Post by nocturnalquadruped on Apr 11, 2008 0:53:37 GMT 1
I had a look through the list of other bands that people said they liked and was surprised to find that only Lennonlegend mentioned U2. I got into U2 around the time they released the WAR album, about '83 I think and have followed them ever since. There are a few comparisons with The Beatles that I think are interesting and U2 are of course big fans. Both bands have the Irish link of course, the Beatles mainly being descended from Irish stock, U2 born and bred. Both bands had four members but were heavily reliant on the expertise of other people, i.e George Martin or in the case of U2 Brian Eno among others. Both bands were the undisputed leaders of the rock world in their respective generations. It was said of Sgt Pepper's that everyone who has heard it remembers exactly where they were and what was happening in their lives when they heard it for the first time. The same has been said of the Joshua Tree, released twenty years after Pepper's. Although Thriller was the biggest selling album, it now sounds dated (to me anyway) whereby Joshua Tree sounds as if it was released last week. U2 were also very outspoken when it came time to defend Lennons legacy from the likes of Goldman. On the Rattle and Hum album U2 recorded the track God II, in the sleeve notes it is dedicated for John Lennon and is a similar approach to Johns track, listing a pile of things that U2 do not believe in. With the following lyrics it was clear that Goldman was not going to smear the name Lennon without answering some very tough criticism.
Don't believe the devil
I don't believe his book
But the truth is not the same
Without the lies he made up
Bono continued with
Don't believe in Goldman
His type like a curse
Instant karma's going to get him
If I don't get him first
Also on the same album U2 released a live version of Helter Skelter, introduced as "the track Charles Manson stole from the Beatles and we're stealing it back," On achtung Baby's artwork Adam Clayton decided it was time to let the world know what his genitalia looked like, more in the style of Paul from the white album than John from Two Virgins, but even so, the link is there. Finally, as I have rambled enough, U2 have also recorded versions of Happiness Is A Warm Gun (although the song is barely recognisable) and more recently Instant Karma for the Make some noise CD. I think arguably they are past their best (watch them release their greatest ever album now I have said that) but are still worth listening to.
Don't believe the devil
I don't believe his book
But the truth is not the same
Without the lies he made up
Bono continued with
Don't believe in Goldman
His type like a curse
Instant karma's going to get him
If I don't get him first
Also on the same album U2 released a live version of Helter Skelter, introduced as "the track Charles Manson stole from the Beatles and we're stealing it back," On achtung Baby's artwork Adam Clayton decided it was time to let the world know what his genitalia looked like, more in the style of Paul from the white album than John from Two Virgins, but even so, the link is there. Finally, as I have rambled enough, U2 have also recorded versions of Happiness Is A Warm Gun (although the song is barely recognisable) and more recently Instant Karma for the Make some noise CD. I think arguably they are past their best (watch them release their greatest ever album now I have said that) but are still worth listening to.