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)

[krista4]

(Unranked) > #271 - Speed of Life

This made my first cut, and I do like it but ultimately felt a bit like your commentary that it needed more.  Wish this had been fleshed out and made into something.

(Unranked) > #269 - Be There

Didn't make my initial cut; too much of a mess even though it had some promise.

(Unranked) - > #138 - Slug

Probably should have included this one.  Good stuff.

 

[krista4]

(Unranked) > #270- Jack in the Box

I didn’t rank this one. When i got to this one I was trying to limit the amount of songs from Anarchys list and skipped over this one after a couple of listens. Why I listed songs like Trevor, Bang a Gong and Cartoon World,  but not listing this one is a mistake in hindsight. Thankfully one ranker did and all the way up at 108. From now on the solo ranked songs land by their individual rankers at 103, 93, 91, 74, 70, 54 and 39. 3 of them are mine. Where they land on the overall list remains to be seen. 

Anarchy99 comment

An oldie but a goodie from the pre Boy / Three era. Some say it was first developed in 1978, others in 1980. It's listed as having been performed live 5 times in that time frame. Sounds like a prototypical post punk U2 song. Not officially released

Total Points - 7.10

Rankers - 1

Highest and only rank - 108

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 270

No special version requested

  I'm finally on the board!  This one was my pick, though it ended up as my 108th of 115 songs.  It's not full or complete-sounding, but there's a lot of fun post-punk sound in there for me.  I like Bono's vocal on it, as unpolished as it is.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

I didn't realize we were adding in the other Passengers tracks.  Love this one.  There are a couple of clunkers on that album, but not Slug.   You can really hear the Brian Eno influence on this track.  Creates a great atmosphere. 

All the Passengers songs were on the list from anarchy99, but as long as U2, all good. Unlike some already listed, this involves all 4 members of U2

I was still a bit uneasy about adding Passengers stuff, but made an exception for Slug (In addition to Your Blue Room and Miss Sarajevo)

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #268- Dancin’ Shoes

I didn’t rank this one. Truth is Adam, The Edge and Larry had nothing to do with it. Its Bonos movie project and a song featuring his band. This is another track that shouldnt be eligible. Maybe one or two to go like this. 

Anarchy99 comment

From The Million Dollar Hotel: Music from the Motion Picture soundtrack from 2000. Doesn't sound like Bono singing, but it is. Officially released.

Total Points - 7.10

Rankers - 1

Highest and only rank - 103

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 268

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(155) > #267 - Don’t Take Your Guns to Town

Comment - An interesting choice of Covers, with Johnny Cash getting the treatment here. Bono singing understated is always more fun for me. Hows this? I love the vocals here. Surprising that I have this the highest, while the ranker who loves the covers has it lowest. 

Total Points - 7.75

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 3.88 (Approximately a 173rd rank). 

Ranks 263rd on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 138

Lowest Rank - 220

Previous Rank - (155) > 267

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - Only has two rankers, with me having the highest. I still stand by comments and my interest in this song is still strong. Not normal U2, but I like them leaving their comfort zone.....sometimes. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #266 - Your Song Saved My Life

This is the newest song to the list and its lack of familiarity means only 2 of us added it. It is possible I like this more with a few listens, but as of right now I find it mediocre. Maybe watching the movie would help?

Anarchy99 comment

The latest official entry in the U2 catalog, a song from the Sing 2 contract that was released at the end of 2021.

Total Points - 7.81

Rankers - 2

Highest rank - 133

Lowest Rank - 227

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 267

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(195) - > #137 - Hallelujah Here She Comes

Vulture.com comment and ranking - 66/218 - A little bit of Irish gospel that didn’t make the cut, but it has bones! The organ in the background, courtesy of none other than Billy Preston, should have elevated this track off of the cutting-room floor, but, alas. “Born and raised on the wrong side of town / You get so high you can’t come down,” Bono sings. It is evocative and memorable.

Comment - Another track not good enough to be an album track. A bit more interesting, but its lack of quality shines through. Still it has to be better than something on Rattle and Hum? Obviously not as we haven’t seen anything from that album yet

Total Points - 109.60

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 15.58 (Approximately a 69th rank). 

