The song that defines U2's sound?? - Page 4

kingofsorrow · 07-05-2009, 04:55 PM

Drowning man

VintagePunk · 07-05-2009, 06:20 PM

What I love about U2 is that I don't think they have a defining sound. While they may focus on a particular sound on any given album or in any era, over the life of their catalogue, they pretty much run the gamut.

zooropop40 · 07-05-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VintagePunk

What I love about U2 is that I don't think they have a defining sound. While they may focus on a particular sound on any given album or in any era, over the life of their catalogue, they pretty much run the gamut.

Exactly what I had in mind when I started this thread. U2 has no sound. they have many. A song and sound for every mood and state of mind.

hasin73 · 07-07-2009, 12:55 AM

Acrobat.

Acrobat51829 · 07-10-2009, 01:23 PM

I don't know this song really defines their sound so much as it seems to be the foundation for it, but I think Scarlet is one of the clearest and unmitigated examples of U2 at their most U2-ish. Each part that would later become essential to their sound collectively as a band is distinctly heard and identified: Larry's rolling drumbeats, the depth of Adam's bass, Edge's chimes, and the longing and confidence in Bono's voice. The result overall has that bittersweetness to it, joy and sadness at the same time, that I think lays at the heart of their bigger songs, the Streets and Prides.

The lyric is obviously most commonly read as religious, but i think it's still ambiguous enough to be read with any religious stigma attached to it - somewhat, I think, like the band. They've never kept their Christianity a secret, but they don't define themselves as a Christian band, and Bono keeps his lyrics to this day, for the most part, ambiguous enough to be read equally in any manner.

Overall, it's U2 at its most simplistic, yet at its most powerful, an unlikely combination that I think really defines the band.

Edge_Orchestra · 07-10-2009, 01:51 PM

"Where The Streets Has No Name"

Why?

Have you been to a show? That is why - the reaction it still gets from crowd. Many have said, as I, that they still get chills when they hear it.

The sound of it?

The short answer? Bruce said it best at the R&R Hall of Fame induction:
"The Edge, The Edge, The Edge!"

The longer answer? Adam's throbbing bass, Larry's military drums, Bono's passionate vocal and lyric and the 3-D sonic landscape that IS "The Edge, The Edge, The Edge"!

Quote:

Originally Posted by zooropop40

If you were to pick 1 song that would sum up all of U2's sound (as in all of their decades, emotions, atmosphere rolled into one), which song would you pick? If some one has never heard of U2 and wanted to understand their style, which song would you play for them to display U2's sound??

Here is my pick

Electrical Storm (This song encompasses all of their decades and styles rolled into one)

and a close second song that defines U2 for me is:

Magnificent (once again the anthem of the early 80's, the melodic sounds from the late 80's, the techno/ electronica from the 90's, and the pure rock of the 00's)

Which song defines U2 as a band for you?

monsieur fly · 07-10-2009, 07:17 PM

Uteotw

Harry Vest · 07-10-2009, 07:25 PM

bad!!!

BVS · 07-10-2009, 10:37 PM

I think this thread speaks for itself. Four pages of die-hards and no real consensus.

There is no one song.

Gonna Run 2 U · 07-11-2009, 08:52 AM

New Year's Day. Has everything that makes a U2 song. Passionate Bono vocals, Stern drumming, Awesome bass line (that pretty much just goes over and over), Edge on guitar and piano.

doctorwho · 07-11-2009, 12:24 PM

I would pick "Pride" as this contains many key elements from U2's career:

1) Edge's delay effect is in full force;

2) Bono's soaring vocals are on complete display (Edge said this was probably Bono at the top of his open throat vocal capability);

3) The lyrics are about MLK as well as martyrs in general - thus combining political and religious thoughts.

This is what makes this a classic U2 song.

"Magnificent' is a good second choice. It lacks some of the politcal aspects, but the vagueness of the lyrics is also a signature Bono move. It allows for a religious interpretation - which again is very U2 - but also for other possible meanings. The "disco" sound shows an updated style, brining in some of both the 90's and present day U2 sounds, while we still have soaring Bono vocals.

Some other great examples:

New Year's Day (greath rhythm section)
One (multiple interpretations)
Please (great example of a slower song, yet very political song)
Bullet and/or SBS (great example of a faster political song)
Vertigo (great example of modern punk sound)
I Will Follow (great example of old punk sound and the influnced of Bono's mother's passing on his music)
Beautiful Day and/or Crazy (great examples of U2's "pop" sound)
God Part II and/or Exit (great examples of some hard core rock U2)

That's enough.

tommycharles · 07-11-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zooropop40

Magnificent (once again the anthem of the early 80's, the melodic sounds from the late 80's, the techno/ electronica from the 90's, and the pure rock of the 00's)

The only thing it doesn't have, and this is quite crucial to it being an "ultimate U2 song," is a decent chorus. There's all this potential, and then we get "only love..." , which just ruins the entire song.

mickey · 07-12-2009, 01:13 AM

The only song I imagine I will never tire of hearing over and over again, regardless of version, live, studio cut or radio edit, is "New Year's Day".

It still sounds as fresh as Irish Spring - unfortunately, younglings around these corridors will neither understand my use of the reference nor, a feeling of that bleak political landscape that rests between two super-powers locked in bitter embrace.

bigjohn2441 · 07-12-2009, 06:40 AM

freedom for my people or drunk chicken/america

U2387 · 07-13-2009, 10:06 PM

Streets, Pride and Walk On have the sound that most people on the street most often associate with U2.

