My brother's passing and Are You Gonna Wait Forever

jphelmet · 10-05-2007, 11:37 AM

My best friend and brother who is 15 months younger than me (and only 29) passed away on Aug 18 in a car crash. He was a huge U2 fan due to a large part because of me always playing them. He saw several shows with me. As I have thought about lots of memories and different things, it strange the songs that keep coming to memory and how their meaning has changed for me because of his passing. One of his favorites was In A Little While and it now takes on the "joey ramone gospel meaning" to me now. The other one that has really changed and seems to much deeper is Are You Gonna Wait Forever. It was my brother's favorite song from the Bomb.

My brother was going through a tough time before his death, but he had really started to turn it around. He was Christian whose faith was so strong, and despite the 'obstacles' he always held fast to the idea of grace. Anyway this song seems to be a really deep and comforting song now, when I used to see it only as simple pop song. My brother, Jed, found himself and his identity in Jesus Christ, and I see that in this song. Maybe its not what Bono intended when he wrote, but its comforting to me now.

I also see it as all the things I put off, I can't wait around for anymore. We are not guranteed a long time on this earth.

I'm rambling, but I really am taken a back all the time by U2 music and lyrics. I always seem to see things new all the time through their songs that help comfort.

All the obstacles in my way now
They’re disappearing every day now
I’m getting closer, we’re getting closer to home
It won’t be long ‘til the summer comes

Are you gonna wait forever
Are you gonna wait forever

Getting out from under my bed now
Gonna say the things I should’ve said now
Getting closer, getting closer to what’s true
Gonna find myself in you

Are you gonna wait forever
Are you gonna wait forever
Are you gonna wait forever
Are you gonna wait forever

There’s no one there behind their eyes
They’re in the business of beautiful lies
We keep the promise ‘cause we don’t know how to break it

The furniture you can rearrange
Don’t trade your dreams for some small change
Guard the flame, or better, leave it naked

Are you gonna wait forever
Are you gonna wait forever
Are you gonna wait forever
Are you gonna wait forever
How, how, how
Or is it now, now, now
Or is it now

coemgen · 10-05-2007, 11:53 AM

Wow.

Sorry to hear about your brother. It's cool he had a relationship with Christ and it's neat you have these great songs, as well as your countless memories of him, to keep you going. I'll be praying for you and your family.

God bless.

JCOSTER · 10-05-2007, 12:44 PM

Very sorry about your brother, I hope you can find peace in the memories the both of you've shared.

MrsSpringsteen · 10-06-2007, 08:37 AM

That's a beautiful post, I'm so sorry about your brother

last unicorn · 10-06-2007, 11:54 AM

Beautiful post, thank you for sharing. I'm so sorry for you and your family.

U2isthebest · 10-06-2007, 11:04 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about your brother! He sounds like he lived a "grace-full" life though! I'll be praying for you and your family! You've got a whole community here if you need any of us.

BonoVoxSupastar · 10-07-2007, 12:01 AM

Sorry about your brother...

blm · 10-13-2007, 10:31 AM

So very sorry about your brother.
Hope knowing there are others who share the feelings and hope for peace for you will help you through the years ahead. Finding comfort in U2's music is something many of us share, in the same and different ways.

julesz · 10-26-2007, 06:15 PM

"My best friend and brother" those simple words and the words that followed REALLY touched me tonight, i am so sorry for your loss and am so moved by your take on the lyrics.
I've always felt there is a beautiful community around this forum and what is U2 but this one really does it big time. In my own way (though it feels small compared to this) i am going through a very painful crisis, i want to move towards love but have to go (like so many of us) through things that test every nerve and sinew, so when i saw the lyrics for the first time to "are you gonna wait forever" i was profoundly moved just when i needed it (guard the flame or better leave it naked, wow) and i haven't even heard this song yet from Bomb, is it on the US album version? not on UKs.
Thank you, i suspect your words reverberate far further than you imagine,may your brother live in peace and love forever
Jules

rihannsu · 10-27-2007, 02:33 PM

It's from the Bomb sessions but was not on the album.

Dana

julesz · 10-28-2007, 04:42 PM

Thanks Dana, how do i get ahold of a copy, is it on ebay

U2isthebest · 10-28-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by julesz
Thanks Dana, how do i get ahold of a copy, is it on ebay

It's avaliable on iTunes! It's part of the Complete U2 boxset, but you can buy it individually as well, at least in the U.S.

rihannsu · 10-28-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by U2isthebest

It's avaliable on iTunes! It's part of the Complete U2 boxset, but you can buy it individually as well, at least in the U.S.

Post your email and you might get a surprise.

Dana

U2isthebest · 10-28-2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rihannsu

Post your email and you might get a surprise.