Ranks 142nd on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 16

Lowest Rank - 202

Previous Rank - 195 > 137

Special version requested - Best of edit (Linked Above)

Ranking Comments - Has a #16 ranking which lifts it from where it landed last time. 2 other entries between 50 and 100 and a few further down land it higher than it deserves, 

 

[krista4]

(Unranked) > #268- Dancin’ Shoes

Oh my, this might be my least favorite so far.  That vocal.   

(155) > #267 - Don’t Take Your Guns to Town

Didn't make my first cut, but pleasant enough.  I enjoy the synth sound, but to me overall the song is lacking energy.

(Unranked) > #266 - Your Song Saved My Life

Also didn't make my first cut, but it's OK.  Might be better if I knew what "Sing 2" was, other than assuming it is a sequel to "Sing."  But then I'd need to know what "Sing" was.

(195) - > #137 - Hallelujah Here She Comes

Didn't make my first cut, but on repeated listen right now I can see why people enjoy it.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

(195) - > #137 - Hallelujah Here She Comes

Vulture.com comment and ranking - 66/218 - A little bit of Irish gospel that didn’t make the cut, but it has bones! The organ in the background, courtesy of none other than Billy Preston, should have elevated this track off of the cutting-room floor, but, alas. “Born and raised on the wrong side of town / You get so high you can’t come down,” Bono sings. It is evocative and memorable.

Comment - Another track not good enough to be an album track. A bit more interesting, but its lack of quality shines through. Still it has to be better than something on Rattle and Hum? Obviously not as we haven’t seen anything from that album yet

Total Points - 109.60

Rankers - 7

Average Points per rank - 15.58 (Approximately a 69th rank). 

Ranks 142nd on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 16

Lowest Rank - 202

Previous Rank - 195 > 137

Special version requested - Best of edit (Linked Above)

Ranking Comments - Has a #16 ranking which lifts it from where it landed last time. 2 other entries between 50 and 100 and a few further down land it higher than it deserves, 

I had this at 77. If they had put it on RAH instead of one of the meh tracks, that would have been fine. They didn’t, and that’s fine too.

I have always liked Bono’s vocal, especially the “higher, higher, higher on love” bits.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

I had this at 77. If they had put it on RAH instead of one of the meh tracks, that would have been fine. They didn’t, and that’s fine too.

I have always liked Bono’s vocal, especially the “higher, higher, higher on love” bits.

Yeah, I botched things by not ranking this one. Should have been on my list.  I really enjoy it, particularly what Pip called out as well as the “I’m gonna be there…..”

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #265 - The Fool

Sounds similar to the Dream is Over, but this one is Not as tight. More punkier. Starts good, but then runs for over 4 minutes. Lacks direction and production. Interesting though

Anarchy99 comment

Another demo track, this one from 1978. It's one of their earliest recordings, thought to be from their second ever recording session. Not officially released. .

Total Points - 8.00

Rankers - 2

Highest rank - 146

Lowest Rank - 192

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 265

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #264 - Wild Irish Rose

Just boring. Harmless enough. But boring. Keep waiting for it to go somewhere. Tedious really.

Anarchy99 comment

Originally an outtake from RAH in 1988, the song ended up in the indie music film The Roots Of Irish Rock. Not officially released.

Total Points - 8.23

Rankers - 2

Highest rank - 129

Lowest Rank - 216

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 264

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #263 - Beach Sequence

More ambient stuff from the Passengers. Has two rankers, neither from me. At least Corpse and Elvis Ate America were different and entertaining in their own way. This one is eminently forgettable.

Anarchy99 comment

Another track from the Original Soundtracks 1 album in 1995, this time a moody instrumental. Officially released

Total Points - 9.00

Rankers - 2

Highest rank - 149

Lowest Rank - 171

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 263

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(222) - > #262 - J Swallo

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 215/218 - They needed a B-side for “Fire.” “It was done in a mad panic,” the Edge notes. “It was a case of two hours to go, let’s do it.” It sounds like that.

