Category Archives: U2

Theology, U2

We Need a Hero

Rock music and social causes became inextricably bound in the late 1960s. Rock songs provided the soundtrack to the era’s protest movements and articulated the highest hopes and most deeply felt anger of the Vietnam generation.

In today’s money-driven age, however, socially conscious songwriting seems sadly irrelevant. Music that once challenged the prevailing social order—from the Beatles to the Clash, from Curtis Mayfield to Jimi Hendrix—now provides the background to car commercials. As a revolutionary force, rock seems spent.

But look again.

Bono, the lion-haired, sun-glassed front man of rock super-group U2, has spent most of this decade pioneering new ways for music to retake the political stage. His secret weapon? A deeply felt and seriously abiding sense of faith—one that has made it possible for the Irish rocker to connect with both arenas of screaming fans and the famously crusty Republican Senator Jesse Helms. “I love Bono,” says the conservative icon.

Bono is not a protest rocker in the old style. “I’m not a winging liberal…I’m no hippie with flowers in my hair. I come from punk rock,” he told Oprah. Bono is, in fact, a meticulous and shrewd forger of alliances—and a winner of results.

In the last year, while touring with a successful new album, Bono worked relentlessly to help secure billions in debt-relief and AIDS funding for the poorest nations of Africa. And he did all it with a sneer on his lips that would do Elvis proud and a from-the-gut faith that punctuates his every public statement. For this, Bono is Science of Mind’s Spiritual Hero for 2005.

First, he was nominated for the Nobel prize. Then Time Magazine named him one of the Persons of the Year. Now, Bono has been named Spiritual Hero of the Year by Science of Mind magazine. The profile was written by Mitch Horowitz and will appear in the January 2006 issue. You can read an exerpt of the article at SotM or you can read the entire profile from Horowitz’s website. It is a pretty good read although it rehashes alot of information that has already been available.

I found this link on the absolute best U2 website: @U2. They consistantly deliver excellent links and news about all the members of U2. They are one of my favorite websites period.

For the record, while I highly admire the man, Science of the Mind has named Bono the Spiritaul Hero of 2005- not me.

Mitch Horowitz
Link
Via

Faith in Action, Firm on the Rock, Ministry, Theology, U2

2006: The Goal is Soul

Happy New Year everyone! One of my absolute favorite songs is U2‘s Beautiful Day. When it comes on the radio I find myself walking taller and smiling brighter. The lyrics and the music are perfect for any day but they are especially perfect for days like today. If you have the album “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” get it out and ring in the new year with this anthem! Everday is a beautiful day- don’t let em get away!

The heart is a bloom
Shoots up through the stony ground
But there’s no room
No space to rent in this town
You’re out of luck
And the reason that you had to care
The traffic is stuck
And you’re not moving anywhere
You thought you’d found a friend
To take you out of this place
Always
Someone you could lend a hand
In return for grace
Always

It’s a beautiful day
The sky falls and you feel like
It’s a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away

You’re on the road
But you’ve got no destination
You’re in the mud
In the maze of her imagination
You love this town
Even if that doesn’t ring true
You’ve been all over
And it’s been all over you
Always

It’s a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
It’s a beautiful day
Touch me
Take me to that other place
Teach me
I know I’m not a hopeless case

See the world in green and blue
See China right in front of you
See the canyons broken by cloud
See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out
See the Bedouin fires at night
See the oil fields at first light, and
See the bird with a leaf in her mouth
After the flood all the colors came out

It was a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
Beautiful day

Touch me
Take me to that other place
Reach me
I know I’m not a hopeless case

What you don’t have you don’t need it now
What you don’t know you can feel it somehow
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
Don’t need it now
It was a beautiful day

Best of 2005, Faith in Action, News, Popular Culture, U2

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Time Magazine announced their annual Person of the Year this week. The honor went to 3 people on behalf of their work with the world’s poor. Bill and Melinda Gates and Bono were named Persons of the Year for 2005. I know that I talk an awful lot about Bono here but I wanted to call attention to his determination and his strategy for speading the word about helping the poorest of the poor.

As I read the article on Bono I couldn’t help but think about the apostle Paul. Paul tells us in Corinthians that he became all things to all men in order that the Gospel might be heard and accepted. Here is what the Time article tells us about Bono’s strategy to bring his message of debt eradication and developmental aid to the men and women of the US:

When he lunches with President Bush, as he did in October, Bono quotes scripture and talks about small projects in Africa that have specific metrics for success. Then he asks for more money to fund them. In the office of Sen. Dic Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, he speaks of multilateralism and how developmental aid reminds the rest of the world of America;s greatness. Then he asks for more money. In stadiums, he tells people that if they join together, they have a chance to make poverty history. Then U2 plays One.

