John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
Next up, our last one before the top 10. On our last go around, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For occupied this spot. Does an entry fall out of the top 10 and land here?
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U2 - Community rankings - FIN - #4 Sunday Bloody Sunday, #3 - One, #2 - Bad, #1 - Where the Streets Have No Name -Spotify links, thanks to Krista4 (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter John Maddens Lunchbox
- Start date
krista4
Footballguy
Since I had Beautiful Day at #31, I'll let someone else make the case for it. I did rank it too low and should have had it top 25 at least. With that one gone, "One" is now my lowest ranked at #23, and I like Beautiful Day much better than One, so wtf I was thinking is a mystery.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I was one of the 3 votes worse than 32 on Beautiful Day (39). I think I mentioned some of the reasons why it didn't click with me in here before. My biggest issue since the song came out is that I would hear it when I was usually having an otherwise crappy day. Ten below zero out, one of the kids totaled one of the cars, mother in the hospital and near death. While making the long drive to see mom in the one remaining vehicle, the heat conked out. And then Beautiful Day came on the radio. (That actually happened.) The song lost points for situations like that.
But I actually had two very memorable experiences involving both of my wives (and there are no other instances like that that I can think of). I drove down to Key West from Miami with each of them (many years apart). The weather, the scenery, etc. was fantastic when the song came on the radio while driving through the Florida Keys. The song gained points for situations like that. Sure, the song is partly about having a good day on a bad day and being happy with what you have . . . but sometimes that isn't possible. But to the song's credit, those are three vivid memories all involving the same song.
Unfortunately, there were more memories like the first category than the second category for me, so that dragged the song down in my rankings. It's not the song's fault, but we like what we like for any number of reasons. I obviously don't hate the song, but for me, there are plenty of other U2 songs I would happily listen to over this one. And I will determine for myself what kind of day I am having, thank you very much.
But I actually had two very memorable experiences involving both of my wives (and there are no other instances like that that I can think of). I drove down to Key West from Miami with each of them (many years apart). The weather, the scenery, etc. was fantastic when the song came on the radio while driving through the Florida Keys. The song gained points for situations like that. Sure, the song is partly about having a good day on a bad day and being happy with what you have . . . but sometimes that isn't possible. But to the song's credit, those are three vivid memories all involving the same song.
Unfortunately, there were more memories like the first category than the second category for me, so that dragged the song down in my rankings. It's not the song's fault, but we like what we like for any number of reasons. I obviously don't hate the song, but for me, there are plenty of other U2 songs I would happily listen to over this one. And I will determine for myself what kind of day I am having, thank you very much.
The Dreaded Marco
Footballguy
I had Beautiful Day at 32.
Mr. Landry
Footballguy
I'm the low ranker at #77 and, in retrospect, I can admit that is a bit too low. However, I think I had (have?) a bit too much overload of Beautiful Day. It's a fabulous, well put together song, but I think I just heard it too much when it first came out (wasn't it used endlessly on the Olympic promos?) and it soured me a just a little.
krista4
Footballguy
I think that is why I had it relatively low, too - just overplayed. But I should have put it higher.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
I see what you did there.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
Mysterious Ways = 6
Beautiful Day = 19
One Tree Hill = 20
Mysterious Ways is ridiculously infectious and joyful. The "it's all right, it's all right, it's ALL right" part is one of my favorite passages of any U2 song. I think I like it better now than I did when it came out and was overplayed everywhere.
Beautiful Day is their best post-1991 song. It is also ridiculously infectious and joyful, and showed, as the Achtung material had 9 years earlier, that the band could reinvent itself and still turn out songs of very high quality.
One Tree Hill is one that has grown in stature for me over the years. High school me liked it but considered it kind of an afterthought compared with some of the more in-your-face songs from TJT. As I've gotten older I've been able to better appreciate the emotion behind the song and how well the music complements it.
Beautiful Day = 19
One Tree Hill = 20
Mysterious Ways is ridiculously infectious and joyful. The "it's all right, it's all right, it's ALL right" part is one of my favorite passages of any U2 song. I think I like it better now than I did when it came out and was overplayed everywhere.