Comment - A b side to an october single is gonna be pretty bad. Expectations lowered. Pretty bad. It’s good that U2 put effort into new material for a B Side, rather than an instrumental of the a side or an album track. 

Total Points - 9.08

Rankers - 4

Average Points per rank - 2.27(Approximately a 212nd rank). 

Ranks 291st on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 185

Lowest Rank - 277

Previous Rank - 222 > 262

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - This deserves to be near the bottom,  but because 4 people have it on the list we dont get to it until about 50 deep. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(223) > #261 - Neon Lights

Comment -  Another B- Side, Another Cover. The highest ranking is once again is mine. Purely because the song deserves better. A lot of my fave bands have had a chop at this song including Simple Minds and more impressively OMD. OMD have more in common with Kraftwerk than U2 and U3. The Simple Minds version is pretty tragic. The U2 version may be fractionally better, but its a low bar. Neglects to put all the build up in and tries to just have the same pace and make it work. OMD at least roped in a female vocalist to give it the gentle edge it needs. Sledgehammer Boneo tries to restrain himself but it doesnt work.

Total Points - 9.14

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 4.57

Highest Rank - 115

Lowest Rank - 208

Previous Rank - (223) > 261

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - Only has two rankers, with me having the highest. Let’s move on

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #260 - My Hometown

Most U2 covers seem superfluous and unnecesaary. Not this one. It is sung with meaning and passion to their home crowd. If we nitpick, sure it doesn’t offer much different to the Springsteen original, but the heart is in the right place and its performed well. I have ranked this in my top 100 as it impresses me significantly

Anarchy99 comment

Yep . . . U2 plays Springsteen. And their hometown is Dublin, which is where this was performed on 1985-06-29. This is the only performance of this song. One of the last songs I would ever think the boys would take on. They do a decent job IMO. Not officially released.

Total Points - 9.50

Rankers - 1

Highest and only rank - 93

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 260

No special version requested

 

[krista4]

(Unranked) > #265 - The Fool

This made it through my first cut, but didn't make my list as it was just too "demo-y."  I do tend toward this early post-punk style from them, though.

(Unranked) > #264 - Wild Irish Rose

Meh.

(Unranked) > #263 - Beach Sequence

Meh to infinity.

(222) - > #262 - J Swallo

Ranking Comments - This deserves to be near the bottom,  but because 4 people have it on the list we dont get to it until about 50 deep. 

Why yes, yes it does.

(223) > #261 - Neon Lights

Not terrible, but not great.

(Unranked) > #260 - My Hometown

Didn't make my first cut, mostly because I can't stand Bruce.  

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(179) - > #136 - Night and Day

Comment - At least they are trying a different interpretaion. Doesnt work, but hey ho. Better that than a note for note boring cover like some here.

Total Points - 113.17

Rankers - 5

Average Points per rank - 22.63 (Approximately a 55th rank). 

Ranks 95th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 9

Lowest Rank - 209

Previous Rank - 179 > 136

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Only has 3 rankings in the top 100, one just inside the top 100. The big revelation is one of our more “controversial” rankers put it as high as #9. Our first top 10 entry to date. 

 

[krista4]

(179) - > #136 - Night and Day

Wow at the #9 ranking!

I played the hell out of the Red Hot + Blue album way back when I was a lass.  Loved many songs on there.  This one, not so much.  At least it's interesting.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

(222) - > #262 - J Swallo

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 215/218 - They needed a B-side for “Fire.” “It was done in a mad panic,” the Edge notes. “It was a case of two hours to go, let’s do it.” It sounds like that.

Comment - A b side to an october single is gonna be pretty bad. Expectations lowered. Pretty bad. It’s good that U2 put effort into new material for a B Side, rather than an instrumental of the a side or an album track. 

Total Points - 9.08

Rankers - 4

Average Points per rank - 2.27(Approximately a 212nd rank). 

Ranks 291st on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 185

Lowest Rank - 277

Previous Rank - 222 > 262

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - This deserves to be near the bottom,  but because 4 people have it on the list we dont get to it until about 50 deep. 

