GEN
Active topics
U2 - Mercy
 Era:
2000-2009


  1. Im also a minority member of the fans of the new chorus. Sounded much better today with Bono on vocals and remembering the words


  2. Ahem, please explain what's so inane about it.

    It's bloody true - the vast majority of songs today have terrible lyrics - do you think otherwise?

    I have no idea why people get so angry when I simply state the truth, should I be less blunt in future?


  3. Yes, and Edge is more sensible than Bono, you can bet that "Sexy Boots' chorus in GOYB was Bono's idea.

    And yes, we are talking about lyrics not music (though frankly Edge is by far the most musically talented individual in the band)

    So does anyone have any ideas why Bono's writing has gone downhill since Pop? Does he think he has to try less to appeal to modern audiences? Has he just gotten lazy and doesn't spend as much time on them (or is too busy saving the world) or has he simply forgotten how to write good lyrics, or worse thinks his current writing is better?

    It certainly seems that he goes out of his way these days to include cringeworthy lines here and there. It's like actively bad writing, not just passively so - some of his older songs have had mediocre lyrics, but I cannot think of one pre 2000 song that has such hammy lyrics, not even Elvis Presley and America (which was made up on the spot)
  4. I like the original version better, but cool to hear them play it live.
  5. In my opinion, the original version had a really powerfull vibration and energy, and I think it's beacuse it's a song that grows up in a linear way till the end. There's no brute chorus or exacerbated lines in the middle of the song. The song starts slowly and it has a brilliant end after the amazing "feel nothing" screams of Bono and amazing chords by Edge. The new version ended up with all this magic, specially beacuse the "beacuse" part and poor chorus...
  6. Originally posted by AidanFormigoni:In my opinion, the original version had a really powerfull vibration and energy, and I think it's beacuse it's a song that grows up in a linear way till the end. There's no brute chorus or exacerbated lines in the middle of the song. The song starts slowly and it has a brilliant end after the amazing "feel nothing" screams of Bono and amazing chords by Edge. The new version ended up with all this magic, specially beacuse the "beacuse" part and poor chorus...


    Exactly, the original was a slow burner, once you start adding mid chorus tempo changes etc. you kill the mood and atmosphere of the song. It's not bloody GOYB or Glastonbury.

    The end of the original version was also great - the "I am alive, baby i'm born again and again" bit.
    I like how Bono sang the 'agains'.



  7. Originally posted by AidanFormigoni:In my opinion, the original version had a really powerfull vibration and energy, and I think it's beacuse it's a song that grows up in a linear way till the end. There's no brute chorus or exacerbated lines in the middle of the song. The song starts slowly and it has a brilliant end after the amazing "feel nothing" screams of Bono and amazing chords by Edge. The new version ended up with all this magic, specially beacuse the "beacuse" part and poor chorus...


    That is a good way to put it. I think of "Bad" in the same way. If "Bad" had some catchy chorus it wouldn't be the same song. The original "Mercy" just had this progression and dynamic to it that the new one doesn't have. For some reason I think of "Miracle Drug" now when I hear the new version. Granted, "Miracle Drug" is a decent song, but "Mercy" had more hope originally. With all that said...still glad they are playing new stuff live.



  8. Priceless.
  9. I don't think Bono's lyric writing has gotten worse? He's just singing about different things. How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb was the opposite of Boy, and I think some of the lyrics on that album are pretty amazing.

    If you want something more current, I think Every Breaking Wave has pretty awesome lyrics.
  10. Originally posted by vanquish:[..]

    Yes, and Edge is more sensible than Bono, you can bet that "Sexy Boots' chorus in GOYB was Bono's idea.

    And yes, we are talking about lyrics not music (though frankly Edge is by far the most musically talented individual in the band)

    So does anyone have any ideas why Bono's writing has gone downhill since Pop? Does he think he has to try less to appeal to modern audiences? Has he just gotten lazy and doesn't spend as much time on them (or is too busy saving the world) or has he simply forgotten how to write good lyrics, or worse thinks his current writing is better?

    It certainly seems that he goes out of his way these days to include cringeworthy lines here and there. It's like actively bad writing, not just passively so - some of his older songs have had mediocre lyrics, but I cannot think of one pre 2000 song that has such hammy lyrics, not even Elvis Presley and America (which was made up on the spot)


    I agree with you, at least 98%. There has been a definite uptick in actively awful, lazy lyrics since 2000. My personal theory (not based on anything other than speculation and observation) is that his life is too easy now, too sheltered, and for someone whose best lyrics have always come from his emotional experience, that's like a death sentence for inspiration. It happens.
  11. Originally posted by AidanFormigoni:In my opinion, the original version had a really powerfull vibration and energy, and I think it's beacuse it's a song that grows up in a linear way till the end. There's no brute chorus or exacerbated lines in the middle of the song. The song starts slowly and it has a brilliant end after the amazing "feel nothing" screams of Bono and amazing chords by Edge. The new version ended up with all this magic, specially beacuse the "beacuse" part and poor chorus...


    Exactly!
  12. Originally posted by grietim:[..]

    That is a good way to put it. I think of "Bad" in the same way. If "Bad" had some catchy chorus it wouldn't be the same song. The original "Mercy" just had this progression and dynamic to it that the new one doesn't have. For some reason I think of "Miracle Drug" now when I hear the new version. Granted, "Miracle Drug" is a decent song, but "Mercy" had more hope originally. With all that said...still glad they are playing new stuff live.




    Heard this one before?



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U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.
U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.