Beautiful Day is their best post-1991 song. It is also ridiculously infectious and joyful, and showed, as the Achtung material had 9 years earlier, that the band could reinvent itself and still turn out songs of very high quality.
One Tree Hill is one that has grown in stature for me over the years. High school me liked it but considered it kind of an afterthought compared with some of the more in-your-face songs from TJT. As I've gotten older I've been able to better appreciate the emotion behind the song and how well the music complements it.
krista4
Footballguy
I was looking at what JML said about the movers and shakers this time. He said the song with the biggest move up left in the countdown jumped four spots. So it has to be one of these:
#11 - I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (1987) - move to #7
#10;- Running to Stand Still (1987) - move to #6
#9 - New Year’s Day (1983) - move to #5
#8 - Sunday Bloody Sunday (1983) - move to #4
#7 - With or Without You (1987) - move to #3
#6 - I Will Follow (1980) - move to #2
#5 - Where the Streets Have No Name (1987) - move to #1
So what do y'all guess for the big mover? I'm going with New Year's Day. My second guess would be Running To Stand Still.
#11 - I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (1987) - move to #7
#10;- Running to Stand Still (1987) - move to #6
#9 - New Year’s Day (1983) - move to #5
#8 - Sunday Bloody Sunday (1983) - move to #4
#7 - With or Without You (1987) - move to #3
#6 - I Will Follow (1980) - move to #2
#5 - Where the Streets Have No Name (1987) - move to #1
So what do y'all guess for the big mover? I'm going with New Year's Day. My second guess would be Running To Stand Still.
krista4
Footballguy
Similarly, he said the biggest drop was five spots. That gives us these possibilities:
#6 - I Will Follow (1980) - fall to #11
#5 - Where the Streets Have No Name (1987) - fall to #10
#4 - Pride (In the Name of Love (1984) - fall to #9
#3 - All I Want is You (1988) - fall to #8
#2 - One (1991) - fall to #7
#1 - Bad (1984) - fall to #6
Guesses? My prediction is All I Want is You. but I hope it is One instead.
#6 - I Will Follow (1980) - fall to #11
#5 - Where the Streets Have No Name (1987) - fall to #10
#4 - Pride (In the Name of Love (1984) - fall to #9
#3 - All I Want is You (1988) - fall to #8
#2 - One (1991) - fall to #7
#1 - Bad (1984) - fall to #6
Guesses? My prediction is All I Want is You. but I hope it is One instead.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
No problem. We know what the top 11 are.
Now to throw a rabbit into the mix. The up 4, down 5 thing.
3 songs make that criteria.
With the post I made the other day, I will have spoiled one thing that will become obvious if you pay attention to the next 2 songs.
simey
Footballguy
Biggest movers are Running To Stand Still and I Will Follow.
simey
Footballguy
Biggest faller is All I Want is You.
Grace Under Pressure
Footballguy
I’m at 11 on Beautiful Day. Mostly due to the impact of them being “back, yet again!” when it came out, and also due to the impact of live performances. But probably most of all, I enjoy the impact it has on other people. Especially casual fans. At the shows, when I watched the expression on people’s faces when they recognized the song, and the joy it brought them, that made me happy too. Beautiful Day is part of the shared U2 experience. Don’t let it get away.
The Dreaded Marco
Footballguy
My guess: New Year's Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday are both up 4 to #5 and #4 and All I Want Is You is down 5 to #8.
krista4
Footballguy
We are unanimous on this one so far.
Nemesis
Footballguy
15 Even Better TTRT
Originally conceived in the same R&H session as 1988's "Desire" .
At that time, it was called "The Real Thing"....a play on Coca-Cola's slogan "It's The Real Thing" & was intended as a statement about commercialism
It was shelved & then re-emerged during AB, but the band struggled to make progress in Berlin. It finally came to life when the Edge bought a DigiTech WH-1 Whammy pitch shifter pedal & added the song’s startling whirring-siren intro at two-octaves-up. Ultimately, the finished product is a tour de force of catchy riffery, throbbing energy, culminating in a masterfully constructed slide solo where Edge builds the song’s energy anew, progressing from languid beginnings to a Doppler-effect climax: incidentally, even his slide style is unconventional, given that he plays his slide parts in standard tunings & uses the bottleneck on his middle finger, rather than the more conventional choice of 3rd or 4th.