Awful. All that grief that was given to Boomerang II should have gone to this. It's just aimless, slightly pretentious nonsense. 

 

[Pip's Invitation]

(179) - > #136 - Night and Day

Comment - At least they are trying a different interpretaion. Doesnt work, but hey ho. Better that than a note for note boring cover like some here.

Total Points - 113.17

Rankers - 5

Average Points per rank - 22.63 (Approximately a 55th rank). 

Ranks 95th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 9

Lowest Rank - 209

Previous Rank - 179 > 136

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Only has 3 rankings in the top 100, one just inside the top 100. The big revelation is one of our more “controversial” rankers put it as high as #9. Our first top 10 entry to date. 

I must be second-highest because I had it at 59, which is not #9 and is not just inside the top 100. It is my second-favorite U2 cover. I explained why I like it back when it appeared on the first countdown: https://forums.footballguys.com/topic/799927-u2-community-rankings-308-260-150-136-revealed-covers-we’ve-got-covers-today-bruce-kraftwerk-cole-porter/?do=findComment&comment=23642784

 

[krista4]

I must be second-highest because I had it at 59, which is not #9 and is not just inside the top 100.

Check out Encyclopedia Brown over here!

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(223) > #261 - Neon Lights

Comment -  Another B- Side, Another Cover. The highest ranking is once again is mine. Purely because the song deserves better. A lot of my fave bands have had a chop at this song including Simple Minds and more impressively OMD. OMD have more in common with Kraftwerk than U2 and U3. The Simple Minds version is pretty tragic. The U2 version may be fractionally better, but its a low bar. Neglects to put all the build up in and tries to just have the same pace and make it work. OMD at least roped in a female vocalist to give it the gentle edge it needs. Sledgehammer Boneo tries to restrain himself but it doesnt work.

Total Points - 9.14

Rankers - 2

Average Points per rank - 4.57

Highest Rank - 115

Lowest Rank - 208

Previous Rank - (223) > 261

No special version requested

Ranking Comments - Only has two rankers, with me having the highest. Let’s move on

Really boring

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(Unranked) > #265 - The Fool

Sounds similar to the Dream is Over, but this one is Not as tight. More punkier. Starts good, but then runs for over 4 minutes. Lacks direction and production. Interesting though

Anarchy99 comment

Another demo track, this one from 1978. It's one of their earliest recordings, thought to be from their second ever recording session. Not officially released. .

Total Points - 8.00

Rankers - 2

Highest rank - 146

Lowest Rank - 192

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 265

No special version requested

Pretty scattered.  Decent sound.  Bono has no idea what he’s doing on this one.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Awful. All that grief that was given to Boomerang II should have gone to this. It's just aimless, slightly pretentious nonsense. 

Spot on!!

 

[Alex P Keaton]

(Unranked) > #260 - My Hometown

Most U2 covers seem superfluous and unnecesaary. Not this one. It is sung with meaning and passion to their home crowd. If we nitpick, sure it doesn’t offer much different to the Springsteen original, but the heart is in the right place and its performed well. I have ranked this in my top 100 as it impresses me significantly

Anarchy99 comment

Yep . . . U2 plays Springsteen. And their hometown is Dublin, which is where this was performed on 1985-06-29. This is the only performance of this song. One of the last songs I would ever think the boys would take on. They do a decent job IMO. Not officially released.

Total Points - 9.50

Rankers - 1

Highest and only rank - 93

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 260

No special version requested

@krista4 no love for the boss?  Even this song?   I get it why some folks aren’t captivated by Springsteen, but some of his more deeply personal songs draw me in.  This is one of them.  It’s an ok cover, but IMO this isn’t a Bruce song that should be performed by anyone else.

 

[Gr00vus]

(179) - > #136 - Night and Day

Comment - At least they are trying a different interpretaion. Doesnt work, but hey ho. Better that than a note for note boring cover like some here.

Total Points - 113.17

Rankers - 5

Average Points per rank - 22.63 (Approximately a 55th rank). 

