My personal history with U2 started when I was in the 9th grade. I was 15, I think. I remember the first U2 song I heard - it was "Pride (in the name of love)". Like with all U2 songs, I did not like it in the beginning. Then, I could not stop listening to it over and over. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship over the years.
It has always been like this. First time I listened to a U2 song, I would think 'What in the name of Merlin's saggy bottoms have they come up with? How much not sober were they really?' And then, I start humming along. And then I start humming it without hearing it on the radio or whatever, just because it got stuck in my head. And in a good way. Always in a good way with U2. Which I interpret as a sign that I kind of like them.
I admit that U2's 'wanna do good' attitude is sometimes not that easy to swallow. I suspect that is because one might not expect preaching from entertainers, and also being told what to do, because this is of course good, almost instantly has as reaction the less reverential line ending invariably with 'off'. BUT, in these times in which selfishness is promoted as a virtue, and shallowness is a way of living, some moralising and reminding sympathetic ears that there are other things in life worth their time and putting their existence into perspective, like justice, greater good, the environment and poor people in remote corners of the world being exploited by ruthless profit making corporations. Due to U2, I have heard about governments like those ruling over Tibet and Myanmar who tell the entire world to sod off and keep on doing whatever they like, which in theory sounds great (name just one country who would not like to say that to the great US of A ...), but somehow, this is not all that right, is it now? Anyway, I am glad that someone takes time to do stuff like that. And yes, I have heard a zillion times that when you are rich, you can afford to preach eradicating poverty and profess charity, but this is normal, isn't it? When you are not content with your life and/or in need of vital things like food and shelter, the wellbeing of your neighbour hardly makes your priority list, doesn't it now? I'd rather listen to and follow Bono and his mates than that fart-head Liam Gallagher who trashes U2 and Coldplay for their charities and thinks he's better because he likes a 'bit of fun' and confesses he g sot high on some 1 million pound worth of drugs. Never ever liked that w**ker, even less, if possible, after he said that.
I digress, as usual.
What I like about U2 is that their music describes moments in life as you, me, them, anyone with a higher than two digits IQ can have. And since I am talking about how much I like them, I will continue in first person from now on.
I did things in the name of love, not sure where my pride was in all that, but after all that, it is still intact. I get stuck in a moment, more oft than not, and I can't get out of it, not by myself - ain't love the sweetest thing? I had at least one beautiful day, I walked on and keep doing it, I did find desire and ONE even better than the real thing to whom I can say 'All I want is you', I felt numb in a city of blinding lights where the streets have no name, I found out that sometimes you can't make it on your own, with or without you, been in a discotheque, known vertigo...
I like U2 because they are simple and yet oh, so complicated. Because they have put instances of truth into simple words, like 'nothing to win and nothing left to lose'. Because they are cool, and somehow get cooler with time. Because even though Bono is the definition of coolness, he still is not cool for his teenage kids, he is boring like any other dad. Because they reinvent themselves every time you think you have nailed them down to one genre. Because their music is not dateable. Because they don't get themselves too seriously while being rather serious about whatever they do. Because their music can make me laugh and cry. Because they give the most awesome, mind-blowing concerts.
I don't fancy myself going to sit up front, next to the stage, at any concert, not even a U2 concert. But I will most definitely go see them again next tour.