That iconic video that everyone remembers?
14 Mysterious Ways
song first took shape as a jam-song called "Sick Puppy" during the difficult AB recording sessions. Bono & Lanois argued intensely on the direction..........But at 1 point in the recording session, “Sick Puppy” sparked a creative moment & the resulting deviation went in another direction to become the musical blueprint for the song "One".
U2 the birth of Mysterious Way & ONE in Hansa Studios, Berlin
After working on One, U2 continued to return to the remnants of Sick Puppy to see if they could turn the rest of it into something else. A breakthrough was made when Edge found a soupy auto-wah-based preset (called ‘Funk Wah’) on his Korg A3 Performance Signal Processor & he came up with the song’s disarmingly simple but mighty 2-note, 1-chord riff & funky solo interlude. The finished track is complemented by co-producer Daniel Lanois’ congas, to give the song a rhythmic swaying pulse. U2 fine-tuned “Mysterious Ways” throughout the remaining recording sessions, right up to the album deadline, w a guitar overdub being added after the final mix had already been finished.
@Pip's Invitation It was Edge who composed the chorus' reassuring line, "It's all right / It's all right / It's all right", wanting to prove a point since no prior U2 song contained the line.
On the 2nd leg of the tour, Morleigh Steinberg, took over as the belly dancer & ended up taking up w Edge, whose marriage collapsed while the band was recording AB. However, she is not in the song's video.
(BTW.........I had this at #14, my first BINGO!)
Originally conceived in the same R&H session as 1988's "Desire" .
At that time, it was called "The Real Thing"....a play on Coca-Cola's slogan "It's The Real Thing" & was intended as a statement about commercialism
It was shelved & then re-emerged during AB, but the band struggled to make progress in Berlin. It finally came to life when the Edge bought a DigiTech WH-1 Whammy pitch shifter pedal & added the song’s startling whirring-siren intro at two-octaves-up. Ultimately, the finished product is a tour de force of catchy riffery, throbbing energy, culminating in a masterfully constructed slide solo where Edge builds the song’s energy anew, progressing from languid beginnings to a Doppler-effect climax: incidentally, even his slide style is unconventional, given that he plays his slide parts in standard tunings & uses the bottleneck on his middle finger, rather than the more conventional choice of 3rd or 4th.
That iconic video that everyone remembers?
- included special effects w camera rigs built that could revolve around each member of the band, creating a 360 degree motion.
- It also contained a group of U2 doppelgangers that most people didn't even notice due to the overstimulating images thrown at the viewer
14 Mysterious Ways
song first took shape as a jam-song called "Sick Puppy" during the difficult AB recording sessions. Bono & Lanois argued intensely on the direction..........But at 1 point in the recording session, “Sick Puppy” sparked a creative moment & the resulting deviation went in another direction to become the musical blueprint for the song "One".
U2 the birth of Mysterious Way & ONE in Hansa Studios, Berlin
After working on One, U2 continued to return to the remnants of Sick Puppy to see if they could turn the rest of it into something else. A breakthrough was made when Edge found a soupy auto-wah-based preset (called ‘Funk Wah’) on his Korg A3 Performance Signal Processor & he came up with the song’s disarmingly simple but mighty 2-note, 1-chord riff & funky solo interlude. The finished track is complemented by co-producer Daniel Lanois’ congas, to give the song a rhythmic swaying pulse. U2 fine-tuned “Mysterious Ways” throughout the remaining recording sessions, right up to the album deadline, w a guitar overdub being added after the final mix had already been finished.
@Pip's Invitation It was Edge who composed the chorus' reassuring line, "It's all right / It's all right / It's all right", wanting to prove a point since no prior U2 song contained the line.
