

[foxco]

I am not expecting anyone to fawn over The Dream is Over. It’s average early new wave....recorded in the middle of new wave. Just curious on opinions, 

Not bad.  Like the guitar a lot. Bono not quite there yet or maybe just not great production value on the vocals. But solid, my favorite so far as well, thanks. 

 

[Pip's Invitation]

(Unranked) > #281 - The Dream is Over

My favorite so far, and that includes the ones we have seen from 150-141. This is U2 sounding as new wave as possible. As far as early U2 songs go this isnt bad at all. Chugs along nicely with some early new wave flair. Give me this over half of Boy anyday. It reminded of the early Ultravox fronted by John Foxx. The first Ultravox! album in 1977 was produced by future U2 producers Brian Eno and Steve Lillywhite in one of his first projects. Even if Lillywhite and Eno had no influence on this song, the Ultravox! Link cements the sound. Its not without fault, but the leap from punk to early new wave is heard here......2 years after Ultravox! Lol. I probably bump this 20 spots from where I actually ranked it by now

Anarchy99 comment

A highly quality demo recording from 1979. Sounds like you would expect early, early U2 to sound. It was performed 12 times in 79/80. Not officially released. Dublin - 1980-02-26

Total Points - 5.30

Rankers - 1

One and only rank 147

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 281

No special version requested

Many years ago, my friend who collected U2 B-sides also got his hands on a CD of pre-Boy songs. I remember thinking this one was the best. I can definitely hear the Ultravox in it.

 

[krista4]

(111) - > #141 - If You Wear That Velvet Dress

Comment - This is a snoozefest. 

(218) > #282 - North Star

just when it should get somewhere it pulls over and takes a nap. 

I actually laughed out loud at the end of this song.  That was it?!  Feels like half a song.  Also I don't enjoy the tinny vocals or the endless repeat of one uninteresting lyric.

(Unranked) > #281 - The Dream is Over

I had a lot of early stuff like this make my initial cut, so I'm surprised this one didn't.  Maybe I just missed it.  Would probably have thrown it on near the end of my list, at 110 or so.  Feels like they're just starting to come together here.  Not a fan of the muddied chorus, but I like the rest of it.

 

[krista4]

Next Up

A really average movie soundtrack song and 2 songs that I am the solo ranker on. We are into my top 150 on them. One is an an early take on an Achtung Baby song that i love the music on. Bono not so much. The other is an early song I much prefer to half of Boy. No idea why it never made the album. After these 2 my solo ranked songs all rank much higher, but we will see them soon enough

In the middle we finally move away from 2000+ songs and get a 90s one instead. Its in similar territory to other ones in this area. About 7 rankers, one top 25 vote, a handful in the top 100 and me at the end. 

I really enjoy the previews, by the way.  It's fun to try to figure out what the songs might be.  So far my success rate has been...let's see, carry the one, 0%, but it's still fun.

 

[Mr. Landry]

(111) - > #141 - If You Wear That Velvet Dress

Found the first, of what will probably be a few, song that got deleted from my orignal list (and I missed).

If I had ranked this, it would have come in at #141.  

Not really, but it would have made my list.

It's certainly better than "Put 'Em Under Pressure"

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Whoa. Okay, really like this tune!

Not bad.  Like the guitar a lot. Bono not quite there yet or maybe just not great production value on the vocals. But solid, my favorite so far as well, thanks. 

Many years ago, my friend who collected U2 B-sides also got his hands on a CD of pre-Boy songs. I remember thinking this one was the best. I can definitely hear the Ultravox in it.

I had a lot of early stuff like this make my initial cut, so I'm surprised this one didn't.  Maybe I just missed it.  Would probably have thrown it on near the end of my list, at 110 or so.  Feels like they're just starting to come together here.  Not a fan of the muddied chorus, but I like the rest of it.

