Not Bad
January 13th, 2007 at 2:27 pm (Uncategorized)
Bad - U2 By Andrew Hawks Bryce
Everybody knows U2, one of the biggest bands currently recording. You’ve got the politically active humanitarian, Bono and the crazy wicked guitarist, The Edge. Then there’s those two other guys. In 1985 at Live Aid (if you don’t know about Live Aid check this out, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_Aid, absolutely crazy event) U2 took the stage as one of the lesser acts. Queen were the headliners and apparently stole the show with their rendition of Radio Ga Ga. Each act was given exactly 18 minutes to perform, no soundcheck, nothing. U2 came out and did Sunday, Bloody Sunday and then followed it up with a 12 minute rendition of Bad. The song was released along with the well known Pride (In the Name of Love) on the album The Unforgettable Fire. This album is noteworthy in terms of U2’s development. It was the first time they worked with the producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, who they also collaborated with on Joshua Tree, a monster of an album.
I saw Pearl Jam in September 2005 and U2 were in the audience having just played a show at the ACC. The PJ show was full of short U2 musical references, and Eddie sang snippets of U2 lyrics during some of the jam sessions. For the encore Bono came on stage and joined Pearl Jam for a rendition of Neil’s Rockin in the Free World, it was magical. Nonetheless, introducing a PJ song called Habit Eddie played the opening lick to Bad to loud cheers from the crowd. He stopped and said, “that’s one of the best songs ever written about addiction, but this is the one we wrote, it’s called Habit.” Stories aside, I can’t believe I didn’t know this U2 song, I’ve been a fan for years, and it’s not like U2 has lots of hard to find, rarely heard material. If this is nothing new to you and know what’s coming, my apologies, but if you don’t know it, save the drama for ya mama and prepare to be stunned. I also highly recommend checking this out if you’re into the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPyhYczii8I&mode=related&search=. Au Revoir.
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tony said,
January 14, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Hey yeah!
I’ve always like this song alot, but I never knew the title. It’s hard for me to enjoy U2 the way I used to, though I’m not entirely sure why this is.
This song has a kind of soundtrack quality to it - for me at least. What I mean by this is that there are certain songs I love playing in my ear while walking around the city; this is one of them. I really love how it seems to be building up to a powerful climax the right from the song. And it doesn’t dissapoint. I could listen to it over and over and over. In fact, I think I just did.
Tony.
songstory said,
January 15, 2007 at 10:34 am
I also like this song, although I’m not sure what the hell Bono is talking about in it. Sure, Eddie Vedder says its about addiction, but what the hell does Eddie Vedder know that I don’t? Well, for one, he knows what its like to be a drug addict. Thats true. But how do you know Eddie Vedder was ever addicted to drugs? Cause he’s a rock star, idiot! Every rock star no matter how many drugs they use or don’t use automatically has a deep, profound, appreciation for drug addiction that cannot be matched by any non-rock star, and thats a fact.
The best drug related interpretation I can muster for this song is perhaps that he is talking about withdrawl? Perhaps?
I like U2, but in some respects I think they are kind of over-rated. Here’s what they deserve credit for: coming up with an original sound and Bono’s voice. Other than that, they’re not worth much. The Edge uses a delay to create really cool sonic sounds out of relatively simple riffs, the bass player and drummer usually just play a driving march as the foundation, and Bono belts out impressive vocal performances, but I don’t think his lyrics are anything special. U2’s signature sound is quite evocative, but almost always in the exact same way. As Tony says, it has a soundtrack quality, where you can sense an impending climax as soon as the song starts. As a result Bono doesn’t really have to come up with anything worthwhile to say, he could say pretty much anything (as long as he sings the way he can) and it would be powerful.
My only real criticism here is that U2 is kind of a one trick pony, but I would be the first to admit that they are the best in the world at that trick.
Nelly Rodriguez said,
January 15, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Hey Songstory, here’s an idea; why don’t you try playing guitar like The Edge! I bet you can’t even play a bassoon.
U2 is the greatest band ever, don’t bring them down to the level of the pony!
And for your information, Eddie Vedder was a great man!
40 pianos guy said,
January 16, 2007 at 2:15 am
This song is definitely missing a piano. Seriously though, I love U2, even though I haven’t listened to them since Joell went through his Bono phase in high school. That was after his Chico phase and before his Band phase. I agree with dave, in that this song sounds too similar to any of their other big hits like “where the streets have no name” and “with or without you.” It was interesting to know that Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois helped produce this album. Is daniel Lanois Canadian? I think I remember reading that in bob dylan’s autobiography. Tony, help me out here. I do think though that Bono has one of the most inspiring voices ever.
That’s my word!
p.s. my two favourite U2 tracks are “One” and “Bloody Sunday”.
Tony said,
January 16, 2007 at 9:09 am
Garret the Carrot,
Yeah, Lanois is Canadian. He’s one of the only producers Dylan has said he liked working with, something about Lanois’ ability to bring out the sound Dylan wanted to express. But, I think that he has since said he’s never needed nor wanted a producer and that they’re useless, so go figure.
I’ve always liked Bono’s voice. I remember when “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” came out in 2000 (or whenever that was), and we were all flipping out over the album, Liam said he hated U2 and Bono couldn’t sing. For some reason that stuck in my head and since then I’m always trying to assure myself that he’s a great singer, and I’m constantly looking for an opportunity to kill Liam. Also, I’ve gotta thank Joell for lending me his two working headphones that day in the cafeteria, otherwise I never would have known that “In a Little While” wasn’t an acoustic song. Thanks buddy.
Still, this song can’t stand up to a classic like “Superman”. Dun-Dun-Dun-Dun–Waoowaoowaoowaaah Dun-Dun-Dun-Dun–Waoowaoowaoowaaah
Chang said,
January 16, 2007 at 9:33 am
U2?! i smell a bryce!
songstory said,
January 16, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Did you guys read what its says about U2’s performance on the wikipedia link Bryce included? Its very interesting. Sounds like Bono pulled a Czernecki. Remember that? When Sean was going to lose his legs in the Razor’s Edge?
Here’s what it says:
U2’s performance established them as a pre-eminent live group for the first time — something for which they would eventually become superstars. Bono jumped off the stage to join the crowd and danced with a girl. Because of this, the band only played two songs; the third, “Pride (In The Name Of Love)”, had to be ditched. In July of 2005, the girl with whom he danced revealed that he actually saved her life at the time. She was being crushed by the throngs of people pushing forwards; Bono saw this, and gestured frantically at the ushers to help her. They didn’t understand what he was saying, and so he jumped down to help her himself. This can be seen on the Live Aid DVD during “Bad”.
Bryce said,
January 16, 2007 at 3:11 pm
I can’t believe you made a Superman reference Tony. The song with Fabolous right? dudududadududududaow! You’re right, Superman has alot to do with U2’s Bad and is also greatly superior. I agree that alot of U2’s songs sound similar from this era (unforgettable fire, joshua tree) but I can’t say it really bothers me. It’s such a good sound. I also agree that as a singer Bono has a unique ability to convey an unbelievable amount of emotion. The guy makes me wanna cry. As for my favourite U2 songs? (since garret mentioned his) I gotta go with One, All I Want is You, Ultraviolet (light my way), and with or without you. The list could go on. Such a good band.
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