Jesus couldn't turn into a fire engine.
Who is Bono?
Who is Bono?
Bono is the instant karma of the spirit of Frank fucking Sinatra.
Bono is love, peace and harmony. Bono is celebrity hack yacking in the prime minister's ear about freely negotiated debt.
Bono is the hooker with a heart of gold. He's also the rick prick that charges you $150 to see the greatest band in the land. Bono is one quarter of U2.
Bono is the dude that wrote that song you danced to at your wedding that you didn't realise was about a couple breaking up. Bono is the guy that wrote Desire. Bono is better by design. Bono is what Chris Martin will never become.
Bono's bad mood is Radiohead. Bono can be that kicking squeeling gucci little piggy.
Bono is a bluer kind of white.
Bono took the vague from Las Vegas and replaced it with MacPhisto. Bono is the singer in a rock n roll band.
Bono hears ridiculous voices.
Bono won't be come a minister in order to defeat a monster. Bono is Paul Hewson. Bono is not the Walrus, that was the other Beatle. Bono has the right shoes to get you through the night.
Bono is Frank Sinatra's two shots of happy, one shot of sad.
Bono is living on The Edge.
Bono is a mother fucking Pope. Bono wants to be your political compass and conscious. Bono is nuclear free. Bono writes the lyrics.
Bono is the guy that drinks too much wine. Bono is a preacher man, sometimes the too preachy man.
U2's songs about the IRA
U2, Ireland and IRA - songs that explore 'The Troubles'
‘The Troubles’ is a common name for the Northern Ireland conflict which spanned generations as Ireland nearly destroyed itself as divisions along political and religious lines wrestled with each other’s version of how Ireland should be governed.
In general terms, Catholic Nationalists and Unionist Protestants found themselves engaged in a brutal war where car bombings and ‘knee-cappings’ became the norm. Paramilitary units such as those of the IRA killed with impunity and the British Army became a standard presence in the streets.
Many innocent civilians died as a result of some 1300 bombings, not to forget attacks on British soldiers.
There are no surprises then for guessing why U2 called their third album War.
Larry, Adam, Bono and The Edge all grew up in this era. They were children subjected and exposed to
The Edge has said that their songs are are ‘against violence as a tool for politics of any kind’
Let's start with arguably the most famous U2 song about Ireland.
Let's start with arguably the most famous U2 song about Ireland.
'Sunday Bloody Sunday' from War
The song's lyrics describe the horror felt by Bono’s character of who has been observing the Troubles. In particular, they are focusing on the 1972 Bloody Sunday incident in Derry where British troops shot and killed unarmed civil rights protesters and bystanders. The lyrics juxtaposed this terrible day in history with the murder of Jesus Christ on the cross.
This song became very popular and helped draw attention to the issues. As the band's popular grew, they used it to campaign against the Irish Republican Army's (IRA) efforts to raise money to fuel continued armed conflict.
This lead to the IRA sending a threat to U2 that if they continued their campaign, they would be kidnapped. U2 continued anyway and continued to bring attention to the Troubles.
What's very interesting about the IRA getting upset about a single pop song was the fact that the original lyrics contained the line '"Don't talk to me about the rights of the IRA, UDA'. Written by the Edge, the band as a whole felt such lyrics might be too inflammatory and where changed.
What's very interesting about the IRA getting upset about a single pop song was the fact that the original lyrics contained the line '"Don't talk to me about the rights of the IRA, UDA'. Written by the Edge, the band as a whole felt such lyrics might be too inflammatory and where changed.
This bit of self editing actually made the song better.
As the song became more popular, some listeners interpreted the song's meaning as being a call to draw the Irish people deeper into the sectarian battle. This was clearly an incorrect analysis of the song's lyrics and intent.
Once that issue was recognised by the band, Bono would often introduce the song with the as not being a 'rebel song'. If you listen to the live version recorded on the Live at Red Rocks album Bono says, "There's been a lot of talk about this next song, this song is not a rebel song, this song is Sunday Bloody Sunday!"
Some people thought the song was actually glorifying the Troubles and calling them deeper into the country's sectarian battle. On many occasions since its release on 1983's War, Bono has made it clear that this is not a "rebel song" or a song of the "revolution," but a song that defiantly waves the white flag for peace.
The inspiration for this song may also have in part been due to John Lennon releasing his own song in 1972 also called Sunday Bloody Sunday about the Derry slaughter. Lennon's lyrics were full of vitriol (mostly aimed at the British government) and hugely antagonistic.
The single cover for this song features the pictures of four Northern Irish politicians — Gerry Adams, David Trimble, Ian Paisley, and John Hume in a pointed effort to draw attention to the issues.
Described by the Edge as "the most bitter song U2 has ever written", Peace on Earth is yet another response by U2 to the Omagah bombing in Northern Ireland on 15 August 1989. The bomb set by a splinter IRD group known as the Real Irish Republican Army killed 29 people and injured a couple of hundred other persons.
'Please' from the Pop album
This song’s lyrics are blatantly about the troubles in Ireland. As the song slowly builds, Bono paints the picture, coloring the world in terms of religion and war colliding to the point where bombs are left in cars and as they are set up, that are the ‘sermon from the mount'.
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| Please single cover |
The single cover for this song features the pictures of four Northern Irish politicians — Gerry Adams, David Trimble, Ian Paisley, and John Hume in a pointed effort to draw attention to the issues.
This photo was a direct message to the political leaders of the Irish people to ‘get up of their knees’ and hasten the peace process which were grinding along slowly – to which Bono pointedly states ‘October, talk getting nowhere November, December Remember, are we just starting again’.
Bono also cleverly entwines the songs meaning to be ‘about a girl’ – so much so that if you aren’t paying clear attention to his words, you could be duped into thinking the song is simply a love song about an explosive relationship.
In many ways, Please is the sound of a U2 growing up from their Sunday Bloody Sunday era and offering a more grizzled, even more wizened approach to the issue.
Van Dieman's Land from Rattle and Hum
It's not a direct reference to The Troubles but Van Dieman's Land is an odd song dedicated to a Fenian poet named John Boyle O'Reilly, who was deported to Australia because of his bad poetry or more likely, his political leanings as espoused in the poetry.
Fenian is a coverall word used to describe the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood and more generally these days as anything Irish.
The song's lyrics were written and sung by U2's The Edge.
The song's lyrics were written and sung by U2's The Edge.
'Peace on Earth' from All That You Can't Leave Behind
The bomb was to express disagreement with the IRD’s formal ceasefire and the Good Friday Agreement which was a plan to forge a path to peace.
Bono refers to the names of some of the people killed in the bombing - Sean, Julia, Gareth, Anne, and Breda. He’s once more expressing his disdain for war and asking Jesus to tell those waging it that their real mission is peace on Earth but more than that, the song serves as a tribute to those that died. That they are bigger than the war that was being waged.
Bono refers to the names of some of the people killed in the bombing - Sean, Julia, Gareth, Anne, and Breda. He’s once more expressing his disdain for war and asking Jesus to tell those waging it that their real mission is peace on Earth but more than that, the song serves as a tribute to those that died. That they are bigger than the war that was being waged.
'The Troubles' from Songs of Innocence
"The Troubles", was described by Bono as "an uncomfortable song about domestic violence".
Bono is being somewhat cute with this statement as while domestic violence is often used to describe violence that can occur in the family home, Bono is also probably referring to The Troubles as being the domestic violence of Ireland and the clue to this is the deliberate title of the song.
If the song is seen context with the album it came from, it's very relevant to the actual Troubles. Songs of Innocence was about Bono and his band mates growing up and living during the actual Troubles. To include a song about domestic violence on the album and not have it also be a consideration of the troubles would be disingenuous of Bono.
Who is The Last Knight?
So we have a trailer for the 5th Transformers movie helmed by Mr Transformers Michael Bay. The trailer gives little about the plot but hints that another secret about earth and why the Transformers continue to return to Earth.
The key moment is the end shot where Optimus Prime takes down an attacking Bumblebee at which point he then asks for forgiveness as he stabs a blade from his arm into his friend. Is this a fake out or a key plot point?
We expect The Last Knight to be more of the same - giant robots beating the shit out of each other and we expect nothing else.
We're kind of hanging out to see Hot Rod (he better be as cool as he was in the cartoon movie) and also to find out what happened to Prime when he flew off into space at the end of Transformers 4. And of course, solve the incomprehensible mystery of why King Arthur appears to be in a Transformers movie.
The Top "Pauses" in Rock Songs - because sometimes stopping the music makes it better...
The Top "Pauses" in Rock Songs
Sometimes playing nothing at all can be one of the best things in a song.
What is this pause?
It’s a ‘violation of expectation’ used to build tension which in turn creates excitement for the listener.
Delaying an expected note in a song is a great trick that many guitarists, pianists and other musicians use - and when a pause is used in a song structure, the effect can be tremendous.