However, the 2 defining songs for their sound are New Year's Day and Magnificent, and for the reason that everyone else mentioned them.

That is of course why it is so baffling that magnificent was not a huge hit. Like NYD, everyone is sounding their absolute best, yet the stand outs are in the rhythm section. The pulsating, driving base and fast, militant drumming anchor a soaring Edge guitar and passionate Bono vocal. I really find alot of similarities between these 2 songs. With magnificent, it has a modern sound that brings in the 90s as well.

07-05-2009, 06:20 PM	#47
VintagePunk A Vampire Or A Victim Premium Gold Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In a dry and waterless place Posts: 47,467 Local Time: 08:04 AM	What I love about U2 is that I don't think they have a defining sound. While they may focus on a particular sound on any given album or in any era, over the life of their catalogue, they pretty much run the gamut. __________________ We've been through Some things together With trunks of memories Still to come We found things to do In stormy weather Long may you run.

07-11-2009, 12:24 PM	#56
doctorwho Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS Premium Gold Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: My TARDIS - currently located in Petaluma, CA Posts: 5,330 Local Time: 05:04 AM	I would pick "Pride" as this contains many key elements from U2's career: 1) Edge's delay effect is in full force; 2) Bono's soaring vocals are on complete display (Edge said this was probably Bono at the top of his open throat vocal capability); 3) The lyrics are about MLK as well as martyrs in general - thus combining political and religious thoughts. This is what makes this a classic U2 song. "Magnificent' is a good second choice. It lacks some of the politcal aspects, but the vagueness of the lyrics is also a signature Bono move. It allows for a religious interpretation - which again is very U2 - but also for other possible meanings. The "disco" sound shows an updated style, brining in some of both the 90's and present day U2 sounds, while we still have soaring Bono vocals. Some other great examples: New Year's Day (greath rhythm section) One (multiple interpretations) Please (great example of a slower song, yet very political song) Bullet and/or SBS (great example of a faster political song) Vertigo (great example of modern punk sound) I Will Follow (great example of old punk sound and the influnced of Bono's mother's passing on his music) Beautiful Day and/or Crazy (great examples of U2's "pop" sound) God Part II and/or Exit (great examples of some hard core rock U2) That's enough. __________________ *Random Images Are Fun!*

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07-05-2009, 04:55 PM	#46
kingofsorrow Refugee Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: empire de la mort Posts: 1,643 Local Time: 08:04 AM	Drowning man

07-07-2009, 12:55 AM	#49
hasin73 Acrobat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangladesh. Posts: 419 Local Time: 06:04 PM	Acrobat.

07-10-2009, 01:23 PM	#50
Acrobat51829 War Child Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 532 Local Time: 08:04 AM	I don't know this song really defines their sound so much as it seems to be the foundation for it, but I think Scarlet is one of the clearest and unmitigated examples of U2 at their most U2-ish. Each part that would later become essential to their sound collectively as a band is distinctly heard and identified: Larry's rolling drumbeats, the depth of Adam's bass, Edge's chimes, and the longing and confidence in Bono's voice. The result overall has that bittersweetness to it, joy and sadness at the same time, that I think lays at the heart of their bigger songs, the Streets and Prides. The lyric is obviously most commonly read as religious, but i think it's still ambiguous enough to be read with any religious stigma attached to it - somewhat, I think, like the band. They've never kept their Christianity a secret, but they don't define themselves as a Christian band, and Bono keeps his lyrics to this day, for the most part, ambiguous enough to be read equally in any manner. Overall, it's U2 at its most simplistic, yet at its most powerful, an unlikely combination that I think really defines the band.

07-10-2009, 07:17 PM	#52
monsieur fly War Child Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 562 Local Time: 07:04 AM	Uteotw

07-10-2009, 07:25 PM	#53
Harry Vest Refugee Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 2,239 Local Time: 07:04 AM	bad!!!

07-11-2009, 08:52 AM	#55
Gonna Run 2 U War Child Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 829 Local Time: 12:04 PM	New Year's Day. Has everything that makes a U2 song. Passionate Bono vocals, Stern drumming, Awesome bass line (that pretty much just goes over and over), Edge on guitar and piano.

07-12-2009, 01:13 AM	#58
mickey The Fly Premium Gold Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: canada Posts: 113 Local Time: 04:04 PM	The only song I imagine I will never tire of hearing over and over again, regardless of version, live, studio cut or radio edit, is "New Year's Day". It still sounds as fresh as Irish Spring - unfortunately, younglings around these corridors will neither understand my use of the reference nor, a feeling of that bleak political landscape that rests between two super-powers locked in bitter embrace.

07-12-2009, 06:40 AM	#59
bigjohn2441 Refugee Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mosquito HQ Posts: 1,350 Local Time: 08:04 AM	freedom for my people or drunk chicken/america

07-13-2009, 10:06 PM	#60
U2387 War Child Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 925 Local Time: 12:04 PM	Streets, Pride and Walk On have the sound that most people on the street most often associate with U2. However, the 2 defining songs for their sound are New Year's Day and Magnificent, and for the reason that everyone else mentioned them. That is of course why it is so baffling that magnificent was not a huge hit. Like NYD, everyone is sounding their absolute best, yet the stand outs are in the rhythm section. The pulsating, driving base and fast, militant drumming anchor a soaring Edge guitar and passionate Bono vocal. I really find alot of similarities between these 2 songs. With magnificent, it has a modern sound that brings in the 90s as well.