Ranks 95th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 9

Lowest Rank - 209

Previous Rank - 179 > 136

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Only has 3 rankings in the top 100, one just inside the top 100. The big revelation is one of our more “controversial” rankers put it as high as #9. Our first top 10 entry to date. 

one of?

I really like the atmosphere and sonic engineering of this one. It creates a brooding, malevolent longing feel that fit my mood too often when this was released. I also like the rhythm track, particularly the muted percussion, and the synth washes.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

one of?

There are some songs in peoples top 10s that will be incredulous to most. One off’s are not so bad. 

There is one song that has a top 5 entry, another top 10, a 12 ranking and 4 others in the top 25. 4 more in the top 50 (11 in total). It also has 5 rankings between 51 and 75. Only one other ranking lower than 75. 

Most people will be shocked that this song attracted 17 rankings out of 40 rankers. 16 of these rankings were inside the the 75. This will make some people throw up.

It lands at #51.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #259 - Soon

Channeled the new direction after the disastrous NLOH. This is failry basic and stripped back. It can take a little while to get into and deserves a higher ranking. I had the lowest ranking here and would probably bump it 20 spots on my own rankings upon another listen.

Anarchy99 comment

Soon was a track developed for use on No Line on the Horizon, and it was one of a handful of songs held for use on what was to be called Songs of Ascent. When the U2360 tour debuted in Barcelona in 2009, the first show on the tour opened with this piece of music. The song was listed as Kingdom Intro on set lists, referred to as Kingdom of Your Love throughout the tour, and eventually was released in the deluxe version of the U2 from the Rose Bowl video as a 7-Inch single called Soon. Officially released.

Total Points - 9.51

Rankers - 3

Highest rank - 151

Lowest Rank - 218

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 259

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(220) - > #258 - Boomerang I

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 217/218 - I like the idea of U2 trying to be the Talking Heads, but not all of these experimentations needed to be recorded or released. (It is fun to sing the chorus of “Psycho Killer” to it, though.)

Comment - Actually ranked 226 by 2 of us. The 123 ranking lifts it from the bottom. After reading the Vulture comment I want to listen to it and try the Psycho Killer thing. 

Total Points - 9.61

Rankers - 4

Average Points per rank - 2.40 (Approximately a 205th rank). 

Ranks 288th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 167

Lowest Rank - 274

Previous Rank - 220 > 258

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Same comment as J Swallo lol.

This deserves to be near the bottom,  but because 4 people have it on the list we dont get to it until about 50 deep. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #257 - Near the Island

Such a lovely instrumental. It reminds me of the lovely Queen song “Is this the World we created” without the words. I Can hear the Lanois influence. Is it sad that i bought multiple Daniel Lanois albums and enjoyed them?

Anarchy99 comment

An instrumental recorded in the AB era, it sat in the vault for a while and was originally called Near the Island / Night Train from Rostock. Many years later, it was added to the 30th anniversary release of the AB album as a bonus track. Sounds like it could be by any other band . . . not bad, just not very U2 sounding.

Total Points - 9.90

Rankers - 2

Highest rank - 112

Lowest Rank - 191

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 257

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(227) - > #256 - Landlady

Comment - First song from an album, and their most recent one at that In Songs of Experience. This is really bad. Supposed to be a love letter from Bono to his wife. She should make him sleep on the couch. It’s cringeworthy and an embarrassment. It has the lowest place highest rank of any song on this list. 

Total Points - 9.97

Rankers - 4

Average Points per rank - 2.49(Approximately a 200th rank). 

Ranks 286th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 167

Lowest Rank - 284

Previous Rank - 227 > 256

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - This song rises from second last to here. The 167 ranking helps, as does its 4 votes. Song has not improved one iota

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #255 - The Model feat Seu Jorge

Not great sound on this, but i have to include a(nother) Kraftwerk cover. Basically the lyrics of the Model with the Girl from ipanema sounding music. Interesting to say the least, but others probably wont enjoy. 

Anarchy99 comment

Live cover of a song from Kraftwerk in Sao Paulo - 2011-04-13. Only performance of the song. Not officially released.

