Gotta agree and quote Bono here, from this album's "Acrobat": "And I'd join the movement If there was one I could believe in Yeah I'd break bread and wine If there was a church I could receive in."
I wonder if this is about a relationship with a woman or a relationship with God. Afterall 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' and 'Without You' among others of there songs are about his relationship with God.
@@David-iv6je Even though 3 of the 4 members have been born-again Christians since high school they have always done a good job making their songs spiritual rather than religious.
I was heading toward divorce when this song came out. I remember just sobbing when I heard it. That's ancient history now, but this song still makes me cry.
Yeah...caught between two lovers. This had just come out and I felt like listening to it was like the conversations I'd been having with them. Amazing lyrics. Sublime tone/feel.
I was a huge fan in the early 80s. Saw them on the War tour three weeks after they filmed the live at red rocks video. They did some good stuff from Joshua Tree on, but little of it holds a candle to those early albums raw energy-wise.
The Joshua Tree album was one of the finest albums ever made, a very unique record for the 80s. It was an antidote to the excesses that were going on in the decade. How how do you not use Joshua Tree as a blueprint for the next studio album? It would have been very easy for the band to succumb to that success and many fans were expecting it. Achtung Baby was a left turn and risky proposition for the band but I'm glad they did it. This is a great album with a great sound. It really set the stage for the music that followed in the 90s. The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby is peak U2. The music still holds up to this day.
You can say whatever you want about U2. You can like them or hate them, but those Irish boys make some beautiful music, especially in the 80s/90s. They were cranking out the hits! And Bono doesn't get enough credit for his songwriting. The man is a poet. U2 4-Ever.
I appreciate that you picked up on "we get to carry each other" instead of "we've got to carry each other". It's one of my favorite lyrics. It's a privilege to have someone to support and love, not an obligation. Such beautiful songwriting.
@@jmo2160 Disagree. This propensity of people immediately wanting to point people towards a cover of a song before the figurative “ink” is even dry on a reaction/review video as if its soooo much better is so tired and absurd. Especially considering the fact that 99% of the time the cover isn’t better. To be clear I’m not saying its bad. Its not. Its good. But its not better. I understand thats subjective to an extent. But when all-time great songs are covered by other artists, for people who say “the cover is better than the original!!!” it better be slam-dunk jaw-dropping reality. This isn’t one of those cases. Not even close.
If U2 died in 2000ish, they would be viewed so differently than they are now. They were so good. Brilliant in the studio. Even better live. In a way, with them its kinda the inverse dynamic which exists with artists/public figures like Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, JFK, RFK, James Dean, etc. Those people all tragically died at/near their peak. Frozen in time in everyone’s mind. Whilst they all were deserving of the praise they received, their legend tended to outgrow their reality(e.g. James Dean was only ever in 3 movies… yet people talk about him like he’s one of the greatest actors ever). Whereas with U2 we’ve witnessed the decline. We’ve witnessed them become the caricature of themselves. We’ve witnessed the divisive political/social issues. Therefore the negative current perception really drags down the reality of how great they actually were.
I was a U2 super fan right through Achtung Baby. Then, something changed & I just couldn't listen to their stuff anymore. My sense is that as my musical tastes became more refined, U2 was steadily becoming - as you so rightly said - a caricature of themselves. I don't doubt their sincerity even today, but irl they're multi-millionaires who waded into the ugliness of realpolitik. For me, U2's blend of earnest "can't we all just get along" political naivete & big donor-driven charity capitalism has aged their more recent music like milk.
I saw them in 05 as a sophomore in high school. My bf at the times parents were going with another couple who had to cancel last minute. I was like basically “sure I guess.. it’s free”. They were AMAZING live. Even had Kings of Leon as opening act. My bfs dad had pictures with all these people like Bush Sr, Reagan, etc because he managed a hotel. But he had framed tickets from seeing Zeppelin and Floyd (among others) when it was small 500 people venues. I went to as many concerts as possible all the time back then. Saw Live Aid 2, Shinedown, Velvet Revolver, etc. now it’s so goddamn expensive !