Popular music producers such as Bob Clearmountain have used them to such effect that the 'Clearmountain' is often referred to when talking about the pause!
It is an adage that 'silence is golden' and if that's the case, here are some classic songs that have some golden moments by way of a deliberate pause.
The first song in this list is the inspiration for this post - I was listening to it while on the bus and the pause made me sit up and pay attention:
Living on the Edge by Aerosmith from the Get a Grip album.
Check out this video that starts with a nude Steven Tyler holding his meat and two veges and ends with Edward Furlong sharing his sandwich with a bully. The pause is at about the 3.30 minute mark. The song is seemingly building to a big moment, yet the pause drops in which leads to a drum beat and then the big moment. It's brilliant.
Wonderwall and Don't Look back in Anger by Oasis from What's the Story (Morning Glory)?
Wonderwall is probably my favourite song. Every time I pick up the guitar I ending up chuck on a capo on the second fret and go for gold. And the golden moment in Wonderwall is the pause that comes just before the start of the second verse. At the 2 minute mark Noel Gallagher delays the strum of the Em chord to perfection which means when the chord chimes it's a piece of heavenly pop.
This next pause is perhaps a little bit of a cheat. Don't Look Back in Anger is Noel's signature tune. He sang it rather than Liam and it went to number one on the British charts. It also has a great little drum fill that starts just after the solo. It's the most briefest of pauses that you could count as a pause but the linking of the end of the solo and the drum fill 'feels' like a pause. Great song moment. Here it is at the 3.30 mark.
Everybody Hurts by R.E.M. from Automatic for the People
One of R.E.M.'s greatest singles, Everybody Hurts features Peter Buck playing simple arpgeggio chords and soaring vocals by Micheal Stipe. The song is about grief and death. So when the pause after the line "you're not alone" at the 3 minute mark, it gives you time to think, fuck, yes I feel sad, yes I feel glad, yes I loved that person or whatever it is you want to think.
When the arpeggio picks up right after, it almost feels like life has just given you a gentle nudge to say, you're still here, come with us, your hurting but you're not alone...
Closing Time by Semisonic from Feeling Strangely Fine.
One song that’s perhaps well known for its great pause is Closing Time by Semisonic (a band that should never have broken up in my opinion). Check out the pause just before the chorus at the 3minute mark.
Never Tear Us Apart by INXS from Kick
This song was apparently another Clearmountain pause. This is song has a very bold pause - it fits neatly between Hutchence's lyric and a dramatic guitar riff - and the drama of the song is surely created and added to by the pauses before the instrumental breaks.
Monkey Wrench by Foo Fighters from the Color and the Shape.
This classic Foos track has many many pauses. You could argue they are more due to the manner in which the guitar is played with a stop start feel. Whatever, here's the official video which features classic FF mischief and decide for yourself:
It is an adage that 'silence is golden' and if that's the case, here are some classic songs that have some golden moments by way of a deliberate pause.
The first song in this list is the inspiration for this post - I was listening to it while on the bus and the pause made me sit up and pay attention:
Living on the Edge by Aerosmith from the Get a Grip album.
Check out this video that starts with a nude Steven Tyler holding his meat and two veges and ends with Edward Furlong sharing his sandwich with a bully. The pause is at about the 3.30 minute mark. The song is seemingly building to a big moment, yet the pause drops in which leads to a drum beat and then the big moment. It's brilliant.
Wonderwall and Don't Look back in Anger by Oasis from What's the Story (Morning Glory)?
Wonderwall is probably my favourite song. Every time I pick up the guitar I ending up chuck on a capo on the second fret and go for gold. And the golden moment in Wonderwall is the pause that comes just before the start of the second verse. At the 2 minute mark Noel Gallagher delays the strum of the Em chord to perfection which means when the chord chimes it's a piece of heavenly pop.
This next pause is perhaps a little bit of a cheat. Don't Look Back in Anger is Noel's signature tune. He sang it rather than Liam and it went to number one on the British charts. It also has a great little drum fill that starts just after the solo. It's the most briefest of pauses that you could count as a pause but the linking of the end of the solo and the drum fill 'feels' like a pause. Great song moment. Here it is at the 3.30 mark.
Everybody Hurts by R.E.M. from Automatic for the People
One of R.E.M.'s greatest singles, Everybody Hurts features Peter Buck playing simple arpgeggio chords and soaring vocals by Micheal Stipe. The song is about grief and death. So when the pause after the line "you're not alone" at the 3 minute mark, it gives you time to think, fuck, yes I feel sad, yes I feel glad, yes I loved that person or whatever it is you want to think.
