Tonight on #U2Week, it’s all about the “girl” songs. There are five songs – I know that’s a
bunch, but I have faith that you’ll get through it. These are songs that seem to be popular with many
heterosexual female U2 fans.
They’re mostly kind of mushy love songs, but with U2, they’re so much
better. Thoughtful. Complicated. In awe of the feminine side of the universe. Melodic and rhythmic and interesting
and you need to sit down to listen to them because your knees are be getting a
little weak. And if they ever
actually played any of them live, you might melt into a puddle on the
floor. They’ll always be my
grown-up boy band.
This post is dedicated to my lovely U2 friend Tasha Hindman,
who I haven’t seen in far too long, and with whom I spent much time during the
Elevation Tour discussing our dream set list. At the Baltimore show in 2001, she gave me an actual
cassette mixtape of our list. My
choices may have changed slightly since then (or just expanded with each new
album), but I still have it, and it’s one of my favorite things. Thank you friend!
First, is a highly underrated, stunningly beautiful song
from the War album – “Drowning Man.”
“I’ll cross the sky for your love.” I mean, come on.
Everyone’s part is spectacular.
And they were in their early 20s when they wrote it! Unbelievable.
Next is “Heartland” from Rattle & Hum. About the American Heartland, it’s kind
of a love letter to the United States, and the road trip they took while on the
Joshua Tree tour. They’re pretty
darn adorable in this video. Those
drums. Those howling vocals. Sigh…
“Dawn changes everything…”
The next one is (in my opinion) the standout of How To
Dismantle An Atomic Bomb – “A Man And A Woman.” I very clearly remember the first time I heard it. I was at an old job, and I had bought
the album on my lunch break the day it came out. I was at my desk, and I could only partially pay attention
because I was busy. Then this song
came on, and it was like, “Stop the press, what is THAT?”
Bono and Edge performed it at a ceremony honoring The Clinton
Foundation in 2011, but other than that, they’ve never performed it live. The lyrics are among Bono’s best. I love the little “Sweet Caroline”
snippet too – “How can I hurt when I’m holding you?”
And Adam’s bass playing is beyond. He recently said that this and Heartland are two of his
favorite U2 songs, and he has forever won my heart because of it. And since he has a strong feminine
side, it proves my theory.
This song is dedicated to Rob Wanenchak, who absolutely hates it – haha! It’s a great song Rob – stop fighting it!
“The soul needs beauty for a soul mate
When the soul wants, the soul waits…”
The next song is a super rarity – “Stateless.” This is on the soundtrack of a film
called The Million Dollar Hotel, for which Bono co-wrote the screenplay. I never got around to seeing it (it
might be terrible). Pre-crazy Mel
Gibson and Milla Jovovich are in it.
But the soundtrack features U2 and Daniel Lanois, so you can’t go wrong
with that. And this song – I am
telling you right now – you need to hear it.
“I've got no home in this world
Just gravity, luck, and time
I've got no home in this world
Just you and you are not mine”
“The Crystal Ballroom” was an instant fan favorite on the
deluxe version of the new album.
It’s one of the best songs they’ve ever written, about a club in Dublin
where they used to play, and where Bono’s parents used to go on dates. I don’t know why it’s not on the actual
album; maybe it doesn’t quite fit.
They’ve only played it twice on tour so far, but we’re all reeeeally
hoping they play it more.
Bono said in an interview that “Girls like ‘Crystal
Ballroom.’ They like to dance.”
Which is totally true for me.
I don’t really know what’s going on in the video, but it is quite
enjoyable to watch.
My favorite lyric from the song describes how I feel about
their tour, and life right now – all good.
“Born for bliss,
Born for this…”
#YearlongMixtape
#U2Week
#TheGirlSongs
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