On the 2nd leg of the tour, Morleigh Steinberg, took over as the belly dancer & ended up taking up w Edge, whose marriage collapsed while the band was recording AB. However, she is not in the song's video.
(BTW.........I had this at #14, my first BINGO!)
Nemesis
Footballguy
13 One Tree Hill
In Sep 1984, U2 was due to kick off their TUF tour in NZ. Bono, who had taken a 24-hr flight into NZ, was still having trouble adjusting to the time difference & couldn't sleep, so he went out for a walk. While walking around Auckland, he met a young guy w some friends. Bono was talking to them when Greg said "Do you want us to show you around?" One Tree Hill was the 1st place they took Bono to, & from that meeting Greg & Bono became good friends. As a result, Carroll was hired as local help while the group was in NZ . He endeared himself w his personality & work ethic, & was hired on full time as a stage hand & assistant for the rest of the TUF tour. (at Live Aid, he could be seen on stage handing Bono a microphone). At the end of the tour, he continued to work for U2 in Dublin as they started to get ready to work on the TJT.
On July 3, 1986, Carroll was killed in Dublin when he was hit by a car while running an errand for the band on Bono's motorcycle. A car had pulled in front of him, & he was unable to stop in the rain & struck the side of the car & was killed instantly. Greg's death shocked the entire band, especially since they all had taken him under their wing & was so far from his home. Bono, Ali, Larry & others w/in the U2 organization took Greg Carroll's body back to NZ for the funeral in Wanganui where Greg had grown up & his family were. (Bono sang "Let it Be" & "Knockin' on Heaven's Door at the funeral) Shortly after returning to Dublin, Bono started the lyrics to "One Tree Hill" in his memory & dedicated the album to him.
The American TV show One Tree Hill, which went on the air in 2003, was named after this song by the show's creator, Mark Schwahn.
Live Versions / Remixes:
One Tree Hill - 7 min version w pictures of Greg Carroll
One Tree Hill - TJT 2017 tour Chile
One Tree Hill (St Francis Hotel Remix) 4:17
12 Beautiful Day
1 of U2's biggest hits to date. UK # 1 (their Fourth #1).........Canada: #1............ IRE:#1.............AUS #1.......in the US? #21
U2 wrote this in stages. The song evolved out of a punk rock song U2 were working on called "Always," which was eventually used as the B-side to "Beautiful Day." It changed drastically when Bono came up w the "Beautiful Day" lyric & the idea for the backing vocals. The band knew it was a hit when they took it to their label boss Jimmy Iovine. Brian Eno's contribution was that fantastically Euro kick drum opening & keyboard line, & that gave us the clue as to where it should go next."
“There was a big debate over the guitar sound on ‘Beautiful Day,'” Edge said. Edge was playing the song on his Gibson Explorer guitar w a tone used in much of their early material up to their 1983 album War. “That was really the sound of U2, the sound we made our own
& abandoned. Whether or not we should bring it back became a real talking point.”
“Beautiful Day” won U2 3 Grammy Awards for Song of the Yr, Record of the Yr, & Best Rock Performance By Duo Or Group.
In Sep 1984, U2 was due to kick off their TUF tour in NZ. Bono, who had taken a 24-hr flight into NZ, was still having trouble adjusting to the time difference & couldn't sleep, so he went out for a walk. While walking around Auckland, he met a young guy w some friends. Bono was talking to them when Greg said "Do you want us to show you around?" One Tree Hill was the 1st place they took Bono to, & from that meeting Greg & Bono became good friends. As a result, Carroll was hired as local help while the group was in NZ . He endeared himself w his personality & work ethic, & was hired on full time as a stage hand & assistant for the rest of the TUF tour. (at Live Aid, he could be seen on stage handing Bono a microphone). At the end of the tour, he continued to work for U2 in Dublin as they started to get ready to work on the TJT.
