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Post by sarah on Nov 19, 2009 7:49:56 GMT -8
True confession is good for the soul.....
I just don't get the appeal of Bono and U2. Yes, I have liked some of the songs, and I think it is great that he is involved with global rights. However when I hear him speak and give interviews there has been something really off-putting to me about him that I can't put my finger on.
It is vaguely similar to the "hot guy" syndrome. He knows he is hot so becomes increasingly less attractive the more time you spend with him.....
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Post by robin on Nov 19, 2009 8:30:40 GMT -8
Wow! Thank you for posting this Sarah. I agree, but have chosen not to say anything because I figured that I would be the only one who did not understand what the attraction was. I have never considered Bono to be hot, therefore I don't think I'm susceptible to the "hot guy syndrome". He also seems to me to be a man of average intelligence. I don't mean that is an insult either. I'm just not blown away when he speaks. But hey, different stroke for different folks.
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Post by Josh on Nov 19, 2009 13:17:58 GMT -8
Heresy. Blatant heresy.
Expect the inquisitors to come stop by your house tonight.
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Post by christopher on Nov 19, 2009 19:27:01 GMT -8
So...who's bringing the stones on Sunday? We are in the OT so I think we can get away with a good ole' fashioned stoning. But honestly, although I do like the band and enjoy much of the music they've produced, I think I would agree about the disproportionate amount of hoopla surrounding these boys.
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Post by b on Nov 19, 2009 21:06:45 GMT -8
U2 are Christian, Irish, Rock Stars. They were big while I was a teenager, and have used their celebrity status to help some of the neediest people in the world. These are all things that should make me a fan.
I respect them, however, I must confess that I very rarely get excited about their music or social gospel. I just get the impression that they are up on a pedestal and I can't relate personally to most of the music, or the U2 hype.
I have similar feelings about the Beatles, many other bands, and Tom Hanks
The stoning will be hard on my body, but the confession is good for my soul
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Post by Margot on Nov 19, 2009 23:09:09 GMT -8
Oh-oh, here comes another one....creeping out of the closet... In my family, saying you are not a U2 fan is right up there with denouncing the Faith. Way back when, in the days when U2 was just cool--instead of uber-cool like they are now--I used to crush Paul by howling away in accompaniment to "Red Rain." (By the time I was through with the chorus, it sounded a lot more like "Ba-a-a-a-d Pain!!") I too respect many of the things Bono is willing to shed light on. I think he is a strong speaker, but, the music has never moved me the way it does so many others. I'm also not too comfortable with the whole sunglasses-glitz thing. Don't really know why. ---I'd write more, but The Boys in my family have the pitchforks out and they are getting ready to torch my computer, so I had better go...
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Post by Josh on Nov 20, 2009 3:14:24 GMT -8
Geesh. Pick up a rock and you find all sorts of bugs that should never see the light of day I have to say, though, that if you didn't get captivated by U2 during either the Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby then there's really no hope for you. I would advise those who "don't quite get it" to either watch Rattle and Hum or U23D before resigning yourself. BTW, I say all this, but you've got to understand that U2 isn't even in my top 5 list of musicians. I really like them, but I don't LOVE them.
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Post by sarah on Nov 20, 2009 8:39:25 GMT -8
3:14 am Josh, really? I am sorry you were so tormented by our mass confession that you were languishing in your bed unable to sleep!
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steve
Advanced Member
Advanced Member
Posts: 93
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Post by steve on Nov 20, 2009 13:39:28 GMT -8
I'd like to weigh in on this: Aside from being prolific musicians, Bono is one of the most poignant, poetic, prophetic (as well as several other words that begin with p) lyricists I have ever seen. Just let the following lyrics sink in: Green light, Seven Eleven, You stop in for a pack of cigarettes. You don't smoke, don't even want to. Hey now, check your change. Dressed up like a car crash Your wheels are turnin' but you're upside down. You say when he hits you, you don't mind Because when he hurts you, you feel alive. Oh, is that what it is?
Now I realise it's hard to derive any context out of a segment like that, but I wasn't trying to show the meaning, but rather the poetry and the uncanny ability to set a mood. The band's accompaniment walks in perfect step to the text filling you with the unmistakeable impression that you've just shared a moment with a few other people at other places on the planet. Bono's demeanor in public is intentionally mocking the high profile nature of being a rock star. That's why he constantly refers to himselfs as a spoiled overpaid musician. His entire sun glass-wearing tradition in a throwback to the album Achtung Baby where he first developed the character the fly. This character is an exageration of the high profile rock star and meant to reveal the sillyness of our culture worshipping such people. In this regard, he takes himself less seriously than anyone. He has rather exploited his popularity for the benefit of humanitarian causes. Hope your all doing well!
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Post by Josh on Nov 20, 2009 13:49:55 GMT -8
3:14 am Josh, really? I am sorry you were so tormented by our mass confession that you were languishing in your bed unable to sleep! Every night this week I've woken up at about 3:00 AM with back muscle spasms. It's been really fun. The only thing I can do is get up for about 20 minutes until they subside and then try to sleep again. steve wrote: . Steve, I think this sentence just about sums up one major element of U2's brilliance. Hadn't thought about it that way before, so thanks for that assessment. Oh, and good to point out those things about Bono's persona that most people aren't aware of.
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Post by Kirby on Nov 20, 2009 14:50:10 GMT -8
You have not seen many lyricists then.
It's all a matter of taste, people. We like what we like, and dislike what we dislike.
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Post by Josh on Nov 20, 2009 16:38:56 GMT -8
I don't know that I'd say art is all a matter of taste, but certainly that's much of it.
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Post by Margot on Nov 20, 2009 19:50:15 GMT -8
hmmm..I'm still ruminating on more words that start with "p".....
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Post by sarah on Nov 20, 2009 19:56:48 GMT -8
Every night this week I've woken up at about 3:00 AM with back muscle spasms. It's been really fun. The only thing I can do is get up for about 20 minutes until they subside and then try to sleep again. Hey, as long as you are up, can you stop by and feed Victoria for me? No seriously, I am sorry to hear that you are up at night. With the whole whooping cough thing, nights were by far the hardest. A humidifier, and raising the foot of your bed might help you be more comfortable.
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Post by sarah on Nov 20, 2009 20:01:29 GMT -8
oops, that would be head of the bed!
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Post by b on Nov 20, 2009 20:48:07 GMT -8
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Post by rbbailey on Nov 21, 2009 0:17:23 GMT -8
Go listen to a few hours of the other hits that were coming out of the mid-1980's, get yourself all sick on them. Then put in The Joshua Tree, and try to imagine hearing it for the first time as you rise out of the pop-gumball-mire of all the other stuff you were listening to, and then you will realize why U2 is still the mega band that they are.
But, I also get the critiques.
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