@@goreyfantod5213 I think that's right. I remember hearing Bono say on one of their live albums, "Am I bugging your? I didn't mean to bug you." about some political point he was trying to make. His disrespect for his fans instantly soured me like the milk you speak of.
@@adrianstevens2146 "Silver and Gold" on the Rattle and Hum album. I thought that song was a great statement both musically and politically. Of course he knew he was stretching the envelope to some of their fans, but no doubt he also felt he had to make his points. The song was about South Africa and at the time, apartheid was still completely in force and what's more, Washington was a leading backer of the Pretoria regime (he doesn't say that openly but it's kinda hinted). Nelson Mandela was still a prison inmate at the time. To Reagan the ANC was a bunch of rabid c0mmie terrorists, which was a grossly unfair description, and this stance made it hard for any other NATO governments to openly support the fight against apartheid. The song is perfectly fine by me, and I think that line, "Am I bugging you? Don't mean to bug you..." is also a way of acknowledging that he was going out of his way for a minute pr two. After he adds "Okay Edge, play the blues!" the Edge rips into a solo that's both powerful and concise - and can be seen as a description of the civil war people feared might be looming in the future. Back then in 1987, no one could know if South Africa was going to manage a peaceful transition away from apartheid or whether civil war was inevitable.
It really is. I just love the Fly and Zoo Station. So industrial, and such a confident, strong way to open a new album after the major success of Joshua Tree. Just made my jaw drop at the time.
Spot on. Just before it was released, I remember reading a preview where they quoted Bono as saying “the new record is going to be the sound of us chopping down the Joshua Tree”. He was right. Its impossible to overstate just how much of a departure this record was from everything they had done before in every imaginable way(artistically, thematically, musically, performatively, etc). It took guts. But changing it up paid off because thats one of the main reasons they’re one of the only 80s bands to maintain/expand their level of production and acclaim through the 90s.
First saw them live on TV in late 1981 - I remember watching that particular programme, but I don't remember them in particular, they just played two songs or something... ;) Next time was a little over three years later - a superb live concert filmed by West German TV and broadcast over most of western Europe. That was a great show and both my brother and me were very impressed (of course, by then we already knew who they were).
I remember when I was 13 years I won tickets to watch U2 in concert in Paris- couldn't have asked for a more memorable night for my first time in France, they were amazing
Legendary producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno produced this record. The band co-writes. Since the Edge was going through a divorce at this time, it feels like this is about him. Bono is married to his girlfriend from high school. He and Ali celebrated their 42nd anniversary this year. I've probably been to 50 concerts or more. I even saw the baby faced U2 twice in London in the early 80s. But I can honestly say the Zoo TV tour to support this album in 1992or3 was spectacular.
Wow, thanks! I never knew Lanois and Eno were involved. That explains a lot to me about this record's sound, which I noticed even back then. I love U2 but I think Eno and Lanois are basically musical genuises. Putting them together with this band, something incredible was bound to emerge!
You nailed it with your comments about The Edge. A HUGELY underrated guitar god. He isnt going to blow your mind with Hendrix/Plant style riffs, but as his career progressed, he became a master at knowing exactly what sound would complement not only Bono's singing, but also the great rhythm section of Clayton and Mullins. Hard not to respect the career those guys have had. I've always been a huge fan of the band. They are amazing live.
I remember when this cd came out. I had been given the tape to Joshua Tree by my parents when they went on vacation to Ireland. All the kids in school thought it was cool I had the actual Irish cassette. I bought Achtung Baby the day it came out and played it. This 50 or so minutes I just kept staring at the speakers and the cd cover in disbelief. It is among the most beautiful things I have every heard in my life and I still get chills when I listen start to finish, today. I am actually welling up a bit just banging out this comment.
It was U2 but I remember how different it sounded. The band had entirely reinvented themselves yet retained their identity. Achtung Baby is one of the greatest albums of the 1990s. It is such a marvel of amazing songwriting.