Bono’s great gift is to take what has made him famous- charm, clarity of voice, an ability to touch people in their secret heart- combine those traits with a keen grasp of the political game and obsessive attention to detail, and channel is all toward getting everyone, from world leaders to music lovers, to engage with something overwhelming in its complexity. Although it is easy to cast his global road show as the vanity project of a pampered celebrity, the fact is that Bono gets results.

Know thy audience! Know thy message! Know how to tell that message to thy audience!

The rest of the article is great and gives you a real backstage glimpse at Bono’s “global road show”- briefings, meetings, days without sleep, concerts, and manilla folders. The article takes you from Live Aid through Live 8 and to today. A must read for U2 fans, ministers and leadership strategists.

Good on ya, Bono!

Time Person of the Year Photo Essay: Bono

Music, Popular Culture, U2

A Noble Spirit Embiggens the Smallest Man

2 Comments

Last night U2 performed in Nebraska for the first time. According to one fan review, Bono took a moment to apologize for something that he has been criticized about quite frequently over the last few years. During Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own, Bono apologized for his use of foul language in the past. According to Shaun Grantski‘s review on U2tours, Bono told the crowd

I’ve been known to use colorful language in the past…and I’m really working on stopping it. I do not mean to offend anyone; it’s just the way I grew up and the culture we’re in…it’s all around us.

Bono’s “colorful language” caused quite a stir at the Golden Globes when he and the Edge accepted an award for the song The Hands That Built America from the film The Gangs of New York.

Everyone of us deals with different struggles and shortcomings and celebrities are no different. It takes a big man to admit that he isn’t perfect. Good on ya, Bono.

Music, News, U2

HTRAAC

2 Comments

or, How To Rock an Awards Ceremony.

U2’s latest release, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb has been nominated for 6 Grammy Awards. Way to go guys!

BTW, next week my end of the year Best of 2005 lists will be posted. This year I’ve chosen to highlight my favorite albums and books. Keep your eyes open for the lists.

Song of the Year – Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal – Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Best Rock Song – City of Blinding Lights
Best Rock Album – How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Producer of the Year – Steve Lillywhite, for How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Album of the Year – How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

Firm on the Rock, U2

Pressed Against the Glass

Zoo Station
Achtung Baby
U2

I’m ready, ready for the laughing gas
I’m ready, I’m ready for what’s next
I’m ready to duck, I’m ready to dive
I’m ready to say ‘I’m glad to be alive’
I’m ready, I’m ready for the push
In the cool of the night
In the warmth of the breeze
I’ll be crawling around
On my hands and knees

She’s just down the line
Zoo Station
Got to make it on time
Zoo Station

I’m ready, ready for the gridlock
I’m ready to take it to the street
I’m ready for the shuffle, ready for the deal
Ready to let go of the steering wheel
I’m ready, ready for the crush

Just down the line
Zoo Station
I’ll be on time
Zoo Station

Alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright
It’s alright, it’s alright
It’s alright, it’s alright
Hey baby, hey baby, hey baby, hey baby
It’s alright, it’s alright
Don’t worry, you’re catching it up

Time is a train, makes the future the past
Leaves you standing in the station
Your face pressed up against the glass

I’m just down the line from your love
Zoo Station
Under the sign of your love
Zoo Station
I’m gonna make it on time, make it on time
Make it on time, just make it on time, baby
Zoo Station
We’ll be right here
Zoo Station
It’s alright, just make it
Zoo Station
I’m gonna make it on time
Just two stops down the line from your love
Zoo Station
Just a stop down

Firm on the Rock, U2

U2 // Dallas, TX

1 Comment

U2 // Dallas, TX 1“That Was Mad!”

Bono laughingly spoke those words to the crowd after a rousing rendition of “Streets.” The crowd was screaming and cheering so loudly that my ears began to ring. The whole evening was mad! It was nothing short of incredible. I’ll write a full review later but I wanted to post a few snippets about my day here now.

1) I got to the arena around 11am and hung around the will call box hoping that a few extra GA tickets might become available. After a while I felt a little guilty waiting in line with people who didn’t have any tickets so I got out of line and walked to the players entrance hoping to catch a glimpse of the band.

2) I caught a glimpse of the band when they arrived an hour and a half after they were scheduled to. They arrived at 5:40ish and the doors opened at 6pm. There was no sound check.