Dana

I've got it already. Did you mean to quote julesz?

memorymotel · 10-28-2007, 09:12 PM

I'm so sorry about your loss. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

10-05-2007, 11:37 AM	#1
jphelmet War Child Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: cumming, ga usa Posts: 667 Local Time: 05:57 PM	My brother's passing and Are You Gonna Wait Forever My best friend and brother who is 15 months younger than me (and only 29) passed away on Aug 18 in a car crash. He was a huge U2 fan due to a large part because of me always playing them. He saw several shows with me. As I have thought about lots of memories and different things, it strange the songs that keep coming to memory and how their meaning has changed for me because of his passing. One of his favorites was In A Little While and it now takes on the "joey ramone gospel meaning" to me now. The other one that has really changed and seems to much deeper is Are You Gonna Wait Forever. It was my brother's favorite song from the Bomb. My brother was going through a tough time before his death, but he had really started to turn it around. He was Christian whose faith was so strong, and despite the 'obstacles' he always held fast to the idea of grace. Anyway this song seems to be a really deep and comforting song now, when I used to see it only as simple pop song. My brother, Jed, found himself and his identity in Jesus Christ, and I see that in this song. Maybe its not what Bono intended when he wrote, but its comforting to me now. I also see it as all the things I put off, I can't wait around for anymore. We are not guranteed a long time on this earth. I'm rambling, but I really am taken a back all the time by U2 music and lyrics. I always seem to see things new all the time through their songs that help comfort. All the obstacles in my way now They’re disappearing every day now I’m getting closer, we’re getting closer to home It won’t be long ‘til the summer comes Are you gonna wait forever Are you gonna wait forever Getting out from under my bed now Gonna say the things I should’ve said now Getting closer, getting closer to what’s true Gonna find myself in you Are you gonna wait forever Are you gonna wait forever Are you gonna wait forever Are you gonna wait forever There’s no one there behind their eyes They’re in the business of beautiful lies We keep the promise ‘cause we don’t know how to break it The furniture you can rearrange Don’t trade your dreams for some small change Guard the flame, or better, leave it naked Are you gonna wait forever Are you gonna wait forever Are you gonna wait forever Are you gonna wait forever How, how, how Or is it now, now, now Or is it now

10-05-2007, 12:44 PM	#3
JCOSTER Get On Your Boots!!! Premium Gold Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upon a rock. Posts: 13,124 Local Time: 05:57 PM	Very sorry about your brother, I hope you can find peace in the memories the both of you've shared. __________________ Catching your bright blue eyes in the freeze frame I've seen them so many times I feel like I must be your best friend

10-06-2007, 11:04 PM	#6
U2isthebest Aurora Rain Premium Gold Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A Storm In Heaven... Posts: 10,247 Local Time: 05:57 PM	I'm so sorry to hear about your brother! He sounds like he lived a "grace-full" life though! I'll be praying for you and your family! You've got a whole community here if you need any of us. __________________ "After the flood, all the colors came out."

10-07-2007, 12:01 AM	#7
BonoVoxSupastar Blue Crack Addict Premium Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: between my head and heart Posts: 20,565 Local Time: 04:57 PM	Sorry about your brother... __________________ my music Why is it that the one's with the most closed minds have the most opened mouths?

10-26-2007, 06:15 PM	#9
julesz Babyface Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 20 Local Time: 10:57 PM	THANK YOU JP "My best friend and brother" those simple words and the words that followed REALLY touched me tonight, i am so sorry for your loss and am so moved by your take on the lyrics. I've always felt there is a beautiful community around this forum and what is U2 but this one really does it big time. In my own way (though it feels small compared to this) i am going through a very painful crisis, i want to move towards love but have to go (like so many of us) through things that test every nerve and sinew, so when i saw the lyrics for the first time to "are you gonna wait forever" i was profoundly moved just when i needed it (guard the flame or better leave it naked, wow) and i haven't even heard this song yet from Bomb, is it on the US album version? not on UKs. Thank you, i suspect your words reverberate far further than you imagine,may your brother live in peace and love forever Jules

10-05-2007, 11:53 AM	#2
coemgen Rock n' Roll Doggie Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Black and White Town Posts: 3,612 Local Time: 04:57 PM	Wow. Sorry to hear about your brother. It's cool he had a relationship with Christ and it's neat you have these great songs, as well as your countless memories of him, to keep you going. I'll be praying for you and your family. God bless.

10-06-2007, 08:37 AM	#4
MrsSpringsteen Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: at the movies Posts: 18,335 Local Time: 05:57 PM	That's a beautiful post, I'm so sorry about your brother

10-06-2007, 11:54 AM	#5
last unicorn 100% Bono-gamous Premium Gold Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: the enchanted realm of the purple U2nicorns Posts: 7,167 Local Time: 11:57 PM	Beautiful post, thank you for sharing. I'm so sorry for you and your family.

10-13-2007, 10:31 AM	#8
blm Refugee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: north and south of bono Posts: 2,182 Local Time: 05:57 PM	So very sorry about your brother. Hope knowing there are others who share the feelings and hope for peace for you will help you through the years ahead. Finding comfort in U2's music is something many of us share, in the same and different ways.

10-27-2007, 02:33 PM	#10
rihannsu Refugee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 1,012 Local Time: 05:57 PM	It's from the Bomb sessions but was not on the album. Dana

10-28-2007, 04:42 PM	#11
julesz Babyface Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 20 Local Time: 10:57 PM	Thanks Dana Thanks Dana, how do i get ahold of a copy, is it on ebay

10-28-2007, 09:12 PM	#15
memorymotel Babyface Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Jersey Posts: 12 Local Time: 06:57 PM	I'm so sorry about your loss. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

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