Next is "New Years Day," from the early period. You often overlook the spectacular early periods of iconic bands who made it so big much later in their career.
This song was played at many wedding receptions. People made the mistake that this was a love song. Apparently, they only read the title and didn't listen to the song. It's anything but a love song.... "Did I disappoint you Or leave a bad taste in your mouth? You act like you never had love And you want me to go without"
Actually, it is a love song. Not all love songs have to be positive. This is about a love that has ended and is therefore still a love song. Also, I believe this is about his relationship with God rather than his relationship with a woman. Many U2 songs are about their relationship with God. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and Without You are just two of the more well known ones.
@@Dreyno Thank you! I have had to hide my laughter at so many weddings.... As George Carlin said, "Think of how stupid the average person is…and realize half of them are stupider than that.” Great lyrics though and a cool mellow song. U2's best.
This song is a good example of how gen xers and older millennials really thought humanity was going to unite and rise in the 90s. The music was telling us it was our time. The world was going to get better. And we were feeling it. And then....... crash. Most notably, 911. And here we are. World on fire. Lots of disappointed and jaded hearts.
I remember that feeling and my acute awareness of the sentiment during a moonlit night with an old girlfriend. I felt like we were on our way to a better place, one that was all our own apart from prior generations. It all turned out to be an illusion.
@@kevinlee149 Was it an illusion? Or have we seen the natural progression of western society derailed by dark money, dark forces and tinpot strongman politics? Simple answers to complicated problems and the continuous accumulation of wealth by a small oligarchy who are now so wealthy we’re afraid to tax them fairly.
@@Dreyno Its the human condition irrespective of society. All systems eventually breakdown and fail. New generations come and think they can change things for the better but in "fixing" one thing other issues /new issues creep in. Doesn't mean all is vain, things change but how we interact in our personal relationships is more lasting generation to generation and much less "fad" like.
This album was really amazing. Most bands would have passed their sell-by date by this time, but then they come out with Achtung Baby. An album with no filler songs. Awesome.
I totally LOVED Andy's big smiles! This is a beautifully-crafted song. The lyrics and the slow musical build to, "Love is a temple...you ask me to enter, but then you make me crawl..." So much heart. (eta: another great observation by A&A...until now I never consciously noticed, "We *get* to carry each other". They're right, it should be a privilege)
Speaking of "the Edge" and his guitar work... you two should watch the documentary "It Might Get Loud", where they bring three generations of guitarists together for a bull session talking about their technique and influences. Its Jimmy Page, Edge and Jack White. The edge has a discussion on the effects he plays his guitar through, with a demo of straight to the amp, and then through the effects board where the U2 sound is made. Any guitarist will love this doc.
There are A LOT of people who say this is the greatest rock song ever. I'm not sure I agree, but it's way, way, way up the list and belongs in the discussion. It's a very mature expression of emotion and thought in addition to being musically unimpeachable. One of my absolute favorites for certain.
When this album came out I was you guys age...it also inroduced what the 90s...the wall had fell, the grittiness of the times (and there was this new gritiness)..rt before grunge but this record signaled this new thing. It is by far imho the greatest U2 album. "One" is an amazing and so sad. Love is Blindness - amazing. And of course the story of Jesus and Judas - Until the End of the World. I was blessed to see the band play April 7th , 1992 in Houston...the most moving show I ever went to. As I recall this song was written around the Edge's marriage breakup.
Achtung Baby is the album that they played straight through during their residency at The Sphere in Vegas and I was lucky enough to see it and it was such an amazing experience. One of my favorite shows I’ve ever seen
When this album came out after the very different" Rattle and Hum" it was a complete departure and gamble by the band. Nobody knew if it was going to be a hit or a flop. If it would've flopped it probably would've been the end of U2. You had to be there, but when you first put this album on your cd player and "Zoo Station" came on, your first thought was that something was wrong with the recording, the cd, your speakers your headphones or your head. It took many listens for you to realize that this was revolutionary in the way the Beatles record pushed boundaries or the Stones records sounded weird until they didn't. The genius of producers (Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno) and engineers (Flood, Steve Lillywhite) is not to be underestimated. Extraordinary album for its time and beyond. You should do the aforementioned "Zoo Station", "Even Better than the Real Thing", "The Fly", "Until the End of the World" and "Whose Going to Ride Your Wild Horses" next.
