"In spiritual matters there really is no 'Third World.' It's all Third World."
- Dallas Willard
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
I thought I'd provide this space for U2 fans (like me!) and critics (like Billboy!) to post their thoughts, praise, criticisms, and questions about lyrics from U2's new album, No Line On The Horizon.
I'll start with a funny line from "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight":
Every sweet tooth needs just a little hit
Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?
I remember pulling into the parking lot at work yesterday, hearing the sweet tooth line and just cracking up.
I figured I'd start this discussion out on a lighter note, but feel free to post your thoughts, theories, and opinions on the heavy songs like "Moment of Surrender," "Cedars of Lebanon," et al.
Trackbacks:
Trackback URL: http://thinklings.org/bloo.trackback.php/5286.
Comments on "Let Me In The Sound!":
3. Manders
- 03/04/2009 11:37 pm CST
And "only love, only love could heal such a scar..."
When I was listening to the stream on their MySpace page, I didn't catch the "the" in front of "magnificent" in the bridge. Making that a proper noun definitely shifts the song a bit for me. "We will magnify The Magnificent"--I love that.
My roommate has gotten a bit irritated with the line "I was punching in some numbers at the ATM machine", just because "ATM machine" is something of a redundancy, but I tend to shrug it off just because that song is so freaking awesome.
4. Doug
- 03/05/2009 12:10 am CST
Love that line: "Stop helping God across the street like a little old lady."
The album is still growing on me. I'm sure I'll love it soon, but right now, I'm having to work into it. Bono's voice is showing some age; that has me concerned...I kinda' need him to be able to sing through alot more albums!
5. Bird
- 03/05/2009 7:02 am CST
Doug,
His voice has definitely changed over the years, but I think it's still strong. They have a deal with their current label for "several more albums" so I think we'll get a lot more out of them.
6. nhe
- 03/05/2009 7:10 am CST
Bird...."Calvinist"? - What about "I was born to sing for you - I DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE" - I think Bono may be the long lost little brother of RC Sproul.
"Cedars of Lebanon" is a little over-political for me, but I like the rawness of it.
"vision over visibility" is a great line in "Moment of Surrender"
"Unknown Caller" is by far my favorite song on the album - I love the lyrics "cease to speak, that I may speak" and the notion of God being the "unknown caller" that pops up on caller ID.....it also has my favorite melody on the album.
I've read a few blogs where people are asking if "Magnificent" is talking about God or a girl. Well, I guess we shouldn't be surprised - most people aren't coming to U2 for background music for their daily devotionals......even if they should be. :)
7. Bird
- 03/05/2009 7:22 am CST
The phrase "Cedars of Lebanon" came up at least 10 times in the ESV according my quick search.
Bono is a master of double meaning. I haven't quite wrapped my mind around "Cedars of Lebanon," but this line is interesting:
You're so high above me, higher than everyone
Where are you in the Cedars of Lebanon?
8. Daniel Ross
- 03/05/2009 7:48 am CST
Doug: That's the great thing about U2 albums, IMO. They aren't always immediately there and require some time to completely appreciate. That's one of the best kinds of music (again, IMO), when you have to dig a little.
10. Bird
- 03/05/2009 8:34 am CST
Bird - I'm missing the humor on the sweet tooth line - seems pretty straight forward?
I always suspected you were a robot.
11. Bill
- 03/05/2009 8:37 am CST
Bono is a master of double meaning. I haven't quite wrapped my mind around "Cedars of Lebanon," but this line is interesting:
Seems like a lament over modern-day war, an observation that we are often times defined by our enemies, and possibly even a shakes-fist-at-God "Where are you in all this horribleness, this sh---tty world". Hence the "You're so high above me, higher than everyone. Where are you in the Cedars of Lebanon?"
16. Shrode
- 03/05/2009 9:27 am CST
I'm a bad joker.
So was Cesar Romero, so you're in good company. 
17. nhe
- 03/05/2009 9:54 am CST
much better Bird.....it took some prodding, but my faith in your sense of humor is hereby restored........Comment 15 is, well "funny" - good job.
back to the album........I mentioned in the other thread.......we got "horns" in U2 - I thought that in a few songs I was transported into a Chicago album - that's a good thing. "White as Snow" and "Magnificent" have great brass instrumental sections - but they are too short!
Brian Eno - I know you read this thread - I have a fever - and it can only be cured by more French Horn!!!
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I liked what was on Sha's G-Talk status today:
That coupled with the following lyric has got me thinking Bono is a Calvinist: