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  1. I am afraid to say, I completely agree and to save myself from pretty much copying and pasting what Sergio said I'll offer an alternative view:

    "I think 'Like A Song' was addressed to the critics who didn't really get what we were about, who thought we weren't really punk enough. That's a subject that comes up again and again because people really do fall for this rebel thing. It's such a cliché. It made some kind of sense in the '50s and '60s. Against a conservative backdrop, that punk attitude had real meaning. Now a lot of it is just dressing up."
  2. I pretty much completely agree with Sergio on this song, it's about rebels retorting to violence and the fact that violence ain't exactly a good way to solve anything.

    Sergio left this out of his thoughts:

    Let the bells ring out
    Let the bells ring out


    I'd say "the bells" are church bells ringing on someone's funeral. Bono is so angry that he just says to the rebels to "let the bells ring out"="let them die, let yourself die". He's stating the horribleness of what they're doing to them, to hopefully make them think about it one more time.
  3. I don't agree with that sentiment: "Bells ringing" generally indicate peace and jubilations (weddings etc.).

    Funeral bells "toll", as in: "for whom the bells tolls."
  4. Oh, well, I guess it's open for interpretation. So you're saying you thing it means something like "Let there be peace"? That doesn't really fit I think.
  5. Originally posted by iTim:I am afraid to say, I completely agree and to save myself from pretty much copying and pasting what Sergio said

    THEM. It says "them" in both my vinyl and CD sleeves.

    (You can see a pic of the vinyl here: http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/7441/las1z.jpg ).

    Moreover, it makes more sense. A song is singular, I sing a song, I sing it... The words are plural, I bring the words, I bring them.
  6. I just copied U2.com's lyrics.

    I haven't read the review yet; you guys won't influence me.


  7. Whilst I completely agree with the lesson on English grammar, you can't deny the fact that Bono sings a word that resembles it more than it resembles them.
  8. Originally posted by iTim:[..]
    Whilst I completely agree with the lesson on English grammar, you can't deny the fact that Bono sings a word that resembles it more than it resembles them.

    I listened again and can't do anything but agree.

    Moreover, the booklet and U2.com say Bono sings 'There's a few things I need you to know, three', but it's pretty clear he sings 'there is three things'. (that's Breathe for those wondering)
    By the way, that fact could be very interesting: 'there is three things' is incorrect English as far as I know. He refers to the Holy Trinity. One.
  9. Originally posted by Mr_Trek:Oh, well, I guess it's open for interpretation. So you're saying you thing it means something like "Let there be peace"? That doesn't really fit I think.


    It can only mean that, otherwise Bono would be asking a funeral to be held by saying:
    let the bells ring out
    Which he wouldn't and if he wanted to he would use the word toll.

    Have a listen to the aural difference in bells at either a funeral or a wedding. That difference is obvious. The words used (toll vs ring) make the same distinction. Mobile phones ring. Doorbells ring. Peace bells ring...A funeral bell tolls. Jingle bells do not.

    You might also want to think about the oxymoron: the clanging chimes of doom. (lyrics by Geldof, not by Bono)

    So yes, Bono is asking for peace in this song, even if it is a song about conflict. The entire album is about conflict, internal and external, and despite that, there are love songs and (religious) songs of comfort on the album.

    BTW SBS, Seconds and Like a Song *are* rebel songs, Bono's claims in concert notwithstanding.
  10. Maybe you're right, you have the edge because I believe you speak English natively. I still prefer my interpretation in the context of the song though.
  11. Discussion for Miss Sarajevo starts tomorrow
  12. Is there a time for keeping your distance
    A time to turn your eyes away
    Is there a time for keeping your head down
    For getting on with your day

    Is there a time for kohl and lipstick
    A time for cutting hair
    Is there a time for high street shopping
    To find the right dress to wear

    Here she comes
    Heads turn around
    Here she comes
    To take her crown

    Is there a time to run for cover
    A time for kiss and tell
    Is there a time for different colours
    Different names you find it hard to spell

    Is there a time for first communion
    A time for East 17
    Is there a time to turn to Mecca
    Is there time to be a beauty queen

    Here she comes
    Beauty plays the clown
    Here she comes
    Surreal in her crown

    Dici che il fiume
    Trova la via al mare
    E come il fiume
    Giungerai a me
    Oltre i confini
    E le terre assetate
    Dici che come fiume
    Come fiume...
    L'amore giunger
    L'amore...
    E non so più pregare
    E nell'amore non so più sperare
    E quell'amore non so più aspettare

    [Translation of the above]
    It's said that a river
    Finds the way to the sea
    And like the river
    You shall come to me
    Beyond the borders
    And the thirsty lands
    You say that as a river
    Like a river...
    Love shall come
    Love...
    And I'm not able to pray anymore
    And I cannot hope in love anymore
    And I cannot wait for love anymore
    [End of Translation]

    Is there a time for tying ribbons
    A time for Christmas trees
    Is there a time for laying tables
    And the night is set to freeze
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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.
U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.