Total Points - 10

Rankers - 1

Highest and only rank - 91

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 255

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(174) - > #135 - Luminous Times (Hold on to Love)

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 41/218 - Dominated by piano and percussion, it’s another one of the ecstatic odes to one’s beloved that was the undercurrent during the Joshua Tree studio sessions. It feels improvisational, but that’s more due to the stream-of-consciousness vocal style Bono adopts in the service of mirroring the breathlessness of the lyrics. It’s a moment.

Comment - This would have comfortably fit on most u2 albums but not good enough for joshua tree. 

Total Points - 113.99

Rankers - 8

Average Points per rank - 14.25 (Approximately a 73rd rank). 

Ranks 153rd on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 39

Lowest Rank - 203

Previous Rank - 174 > 135

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Has 4 rankings in the top 100 and the rest sprinkled throughout. Jumped significantly from last time.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

(174) - > #135 - Luminous Times (Hold on to Love)

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 41/218 - Dominated by piano and percussion, it’s another one of the ecstatic odes to one’s beloved that was the undercurrent during the Joshua Tree studio sessions. It feels improvisational, but that’s more due to the stream-of-consciousness vocal style Bono adopts in the service of mirroring the breathlessness of the lyrics. It’s a moment.

Comment - This would have comfortably fit on most u2 albums but not good enough for joshua tree. 

Total Points - 113.99

Rankers - 8

Average Points per rank - 14.25 (Approximately a 73rd rank). 

Ranks 153rd on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 39

Lowest Rank - 203

Previous Rank - 174 > 135

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Has 4 rankings in the top 100 and the rest sprinkled throughout. Jumped significantly from last time.

Many of the Joshua Tree B-sides would have been standout tracks on other albums. This is one. They really had something magical going on at the time.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

(220) - > #258 - Boomerang I

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 217/218 - I like the idea of U2 trying to be the Talking Heads, but not all of these experimentations needed to be recorded or released. (It is fun to sing the chorus of “Psycho Killer” to it, though.)

Comment - Actually ranked 226 by 2 of us. The 123 ranking lifts it from the bottom. After reading the Vulture comment I want to listen to it and try the Psycho Killer thing. 

Total Points - 9.61

Rankers - 4

Average Points per rank - 2.40 (Approximately a 205th rank). 

Ranks 288th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 167

Lowest Rank - 274

Previous Rank - 220 > 258

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Same comment as J Swallo lol.

This deserves to be near the bottom,  but because 4 people have it on the list we dont get to it until about 50 deep. 

The link says "video unavailable". At least to those of us in the US.

I got this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=craFXQ28mY4 to work for me.

It's a pleasant, slightly funky instrumental (I can definitely see the TH comparison). I don't see why there needs to be any sort of outcry about its existence. 

 

[Alex P Keaton]

There are some songs in peoples top 10s that will be incredulous to most. One off’s are not so bad. 

There is one song that has a top 5 entry, another top 10, a 12 ranking and 4 others in the top 25. 4 more in the top 50 (11 in total). It also has 5 rankings between 51 and 75. Only one other ranking lower than 75. 

Most people will be shocked that this song attracted 17 rankings out of 40 rankers. 16 of these rankings were inside the the 75. This will make some people throw up.

It lands at #51.

“This will make some people throw up”

Can’t wait!!   Really hope it is something truly classic like Red Flag Day.  (Joking)

 

[krista4]

@krista4 no love for the boss?  Even this song?   I get it why some folks aren’t captivated by Springsteen, but some of his more deeply personal songs draw me in.  This is one of them.  It’s an ok cover, but IMO this isn’t a Bruce song that should be performed by anyone else.

If I were going to like a Bruce song, this would be one of the contenders.  But I won't, on principle.   

 

[krista4]

(Unranked) > #259 - Soon

There's something about this one that greatly disturbs my ears.

(220) - > #258 - Boomerang I

Tried the "Psycho Killer" thing.  It works. 

This song, on the other hand, doesn't.  At all.

(Unranked) > #257 - Near the Island

This really is lovely.  Didn't include it on my list as just not sounding like U2, but that was a stupid reason.

(227) - > #256 - Landlady

Supposed to be a love letter from Bono to his wife. She should make him sleep on the couch.