Thanks for the opinions lovely people. I don’t think we are all that far apart. With this song there is something there. After listening to a lot of early demos where they are developing, this one stood out.  I am not sure if @Anarchy99has production credits on this one. It sounds like Lillywhite. Lillywhite did the first Ultravox! Album with Eno, but was solo producer on the follow up Ha Ha Ha!, also done in 1977.

Rockwrok - Produced by Lillywhite

The third John Foxx Ultravox! Album Systems of Romance, renowned German producer Conny Plank too over and this became A highly influential album on the UK new wave/synth pop scene. After Foxx left, Midge Ure took over and they became commercially viable. 

Slow Motion - Produced by Conny Plank

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #280 - I Feel Free

You can hear Until the end of the world on this, but the vocals and lyrics are a mess. Thankfully they threw away the rest, but kept the Edge parts. Not the worst early interpretation of one of their songs. The music is really good and its a reasonable stand alone song. At least its reasonably formed

Anarchy99 comment

Back to the AB Working Tapes from 1991 for an early version of what would turn into Until The End Of The World. Not sure what the wailing from Bono is all about, but all songs have to start out somewhere. Not officially released.

Total Points - 5.30

Rankers - 1

One and only rank 145

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 280

No special version requested

 

[krista4]

(Unranked) > #280 - I Feel Free

I had this on my initial list but ultimately cut it because I tried to get rid of the early versions of songs that were later reworked.  This one also suffered from being about 30% too long.  It's enjoyable, though.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(158) > #279 - Jesus Christ

Comment - Bono doesnt have the chops to do this justice.Musically it works well. Just needs a better vocalist

Total Points - 5.49

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 2.75 (Approximately a 195th rank). 

Ranks 280th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 182

Lowest Rank - 223

Previous Rank - 158 > 279

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - This song had a strong backer last time elevating it to #158. They didnt rank it this time and it plummets....maybe the most of any song. Its a lot more fun listening this time around,  but not quite there. 

 

[Anarchy99]

Thanks for the opinions lovely people. I don’t think we are all that far apart. With this song there is something there. After listening to a lot of early demos where they are developing, this one stood out.  I am not sure if @Anarchy99has production credits on this one. It sounds like Lillywhite. Lillywhite did the first Ultravox! Album with Eno, but was solo producer on the follow up Ha Ha Ha!, also done in 1977.

Rockwrok - Produced by Lillywhite

The third John Foxx Ultravox! Album Systems of Romance, renowned German producer Conny Plank too over and this became A highly influential album on the UK new wave/synth pop scene. After Foxx left, Midge Ure took over and they became commercially viable. 

Slow Motion - Produced by Conny Plank

I don’t believe Lillywhite had anything to do with The Dream Is Over. The song started out called The King’s New Clothes and was said to have been performed under that name in 1979. The name was changed and a demo was cut in early 1980. Lillywhite was brought in for the Boy sessions around 6 months later. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

I don’t believe Lillywhite had anything to do with The Dream Is Over. The song started out called The King’s New Clothes and was said to have been performed under that name in 1979. The name was changed and a demo was cut in early 1980. Lillywhite was brought in for the Boy sessions around 6 months later. 

Thanks. Interesting. Lillywhite had to know of its existence in developing the Boy album. Maybe the band were done with it. Would have loved to have seen a fully produced Lillywhite version of it. Would have made Boy a better album IMHO. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(178) > #278 - Boomerang II

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 218/218 - No. Really. Not every experimental thought needs to be recorded and released, especially if you’re considering it to be part two to another throwaway.

Comment - Better than Part 1 but thats not saying much. At last we have lyrics here and its more interesting for a short period of time before it gets boring. To listen to both boomerangs back to back is hard going. Funny how vulture.com have the Boomerangs last and second last. 

Total Points - 5.64

Rankers - 3

Average Points per rank -1.88 (Approximately a 231st rank). 