On July 3, 1986, Carroll was killed in Dublin when he was hit by a car while running an errand for the band on Bono's motorcycle. A car had pulled in front of him, & he was unable to stop in the rain & struck the side of the car & was killed instantly. Greg's death shocked the entire band, especially since they all had taken him under their wing & was so far from his home. Bono, Ali, Larry & others w/in the U2 organization took Greg Carroll's body back to NZ for the funeral in Wanganui where Greg had grown up & his family were. (Bono sang "Let it Be" & "Knockin' on Heaven's Door at the funeral) Shortly after returning to Dublin, Bono started the lyrics to "One Tree Hill" in his memory & dedicated the album to him.
The American TV show One Tree Hill, which went on the air in 2003, was named after this song by the show's creator, Mark Schwahn.
Live Versions / Remixes:
One Tree Hill - 7 min version w pictures of Greg Carroll
One Tree Hill - TJT 2017 tour Chile
One Tree Hill (St Francis Hotel Remix) 4:17
12 Beautiful Day
1 of U2's biggest hits to date. UK # 1 (their Fourth #1).........Canada: #1............ IRE:#1.............AUS #1.......in the US? #21
U2 wrote this in stages. The song evolved out of a punk rock song U2 were working on called "Always," which was eventually used as the B-side to "Beautiful Day." It changed drastically when Bono came up w the "Beautiful Day" lyric & the idea for the backing vocals. The band knew it was a hit when they took it to their label boss Jimmy Iovine. Brian Eno's contribution was that fantastically Euro kick drum opening & keyboard line, & that gave us the clue as to where it should go next."
“There was a big debate over the guitar sound on ‘Beautiful Day,'” Edge said. Edge was playing the song on his Gibson Explorer guitar w a tone used in much of their early material up to their 1983 album War. “That was really the sound of U2, the sound we made our own
& abandoned. Whether or not we should bring it back became a real talking point.”
“Beautiful Day” won U2 3 Grammy Awards for Song of the Yr, Record of the Yr, & Best Rock Performance By Duo Or Group.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(11) - 11 - I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
Vulture.com ranking and comment -4/218 - It’s a gospel song, period. Not kind of a gospel song, or inspired by a gospel song, but an honest-to-goodness gospel song. It is inspirational and uplifting and heartbreaking and just plain gorgeous. The melody is just so deft: Larry and Adam in the pocket, Edge coasting along the top of the melody, and Bono singing with actual humility. “Gospel” should not be a dirty word to rock fans — that’s where it comes from, where the church met the field met the juke joint. Take me to church.
Original Comment - This is such a well paced and organised track. It speaks to the spiritual struggle that the band and millions of followers (religious not U2, but maybe both) struggle with. At the time it was released I was a conflicted young man being pulled in many directions. This track spoke to me in ways that music often can. Once again I am the highest ranker. That’s 4 of the last 5 tracks. I am the solo highest ranker on only one more track, my number 1.
Total Points - 2051.70
Rankers - 34
Average Points per rank - 60.34 (Approximately a 12th rank).
Ranks - 17th on average points per ranker
Highest Rank - 1
Lowest Rank - 116
Previous Rank - 11-11
Special Version Requested - None
Ranking Comments - Our last one before the top 10 lands in exactly the same spot as last time. It has a whopping 27 entries in the top 25 and 10 in the top 10. The 116 surprises me a little. This song has 3 rankers placing it at 7, 14, 15 and 19. Funnily enough not one single rank at 11.
Vulture.com ranking and comment -4/218 - It’s a gospel song, period. Not kind of a gospel song, or inspired by a gospel song, but an honest-to-goodness gospel song. It is inspirational and uplifting and heartbreaking and just plain gorgeous. The melody is just so deft: Larry and Adam in the pocket, Edge coasting along the top of the melody, and Bono singing with actual humility. “Gospel” should not be a dirty word to rock fans — that’s where it comes from, where the church met the field met the juke joint. Take me to church.
Original Comment - This is such a well paced and organised track. It speaks to the spiritual struggle that the band and millions of followers (religious not U2, but maybe both) struggle with. At the time it was released I was a conflicted young man being pulled in many directions. This track spoke to me in ways that music often can. Once again I am the highest ranker. That’s 4 of the last 5 tracks. I am the solo highest ranker on only one more track, my number 1.