    Didn't make my first cut, but I don't find it as bad as all that.

(Unranked) > #255 - The Model feat Seu Jorge

I actually quite liked this one, but didn't include it on my list because it was just one live performance.  I think I might have included another song that was just from one live performance, though, so apparently I'm dumb.

 

[krista4]

8 hours ago, John Maddens Lunchbox said:
(174) - > #135 - Luminous Times (Hold on to Love)

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 41/218 - Dominated by piano and percussion, it’s another one of the ecstatic odes to one’s beloved that was the undercurrent during the Joshua Tree studio sessions. It feels improvisational, but that’s more due to the stream-of-consciousness vocal style Bono adopts in the service of mirroring the breathlessness of the lyrics. It’s a moment.

Comment - This would have comfortably fit on most u2 albums but not good enough for joshua tree. 

Total Points - 113.99

Rankers - 8

Average Points per rank - 14.25 (Approximately a 73rd rank). 

Ranks 153rd on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 39

Lowest Rank - 203

Previous Rank - 174 > 135

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - Has 4 rankings in the top 100 and the rest sprinkled throughout. Jumped significantly from last time.
Expand  

Many of the Joshua Tree B-sides would have been standout tracks on other albums. This is one. They really had something magical going on at the time.

#82 on my list.  Love Bono's performance on this.  The vocal going from a whisper to a growl to a shout helps make it such a terrific build.  Frenetic drums throughout are fabulous, too.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

It's a pleasant, slightly funky instrumental (I can definitely see the TH comparison). I don't see why there needs to be any sort of outcry about its existence. 

Im sort of mellowing to the Boomerang songs, but the back story about being rushed and forced doesn’t help. The vulture comments are needlessly vitriolic. After listing to some of these songs on the back 50, i am softening on the Boomerangs

“This will make some people throw up”

Can’t wait!!   Really hope it is something truly classic like Red Flag Day.  (Joking)

Wrong century.

Without giving too much away it benefits significantly from not having every song ranked by people. Last time it was punished by a few rankers. Those that love this song, get the full upside in the ranking. Those that hate it, left it off their lists.

Here’s a hint. It was on your list, but not Mrs APKs

This really is lovely.  Didn't include it on my list as just not sounding like U2, but that was a stupid reason..

I actually quite liked this one, but didn't include it on my list because it was just one live performance.  I think I might have included another song that was just from one live performance, though, so apparently I'm dumb.

A beautiful instrumental like Near the Island should be cherished, but its hard to find a place for it on an album. Especially Achtung Baby. As U2 is a very lyrical band, no lyrics isn’t what the audience is used to. Shame, as its really a lovely break at this stage of the rankings

As for the Model, In retrospective some of my decision making is questionable on the anarchy songs. Impossible to rank them all though so cut yourself some slack. 

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Bono and The Edge performed today in a metro station in Kyiv. Reportedly Desire, Sunday Bloody Sunday, With or Without You, and Stand By Me were among the songs they did. Good on them. 

 

[Anarchy99]

Bono and The Edge performed today in a metro station in Kyiv. Reportedly Desire, Sunday Bloody Sunday, With or Without You, and Stand By Me were among the songs they did. Good on them. 

Sunday Bloody Sunday
Vertigo
Desire
Stand By Me
Angel Of Harlem
With Or Without You
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Stand By Me
Walk On

Forty minute acoustic set at a subway station now used as a bomb shelter. The setlist I saw had Stand By Me twice. 

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(149) > #254 - No Line on the Horizon 2

Comment - In hindsight this should have been excluded. Its basically a remix of the title track of the album of the same name. Rates lower because of that. If they had called it “No Line on the Horizon (Itchy Remix)” = excluded. We definitely did not want to open this up to Remixes. 65 minutes of listening to Lemon remixes is not want we want to be doing. 

