This week, Killer Opening Songs has a very tough task. What track should it choose to highlight the career of one of the better rock and pop bands ever? Because when it comes to Introductory Melodies with Murderous Tendencies, U2 is second to none. Should K.O.S. choose 'I Will Follow' from the Irish band's debut album 'Boy'? Or how about 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' from their 1983 record 'War'? All excellent tracks, with a heavy mix of punk, Celtic folk and a sliver of new wave. But K.O.S. has made up his mind and Our Favourite Regular Session Dedicated to Lethal Opening Harmonies has plumped for what he believes to be the watershed in U2's recording career: 'Where the Streets Have No Name'.
Underpinned by a desire 'to tear down the walls/that hold me inside', the song explores the religious division in Belfast, Northern Ireland where both Catholics and Protestants were easily identified by the streets on which they lived. The Edge sets the tone from the outset with a succession of rapid notes if somewhat portentous whilst Bono's voice sounds like a plea ('I want to feel sunlight on my face/I see the dust cloud disappear/Without a trace/I want to take shelter from the poison rain/Where the streets have no name').
But this K.O.S.'s merit doesn't end there, in the melody itself. 'Where the Streets Have No Name' also ushers in three more tracks that are Killer Opening Songs in their own right. Any of the following tunes could have very well been used to announce the arrival of 'The Joshua Tree' album: gospel-influenced 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For', stadium anthem 'With or Without You' and bass-driven 'Bullet the Blue Sky'. With their fifth studio album, U2 had suddenly achieved the maturity they had craved for. More importantly, they had gone from being a very good live band - albeit, pretty average in the studio - to becoming a household name.
And the essential ingredients in their success were (are) their musicianship and fellowship. U2 remains one of the few rock groups that can still boast their original members. And despite being found more often these days supporting just causes or allegedly evading taxes in his native Ireland (note to lawyers, 'allegedly', I hope that's clear) Bono is still the ultimate front man. The Edge has been hailed by Rolling Stones magazine as one of the better guitarists in the world. Keeping a low profile, but being instrumental in providing U2 with a powerful backdrop, is bassist Adam Clayton whilst on drums Larry Mullen excels at serving militaristic beats every now and then ('Sunday Bloody Sunday').
There is no way that one Killer Opening Song can summarise U2's thirty-four-year-old career yet, 'Where the Streets Have No Name' deserves its place of honour in the Irish band's musical canon.
Copyright 2010
Next Post: 'Sunday Mornings: Coffee, Reflections and Music', to be published on Sunday 14th March at 10:00am (GMT)
Whenever I hear mention of U2, or listen to any of their songs, I am automatically transported back to the 80's. Understand, U2 is still performing, yes. But U2 became real for me when I was in high school, and those are the memories that immediately come to the forefront for me. "With or Without You" is one of those songs that just make me melt, and "Where the Streets Have No Name" is just Wow!!! And I don't care what anyone says about Bono... He Rocks!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd Cuban, you rock, too!
Nevine
Got to love U2 and Bono even when he does wear those pink shades that drive me crazy.
ReplyDelete"Where the streets have no name" is a classic as are most of their tracks. However, I agree with you that it doesn't and can't sum up their entire career. I couldn't pick just one of their songs myself..
Jai
Great stuff Cuban. It brings back memories for me, too.
ReplyDeleteI have misgivings about Bono based on misinformation and false impressions no doubt. It's good to have them challenged
I was a post-natal U2 addict, and Where The Streets Have No Name was definitely my favourite hit.
ReplyDeleteO, those days... It still sounds on my mind, all those distant words.
ReplyDeleteAs other Bono song claims "We lie / Another child has lost the race / We lie / Another time, another place / We lie / Your time, your price "
Oh Yes, preach Cubano. U2 is one of my all time favorite groups (behind the Police) and there are not too many of their tunes that would not mack a KOS in my book. "Streets" is a classic, bursting with drama but I love "In The Name of Love" even more.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your feedback.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
My hubby grew up listening to U2. That is how he thought himself to speak English by translating their songs into Croatian. Before I met him, I was immersed in Mexican music and I had never heard of U2 (then again I grew up in west Texas, all you get there is country music or tex-mex).
ReplyDeleteBy the way you changed your background color. Nice
Great choice, Cuban!! I have to confess that I missed most of the 80s, living in France with 3 little kids who kept me away from the outside world. I finally discovered U2 almost two decades later (unbelievable, I know) and love them, thanks to my youngest son.
ReplyDeleteBut it's never too late, and I'm making up for it now. Really enjoyed this post and second you choice.
Brilliant post, Cuban. For some reason I'm an absolute sucker for "Angel of Harlem".
ReplyDeletethanks for giving a little historical background on this one. Not knowing much about Ireland, I never knew what the phrase "the streets have no name" referred to. Nevertheless, loved the song. Joshua Tree is my favorite U2 album.
ReplyDeleteThanks for 6 1/2 minutes of U2..you can do my playlist anytime!!
ReplyDeleteusté siempre poniéndola buena, bro.
ReplyDeletei've away and busy, my man.
and btw, here it is... http://garrix.blogspot.com/2009/11/howell-evans-david.html
i mean... i've BEEN away and busy...
ReplyDeletesorry.
U2--grew up with them in the 80's--and they were fresh and vibrant and alive...raw with emotion and so young. They are seasoned now, and though I have enjoyed them all of these years, there is still nothing like the early years, the memories that those songs bring, and the electricity that those revolutionary songs provided.
ReplyDeleteJoshua Tree is quintessential and prime.
Thanks for the review and the overview! :)
Many thanks for your kind feedback.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.