Total Points - 2051.70
Rankers - 34
Average Points per rank - 60.34 (Approximately a 12th rank).
Ranks - 17th on average points per ranker
Highest Rank - 1
Lowest Rank - 116
Previous Rank - 11-11
Special Version Requested - None
Ranking Comments - Our last one before the top 10 lands in exactly the same spot as last time. It has a whopping 27 entries in the top 25 and 10 in the top 10. The 116 surprises me a little. This song has 3 rankers placing it at 7, 14, 15 and 19. Funnily enough not one single rank at 11.
Nemesis
Footballguy
U2 news 2022-09-16
U2 updates the single: Get Out of Your Own Way
U2 updates the single: Get Out of Your Own Way
U2 have updated one additional single as part of the refresh project.
“Get Out of Your Own Way” has been updated today on several online sites, including YouTube music, Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz and others.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
Now we get to the top 10. Last time Running to Stand Still occupied this slot.
I can say that the jump in ranking points is steep with a leap from 2051 points to 2365 with our first top 10 entry.
After this song is revealed, those paying close attention will know something significant about the last 9 songs and their order.
I can say that the jump in ranking points is steep with a leap from 2051 points to 2365 with our first top 10 entry.
After this song is revealed, those paying close attention will know something significant about the last 9 songs and their order.
simey
Footballguy
I ranked this song #27. I originally had it at #22. It could be anywhere in the 20s. One of my roommates in college played this song constantly, and that got old after the 1,000th time, but I think it's a great song. Saying 1,000th makes me lisp.
krista4
Footballguy
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For was my #15. It's a song that I kept listening to over and over seeking to move it down. I'd look at where it was on my list and think, "That song's kinda dull and I should move it down." So I'd relisten to figure out where to put it and then...NOPE. Never moved it. It's certainly a slow burn instead of being all full of glorious hooks, but what a ****ing slow burn it is. The build that begins around halfway through with "I believe in the kingdom come" and then gradually relents is phenomenal. Maybe this is a song that doesn't really go anywhere, but where it doesn't go is lovely.
The Dreaded Marco
Footballguy
ISHFWILF is my #31 and my lowest ranked of 7 from The Joshua Tree.
A pretty great song but it’s just never been an absolute favorite.
A pretty great song but it’s just never been an absolute favorite.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
I was at 60. If they had never done the R&H version it might have ranked in the 30s for me, but that version was…..a struggle for me. That said, a U2 song at #60 is still a song that I really like!
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
I Still = 16.
Vulture is right. It’s a gospel song, and a damn good one. I might even like the more-overt version on R&H better.
Vulture is right. It’s a gospel song, and a damn good one. I might even like the more-overt version on R&H better.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
It pretty much has to be All I Want is You or One. If any of the others fall that much, everyone should be deeply ashamed.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
I’ve assumed all along that either Streets or Sunday would be #1. I’m guessing both of these moved up 4 slots.
Mr. Landry
Footballguy
I'm with Alex on this one. All I Want is You or One are the only two that can drop without us needing a Congressional investigation. Love both those songs, but they are a step down from what is left.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Hmm. Tough to top that logic.
Grace Under Pressure
Footballguy
I’m at 19 on I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. Basically this is song two in the Holy Trinity that is the first three songs of The Joshua Tree. Certainly uplifting, obviously a fan favorite, it’s a great U2 song on its own, the album placement vaults it into the top 20 IMO.
Grace Under Pressure
Footballguy
I haven’t been much on the guessing, but I’ve sort of assumed the number one song would be the opposite of Good. I’m terrible at this stuff though.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I had ISHFWILF at 26. This one fluctuates a lot from day to day. I hear it pretty regularly, so it suffers from being overplayed in my world. I'll sing along when I am alone in the car and it comes on. Still a great song, but another that is sort of played out for me.