When the arpeggio picks up right after, it almost feels like life has just given you a gentle nudge to say, you're still here, come with us, your hurting but you're not alone...
One song that’s perhaps well known for its great pause is Closing Time by Semisonic (a band that should never have broken up in my opinion). Check out the pause just before the chorus at the 3minute mark.
This is the song that has what’s known as the 'Clearmountain Pause' - Semisonic's producer Nick Launay is quoted assaying “we had to have our mastering engineer, Bob Ludwig, create the pause by stretching the existing pause, layering it, making it as long as he could.
Thereafter, we referred to that part of the song as the “Clearmountain Pause.”At shows over the next few years, the pause got longer, and longer, and longer until it was a musical piece unto itself.”
Love Shack by The B52s from Cosmic Thing
Tiiiiinnnnn rooooffff PAUSE rusted !!
Thereafter, we referred to that part of the song as the “Clearmountain Pause.”At shows over the next few years, the pause got longer, and longer, and longer until it was a musical piece unto itself.”
Love Shack by The B52s from Cosmic Thing
Tiiiiinnnnn rooooffff PAUSE rusted !!
That's pretty much all you need to know about this classic song. Katie Pierceson delayed enunciating 'rusted' oh so perfectly about a seemingly nonsensical line about the shack.
Rust never sleeps, I guess.
River of Dreams by Billy Joel - River of Dreams
I loved this song when it came out. It was catchy as anything and it still is - and its 4 second pause is perfect.
Coming off a funky jivin' feeling the listener is left thinking, "where did that good stuff go?" and is rewarded very well when rescued with 'in the middle of the night".
Closing Time's pause also inspired a book chapter in A visit from the Goon Squad by author Jennifer Egan which features famous pauses in rock songs. Check it out.
River of Dreams by Billy Joel - River of Dreams
I loved this song when it came out. It was catchy as anything and it still is - and its 4 second pause is perfect.
Coming off a funky jivin' feeling the listener is left thinking, "where did that good stuff go?" and is rewarded very well when rescued with 'in the middle of the night".
Closing Time's pause also inspired a book chapter in A visit from the Goon Squad by author Jennifer Egan which features famous pauses in rock songs. Check it out.
Never Tear Us Apart by INXS from Kick
This song was apparently another Clearmountain pause. This is song has a very bold pause - it fits neatly between Hutchence's lyric and a dramatic guitar riff - and the drama of the song is surely created and added to by the pauses before the instrumental breaks.
Monkey Wrench by Foo Fighters from the Color and the Shape.
This classic Foos track has many many pauses. You could argue they are more due to the manner in which the guitar is played with a stop start feel. Whatever, here's the official video which features classic FF mischief and decide for yourself:
The Look by Roxette from Look Sharp!
Any one who's looked at my CD collection will know there are a few periods of musical fandom I'd prefer the world didn't know about but I am certainly not ashamed to say I LOVE Roxette.
And luckily for this article, they've got a great pause in their breakthrough smash, The Look.
I warn you, this video is terribly dated and was probably actually terrible when it first came out. Ah, the 80's.
Any one who's looked at my CD collection will know there are a few periods of musical fandom I'd prefer the world didn't know about but I am certainly not ashamed to say I LOVE Roxette.
And luckily for this article, they've got a great pause in their breakthrough smash, The Look.
I warn you, this video is terribly dated and was probably actually terrible when it first came out. Ah, the 80's.
Bless...
Here's some honorable mentions that you may wish to check out:- Faith By George Michael - The best bit of this long player is the awesome organ introduction but the pause is pretty good. Play it on your properly tuned acoustic guitar and decide for your self.
- Paint it black by The Rolling Stones - A quick and simple one - after the classic snake like sitar riff there's a slight delay before Charlie Watt's drums kick the song into life.
- Purple Rain by Prince from the Purple Rain Soundtrack
- March of the Pigs by Nine Inch Nails from The Downward Spiral - listen to the but where Trent Reznor sings "and doesn't it make you feel better" and you'll know what I mean.
- Supervixen by Garbage from Garbage - this is a song that's commonly singled out as having a great pause - while the band of super producers are rocking out, Shirley Manson is a seething rage of total bitch and then it just pauses.
There you have it, the best pauses in rock songs. Did you agree? Got anything else to add? Leave your interesting or creative comments in the section belllloowwww as RWJ would say.
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