Total Points - 10.1

Rankers - 3

Average Points per rank - 3.37 

Highest Rank - 128

Lowest Rank - 285

Previous Rank - 149 > 254

No special version requested

Rankings Comments - i stuck this way down the bottom of mine. It shouldnt be eligible, but we are sort of stuck with it. As far as remixes go, its actually quite good. More dancey than the title track of the horrible album

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #253 - Always Forever Now

Another Passengers number. This one seems more popular than some of the dredge, but I cant tell much difference between this one and those. Forgettable. I didnt rank. To save repeating myself i only voted for Slug, Your Blue Room and Miss Sarajevo from the Passengers.

Anarchy99 comment

Another ambient instrumental track from the Original Soundtracks 1 collaboration in 1995. The album sounds like a bunch of unfinished songs that bridged Zooropa and Pop. Officially released.

Total Points - 10.15

Rankers - 2

Highest rank 115

Lowest Rank 183

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 253

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(226) > #252 - Sixty Seconds in Kingdom Comes

Vulture.com Ranking and Comment - 200/218 - More outtakes dug out of of the pile in service of filling 12-inch singles.

Comment - As the Vulture comment illustrates this is included on the longer form of the Unforgettable Fire single. It really is useless and not worth a repeated listen.

Total Points - 10.15

Rankers - 4

Average Points per rank - 2.59 (Approximately a 198th rank). 

Ranks 283rd on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 177

Lowest Rank - 237

Previous Rank - 226 > 252

No special version requested

Rankings Comments - 4 below average votes means it ends up here. After some of ive listened to for this round, this doesnt seem as bad in hindsight. Just plods along not hurting anyone

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(Unranked) > #251 - Angels Too Tied to the Ground

Doesnt sound finished. Pleasant enough, but really is just a time filler. From the War sessions so has nice Piano work and Bono yodelling. All 3 voters roughly have it in the same area. Interesting, unfinished and ok.

Anarchy99 comment

Bonus track added to the War album in 2008. Originally recorded in 1983 but unfinished. Modified and vocals added when the band remastered their original albums and released extended versions with added tracks. Some interesting runs on piano but a relatively mellow song compared to the main album. Officially released.

Total Points - 10.55

Rankers - 3

Highest rank 158

Lowest Rank 195

Previous Rank - (Unranked) > 251

No special version requested

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(169) > #250 - Things to Make and Do

Vulture.com ranking and comment - It’s a sweet, little, surf-guitar-flavored instrumental which showed up as the B-side of the “A Day Without Me” single.

Comment - At least its not an irritating b side. Musically interesting.

Total Points - 11.15

Rankers - 3

Average Points per rank - 3.72 (Approximately a 176th rank). 

Ranks 266th on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 166

Lowest Rank - 192

Previous Rank - 160 > 250

No special version requested

Rankings Comments - 3 votes all roughly the same. Its an ok instrumental. Has the odd edge flourish to lift it from mediocrity.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

(118) - > #134 - Your Blue Room

Vulture.com ranking and comment - 62/218 - Gorgeously twisted, it’s a mix of “Space Oddity” and Blue Velvet. They actually tried playing it in stadiums a half-dozen or so times on the 360° tour, which is insane to even consider.

Comment - I enjoy this song. Its better in the context of the Passengers album. As a stand alone U2 track its not as effective. I thought for sure my ranking just inside the top 100 would be the highest, but its not. 

Total Points - 114.95

Rankers - 6

Average Points per rank - 19.16 (Approximately a 63rd rank). 

Ranks 122nd on average points per ranker

Highest Rank - 38

Lowest Rank - 141

Previous Rank - 118 > 134

Special version requested - None

Ranking Comments - 5 of the 6 rankings are inside the top 100. It a gorgeous little tune. Very atmospheric and introspective. Doesnt sound like normal U2, but it works well. 

 

[krista4]

(149) > #254 - No Line on the Horizon 2

(Unranked) > #253 - Always Forever Now

(226) > #252 - Sixty Seconds in Kingdom Comes

(Unranked) > #251 - Angels Too Tied to the Ground

(169) > #250 - Things to Make and Do

(118) - > #134 - Your Blue Room

Uncle!   UNCLE!  

I'm releasing myself from my self-imposed commitment to comment on every song.  None of these made my first cut, and I've nothing to say about them.