I remember a girl I went to college with who was a U2 fanatic. Like you read about. She was from NJ (college was in CT) and fell in the category of a friend that I had higher aspirations for. She went to the show at MSG with the ISHFWILF with the choir performance used in RAH. She told me stories of lying to her parents about studying and staying over with her friends doing homework, when in reality she would trade "favors" to get transportation and tickets to U2 shows when she was underage. She said the most outrageous thing she did was hooking up with a group of much older men (30's and 40's) that flew her to a show in Chicago and put her up in a swank downtown hotel when she was 15. Like I said, she was a huge fan. What got my goat is she would engage in that sort of wild behavior with strangers but wouldn't with me. Probably for the best. Now she's a politician / elected official in California.
I remember a girl I went to college with who was a U2 fanatic. Like you read about. She was from NJ (college was in CT) and fell in the category of a friend that I had higher aspirations for. She went to the show at MSG with the ISHFWILF with the choir performance used in RAH. She told me stories of lying to her parents about studying and staying over with her friends doing homework, when in reality she would trade "favors" to get transportation and tickets to U2 shows when she was underage. She said the most outrageous thing she did was hooking up with a group of much older men (30's and 40's) that flew her to a show in Chicago and put her up in a swank downtown hotel when she was 15. Like I said, she was a huge fan. What got my goat is she would engage in that sort of wild behavior with strangers but wouldn't with me. Probably for the best. Now she's a politician / elected official in California.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
We will see
krista4
Footballguy
I figured prior to the last one that the next two would have the same spot, meaning that you "gave away" that we will have a new #1 this time. But...we will see!
krista4
Footballguy
Meaning this part. Once you said this, I thought the next two songs have to be the "non-movers," meaning that every other song has moved one way or the other and we'll have a new #1. Then when you posted #11, I was even more sure of this. But now the "we will see" makes me question it.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
(10) - 10 - Running to Stand Still
(10) - 10 - Running to Stand Still Live Zoo Tv Sydney
(10) - 10 - Running to Stand Still Remastered
Vulture.com ranking and comment -15/218 - The song starts in the middle of the story because the beginning almost doesn’t matter. What matters is the end, even though we know how these stories end. The point here is to stand in witness, but not in judgment. Heroin wrecked so many close to U2 — the death of Phil Lynott in 1986 was on their minds — and everything they wrote about it crucifies the drug, not the addict. The lyrics here find the beauty and the pain in the human condition, and deny neither. Musically, it fakes you out in the intro; you think it’s going to be a blues song, then it switches into a composition that’s almost orchestral. It’s still a blues, though: stunning, atmospheric, and heartbreakingly tragic.
Original Comment - Such a beautifully understated song. I am really surprised at the 2 AND 3 ranking. If the 48 ranking was the same as my 22, it would have landed at 6. A 10 ranking would have put it at 4. All this number masturbation doesn’t really help us I guess, but it goes to show with just 4 lists the volatility of one ranking can dramatically alter a songs placement.
Total Points - 2365.5
Rankers - 33
Average Points per rank - 71.68 (Approximately a 11th rank).
Ranks - 6th on average points per ranker
Highest Rank - 2
Lowest Rank - 51
Previous Rank - 10-10
Special Versions Requested -
(10) - 10 - Running to Stand Still Live Zoo Tv Sydney
(10) - 10 - Running to Stand Still Remastered
Ranking Comments - Of all the top 10 songs last time, this is the one I expected to drop. Then the votes started coming in. A lot of the early votes had it top 5 and I was expecting a major shock. Then it was excluded from a few lists and a lot of the later lists had it lower. The numbers here are amazing though. It ranks 6th on average votes per ranker. With only 33 votes it couldnt climb higher. The next lowest is 36 votes and they are our next 2. It has an astonishing 8 top 3 votes, with 6 people putting it at #3. It has 11 top 5 votes and an incredible 20 top 10 votes, smashing all previous records. Another 9 top 20 votes. So 29 of its 33 votes were top 20.