3) I met some great people and had a great time hanging out at the arena.

4) The show was wonderful. I’ll remember “Miss Sarajevo” and “The First Time” for years to come. Bono hit every Italian note just right. Bella!

5) I loved the image of the man walking to the beat of “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own” and the exiting the frame as the bridge began.

6) “Where the Streets Have No Name”

7) I know that fans laughingly compare a U2 show with a church service but when the band ends the show with songs like “All Because of You,” “Yahweh,” and “40” you begin to really to understand that there is some truth to that comparison. I think I heard an “Amen.”

8) As Beth mentioned in a comment below, Adam Clayton did look happy to be there. I kept thinking that the small smile on his face could be described as “reserved gleefullness.”

The set list was as follows:

City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, The Electric Co., The Ocean, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (In a Little While), Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One (Ol’ Man River)

1st Encore: The First Time, Stuck In a Moment, Angel of Harlem, With or Without You
2nd Encore: All Because of You, Yahweh, 40

Dallas Morning News Review

U2

Hello, Hello

4 Comments

Today I’m Going to Vertigo!

Hello folks. I am in Dallas, TX eagerly anticipating my U2 concert experience set for 8pm tonight. I have been rocking out to “Pop” and “HTDAAB” for the past few days getting geared up for the show. The Dallas Morning News had a few articles and interesting factoids on the band in today’s paper. One of the articles was a reader survey on various U2 topics including “Best Album” (Joshua Tree, no surprise there) and “What Would You Rather Do?”

Best Albums
The Joshua Tree: 46.15%
All That You Can’t Leave Behind: 15.38%
How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb: 15.38%
Achtung Baby: 11.54% (That surprised me. I would have tied it with Joshua Tree)
War: 7.69%
The Unforgettable Fire: 3.85%

What Would You Rather Do?
Take guitar lessons from The Edge: 61.90%
Attend a UN meeting with Bono: 23.81%
Gaze into the dreamy eyes of Larry Mullin: 9.52%
Look bored with Adam Clayton: 4.76%

I thought you would enjoy these two surveys. I’ll post a reveiw sometime next week. Peace.

8 o’clock Tick Tock

U2

The Rolling Stone

I came home yesterday and guess who met me at the door. Why, it was my friendly neighborhood Irish rock star, Bono. Bono is the featured cover story for the current issue of Rolling Stone. The article, written by Jann S. Wenner, seemed to be covering familiar territory and even the Q&A format seemed oddly familiar to me. However, there were some great little jems and some wonderful insight from Bono on Scripture, faith, God, AIDS, U2’s longevity, friendship, and fame. There was also a two page spead titled “Bono on the Records.” Wenner “asked Bono to assume the role of a music critic” and review his albums and songs from the past 25 years. Again, some great humor and great insight. For a big-mouthed Irish rock star, Bono make you feel as though it is just you and him discussing the world over a cup of coffee: intimate and larger than life itself.

Tuesday’s here but Saturday’s comin’

Firm on the Rock, U2

Through Your Eyes I Can See

Stuck In a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of
All That You Can’t Leave Behind
U2

I’m not afraid of anything in this world
There’s nothing you can throw at me
That I haven’t already heard
I’m just trying to find a decent melody
A song that I can sing in my own company

I never thought you were a fool
But darling, look at you
You gotta stand up straight, carry your own weight
These tears are going nowhere, baby

You’ve got to get yourself together
You’ve got stuck in a moment and you can’t get out of
Don’t say that later will be better
Now you’re stuck in a moment and you can’t get out of it

I will not forsake the colours that you bring
But the nights you filled with fireworks
They left you with nothing
I am still enchanted by the light you brought to me
I still listen through your ears
And through your eyes I can see

And you are such a fool to worry like you do
I know it’s tough and you can never get enough
Of what you don’t really need now, my oh my

You’ve got to get yourself together
You’ve got stuck in a moment and you can’t get out of it
Oh love, look at you now
You’ve got yourself stuck in a moment and you can’t get out of it

I was unconcious, half asleep
The water is warm till you discover how deep
I wasn’t jumping, for me it was a fall
It’s a long way down to nothing at all

You’ve got to get yourself together
You’ve got stuck in a moment and you can’t get out of it
Don’t say that later will be better
Now you’re stuck in a moment and you can’t get out of it

And if the night runs over
And if the day won’t last
And if our way should falter
Along the stony pass
And if the night runs over
And if the day won’t last
And if our way should falter
Along the stony pass
It’s just a moment, this time will pass