Originally posted by Ali709:So I suppose the you are rock and roll bit is to go with him calling the country a sound of drums and bass, etc.
The way it would make sense to me is if we actually see it as a thematic connection with SOI and Volcano.
On Volcano, he was talking about his grief, and how we was alone, and joining the band, and their audience, he wasn't alone any more - he and the band became "rock and roll", making up for his grief.
American Soul's chorus could then refer to their fascination as a band with America and fits well with their TJT mindset - then using the same lyrics sort of makes sense, i.e. his journey within the band and overcoming the grief continued onto America and looking for the American soul.
Of course, the other explanation is that he just went "fuck it" and used the same lyrics
But it shouldn't require that much thought to be a good song. It should be able to stand on its own, and it can't. Despite the chorus leading back to the first verse, it's still fucking terrible and there could have been a way more elegant and clever way to make that point. And again, how can Bono criticize Bad and Streets and think this stuff is okay? He talks as though he's constantly improving his writing and how his old stuff was amateur, yet I know teenagers who have written more inspiring lyrics than these. He's off his rocker when it comes to this stuff. But it's odd because the verses of GOOYOW are pretty great lyrically in his phrasing and word play. He's all over the map.