(10) - 10 - Running to Stand Still Live Zoo Tv Sydney
(10) - 10 - Running to Stand Still Remastered
Vulture.com ranking and comment -15/218 - The song starts in the middle of the story because the beginning almost doesn’t matter. What matters is the end, even though we know how these stories end. The point here is to stand in witness, but not in judgment. Heroin wrecked so many close to U2 — the death of Phil Lynott in 1986 was on their minds — and everything they wrote about it crucifies the drug, not the addict. The lyrics here find the beauty and the pain in the human condition, and deny neither. Musically, it fakes you out in the intro; you think it’s going to be a blues song, then it switches into a composition that’s almost orchestral. It’s still a blues, though: stunning, atmospheric, and heartbreakingly tragic.
Original Comment - Such a beautifully understated song. I am really surprised at the 2 AND 3 ranking. If the 48 ranking was the same as my 22, it would have landed at 6. A 10 ranking would have put it at 4. All this number masturbation doesn’t really help us I guess, but it goes to show with just 4 lists the volatility of one ranking can dramatically alter a songs placement.
Total Points - 2365.5
Rankers - 33
Average Points per rank - 71.68 (Approximately a 11th rank).
Ranks - 6th on average points per ranker
Highest Rank - 2
Lowest Rank - 51
Previous Rank - 10-10
Special Versions Requested -
(10) - 10 - Running to Stand Still Live Zoo Tv Sydney
(10) - 10 - Running to Stand Still Remastered
Ranking Comments - Of all the top 10 songs last time, this is the one I expected to drop. Then the votes started coming in. A lot of the early votes had it top 5 and I was expecting a major shock. Then it was excluded from a few lists and a lot of the later lists had it lower. The numbers here are amazing though. It ranks 6th on average votes per ranker. With only 33 votes it couldnt climb higher. The next lowest is 36 votes and they are our next 2. It has an astonishing 8 top 3 votes, with 6 people putting it at #3. It has 11 top 5 votes and an incredible 20 top 10 votes, smashing all previous records. Another 9 top 20 votes. So 29 of its 33 votes were top 20.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
You are smarter than the average bear.
Meaning this part. Once you said this, I thought the next two songs have to be the "non-movers," meaning that every other song has moved one way or the other and we'll have a new #1. Then when you posted #11, I was even more sure of this. But now the "we will see" makes me question it.
John Maddens Lunchbox
Footballguy
With 10, 11 and 12 staying in the same spots, the next 9 are all in different spots. Yes we will have a new number one.
Yes 3 songs move up 4 or down 5, so the possibilities start narrowing.
Our #9 does not drop 5 or rise 4, so that leaves only 5 possibilities.
It only has 36 votes so that gets us down to 4 possibilities.
Yes 3 songs move up 4 or down 5, so the possibilities start narrowing.
Our #9 does not drop 5 or rise 4, so that leaves only 5 possibilities.
It only has 36 votes so that gets us down to 4 possibilities.
The Dreaded Marco
Footballguy
I suspected that Bad wouldn’t repeat at 1 with 40 voters.
Good on you original 3 for placing it where it belongs
I can’t argue with most of the others at 1 except the 1 I expect is going to be 1.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
I was at 11. Absolutely love this song. Running to stand still. Those 4 words are powerful for anyone who has had to bear witness to addiction.
The Dreaded Marco
Footballguy
16 for me. Another beautiful song from TJT.
simey
Footballguy
I ranked this song #3, and it could've been my #2. It's my favorite song on TJT.
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Grace Under Pressure
Footballguy
I'm at 8 on Running to Stand Still. It's a beautiful song. It seems like there's pretty widespread agreement on that.
Brony
Footballguy
Same for me. My #3 and top TJT. Just a flat out beautiful and powerful song.
rockaction
Footballguy
Man, I missed my moment to chime in about the countdown when "Beautiful Day" came up. It's the song that makes me think that despite all of the buffoonery that is U2 and their really misplaced modernism that seems to hinge upon the historical accident (or inevitable momentum) that allows a rock band to conquer the world and then get all weepingly altruistic and conscious, they can really just pen a great freaking anthem and guest at arenas everywhere to the delight of the once-innocent.
It's a beautiful song.
It's a beautiful song.
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