S tier all day long on this one. This might be my favorite song of theirs, with "New Year's Day" running a close second. Check it out. Welcome to U2 gentlemen. One of the greats. it's Bônō.
U2’s first three albums, while solid, all had the same sound. They then hired Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois to produce a string of albums, The Unforgettable Fire, Joshua Tree, this one, and others that each had their own sound. That’s very hard to pull off without losing chunks of your fan base but they did it. Very impressive.
A deep cut treasure by Bono is “Miss Sarajevo.” He wrote it after reading about a beauty contest in Sarajevo in the midst of the Bosnian War. Bombs were falling nearby during the contest. And Pavarotti brings you to tears.
Indeed, Luciano is amazing... But don't underestimate Bono. His solo effort in the Vertigo tour - especially in the Milan performance - will knock your socks off.
My brother still listens to them for atleast a decade now. He always used to play them in the car, but I always thought they were mediocre at best, and this was when I was around 10. Now that I’am 18, U2 is probably one of the most original and creative bands I’ve ever heard. Just from this song along, it gives me chills and a weird sense of inspiration. Really would want to go back to my young naive self and try giving them a second chance.
While Edge can do some crazy front man guitar, he's always preferred listening to the song, and filling in what's needed. In the documentary It Might Get Loud, he explains how he believes there are two types of guitarists, and neither is right or wrong, but I think he wants others to remember the song, rather than a solo.
Proud of you, A & A. As you've progressed in your musical exploration of the whole universe of popular music, not just what's out today, you've grown in appreciation of what really good music is, its diversity, its authenticity, its diverse instruments, voices and genres. You've become less judgemental and more open, even if something isn't quite your cup of tea. (A very good thing.) BTW, I suggest you give things that didn't grab you on first listen another chance, to see if over time your perspective may have changed. And the more you can evangelize REAL music to your peer group, instead of the heavily autotuned, robotic, same-sounding, drearily unimaginable drivel of most of contemporary pop, the more power to you! Play some really good shit at any parties you host, because your peers aren't likely hearing it.
Saw them on the Achtung Baby tour incredible! Outside at Saratoga racetrack! Still one of the best concerts ever! Bono brought people on stage to sing to and dance with! Awesome!❤️
Speaking of MUST HEAR Albums,, Formed in Manchester,, England in 1982,, This album would be certified gold in the U.K. & U.S.,, James "Laid" Album..They would support,, open & tour with Artists like Neil Young & Duran Duran..A really strong album from the beginning to the very end..Also,, Their lyrics are definitely worthy of special attention..One of those albums that the more you listen to it,, The more you like/appreciate it. 🔥❤️🔥
English soldiers shooting 26 UNARMED protesters & killing 14,, Is the inspiration,, story & power behind U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday",, A truly powerful classic.
This CD is the best of the best by U2. Their lyrics are so engaging and original they sucked you in with the entire CD. I have to say that ONE is my favorite even liked the video they have on YOUTube.
This song came out when I was 28. Now I'm 60 and that phrase "carry each other" really hits hard. That's what my wife and I do. We piss each other off and then we forgive and forget.
Their debut album, Boy, is one of the most extraordinary debut albums from any band in the history of rock/pop music. I'd check out I Will Follow and Electric Co. Pure unadulterated euphoria.
Saw them on this Achtung Baby tour, Saratoga racetrack, still one of the best concerts Ive ever seen! Bono brought people on stage to sing to and dance with! One of their best!❤
This album was a quantum leap forward for the band that seemed impossible at the time! The first time I heard The Edge guitar....I Will Follow........I was completely hooked. Just always stunning and soul piercing and beautiful.
