|
 |
|
|
|
|
"We have a long history of driving engineers and producers to the point of despair, because it's always 'I'm not sure about that.'" -- Larry, 2004 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"We have a long history of driving engineers and producers to the point of despair, because it's always 'I'm not sure about that.'" -- Larry, 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
U2 Lists: Top 5 'Transformed by Tour' Songs
@U2,
September 23, 2009
[Ed. note: This is the 13th in a "U2 Lists" series, where @U2 staffers pick a topic and share their personal rankings on something U2-related.]
Bono has said on many occasions "Live is where we live," and few fans would dispute that. Perhaps more than any other band in history, U2 brings their audiences under the surface of their songs, as if the lyrics and music are also are living, breathing entities. They invite fans to feel them and be a part of the -- not just sing along with them. Some would argue all of U2's live numbers are powerful, but certain songs owe their glory to the stage. They may have originally been liked or critically heralded when they debuted on their respective albums, but didn't truly come alive until they were brought into the band's live set. In my list below, I offer my choices for the top five tunes that were transformed by their tour alter egos.
5. "Zoo Station" The opener of Achtung Baby wasn't a bad song. But it really couldn't hold a candle to "Mysterious Ways" or "One," both of which became not only big hits upon their release, but remain two of U2's most popular songs of all time. "Zoo Station" earned its wings as the almost iconic beginning of the immensely successful Zoo TV tour. After a television-inspired introduction on multiple screens, Bono would emerge as a silhouette reacting in perfect sync with the opening sounds of the song, then kick, march and mosey his way onto the stage until The Fly began to sing. Flawless.
4. "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" It may be the single biggest battle between fans on the U2 360 Tour: Should U2 have altered the original formula of this single? Many who have spent an evening under the claw respond with a resounding "Yes!" The African flavor of what is now being called the "Crazy Remix" brings the audience to their feet and commands a bursting, joyous performance from the usually stoic Larry Mullen, Jr. who takes center stage in front of the crowd. Watching the band members' pulses rise in mutual appreciation for their creation is reason enough to include it on this list.
3. "Bad" This quiet, slow song from The Unforgettable Fire has meaningful lyrics, a pleasant melody and a longer running time than many other U2 songs. It always had merit alongside the other hits, but not until U2 took it on the road did it become the soul-bearing heartbeat that exists today. When Bono wailed "I'm wide awake" into the microphone at Live Aid, all emotional bets were off. His repetition and passion captured thousands of people in front of him and millions of people watching at home, making U2 the unlikely "stars" of the show.
2. "Gone" Over the years, the Pop album has taken quite a beating, and though it has its defenders, the majority of its songs seldom see the light of day on tour. But during Elevation, "Gone" emerged in a new light that shone brighter than many of the other songs that were played. Bono and The Edge strumming in sync on their guitars and the nearly electric vibe that appeared caused fans to gain a new appreciation for the energy-infused version.
1. "40" Group hypnosis is one of the only ways to describe what happens to a U2 crowd when the first few notes of "40" signal the end of a show. All grievances are forgotten; pain is checked at the door. The room grows silent, hands are held, and mouths start singing. Not just the band -- everyone. Bono will hold his mike to the audience and they will instantly comply in perfect tune with one another, "How long to sing this song?" And they will repeat it as the band exits the stage, after they've left the stage, and sometimes all the way to the parking lot. It's nothing short of magical. © @U2/Kokkoris, 2009.
|
|
|
||||||
|
||||||||