Ranks 297th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 218

Lowest Rank - 266

Previous Rank - 178 > 278

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - The first song with 3 rankers. We don’t see another one until 262 when that song gets 4 awful rankings. Last time round Boomerang I rated lower. This time Boomerang II for some reason has one less ranker then Boomerang I. If you rank one, you rank both i would have thought. Nobody likes it no matter what, just more rankers lifting it from the bottom 10.

 

[krista4]

(158) > #279 - Jesus Christ

(178) > #278 - Boomerang II

Feels like the #### end of the countdown is getting ####tier.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Next Up we have a basic cover of a classic song and 2 Passengers songs.....might be best to come back in a couple of days lol

In the middle we see a track from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb with the word Woman in the title. In an odd quirk it is not the song with most ranks in the top 50 with the word Woman in the title. The other “Woman” song only has 3 votes, but 2 are top 50 votes. We will not see it for quite awhile.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Just bookmarking our #232 song.

It only has one ranker. I had never heard of it. It is not on anarchys list of leftovers. Its not even on the comprehensive u2 songs website. It seems a genuine u2 song, not a spurious one. There is almost no reference online to it, but a youtube link of the song. I actually enjoy the song too. Our one ranker put it at #69 out of 210

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(Unranked) > #281 - The Dream is Over

My favorite so far, and that includes the ones we have seen from 150-141. This is U2 sounding as new wave as possible. As far as early U2 songs go this isnt bad at all. Chugs along nicely with some early new wave flair. Give me this over half of Boy anyday. It reminded of the early Ultravox fronted by John Foxx. The first Ultravox! album in 1977 was produced by future U2 producers Brian Eno and Steve Lillywhite in one of his first projects. Even if Lillywhite and Eno had no influence on this song, the Ultravox! Link cements the sound. Its not without fault, but the leap from punk to early new wave is heard here......2 years after Ultravox! Lol. I probably bump this 20 spots from where I actually ranked it by now

Anarchy99 comment

A highly quality demo recording from 1979. Sounds like you would expect early, early U2 to sound. It was performed 12 times in 79/80. Not officially released. Dublin - 1980-02-26

Total Points - 5.30

Rankers - 1

One and only rank 147

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 281

No special version requested

I like this!!  (No shock)  Sounds bit like a combo of Touch and Out of Control.   

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(111) - > #141 - If You Wear That Velvet Dress

Vulture.com ranking and comment -98/218 - One of the more successful numbers on Pop, it’s full of simple but interesting textures; but like most of the songs on the album, it occupies a middle ground that’s vague and tentative. “It wanted to be a lounge classic,” Bono said. He finally got his wish when he recorded it with Jools Holland in 2007. Yes, Holland is a skilled bandleader, but the vocals are Bono in full torch-singer mode.

Comment - This is a snoozefest. Of more interest to me is the similarity in rankings to Elvis Presley and America. The same two of us have it ranked real low, while the same two have it high. This time the top ranking switches to the other ranker. Vulture is much more in line with their thinking this time.

Total Points - 102.81

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 14.68 (Approximately a 72nd rank). 

Ranks 147th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 25

Lowest Rank - 207

Previous Rank - 111 > 141

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Has one top 25 ranking and 4 others in the back half of the top 100. It drops noticeably in rankings as its 2 biggest backers last time either didnt include it or dropped it noticeably. 

I would swap this with North Star.   Oof, this song is just brutally dull. 

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(158) > #279 - Jesus Christ

Comment - Bono doesnt have the chops to do this justice.Musically it works well. Just needs a better vocalist

Total Points - 5.49

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 2.75 (Approximately a 195th rank). 

Ranks 280th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 182

Lowest Rank - 223

Previous Rank - 158 > 279

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - This song had a strong backer last time elevating it to #158. They didnt rank it this time and it plummets....maybe the most of any song. Its a lot more fun listening this time around,  but not quite there. 

Huh.  I actually like this song.   It’s not great, really not even good.  But it probably would fall  in the 120-140 range for me.  Would rank it above much of the new stuff.