I was at the concert. I'd never seen u2 and they definitely didn't disappoint. What was disappointing was that I was one of the only people in the crowd who knew the words to the songs...or at least the people in my general area. It would have been awesome to get everyone behind them. I was belting away with Bono though. It was pretty amazing. Edge was in form. It was just fucking fantastic.

 

It was funny, cause at one point Bono tried to get the crowd going, but most of the people had no idea about the song...and it peetered out. I want to watch this on tv later, or hopefully just see a taped version at some point (you gotta believe they'll find a way to sell this - id definitely pay), because the awkwardness was unbearable.

 

All in all just tremendous. I wish I could have seen U2 with some real U2 fans around me, but as it was I'm pretty happy. I got to see The Edge do work, and that was pretty fucking brilliant.

 

(haha sidenote: wasn't just there cause it was a concert. been a legit Obama fan since '04.)

 

Glad you had a good time. I watched the whole thing on television and, in my opinion, you are correct. The energy at that event was weak, but it was not just for U2. It just seemed like the whole event lacked any enthusiasm. I was disappointed. I am a huge Springsteen fan, too. I thought his performance was nothing special.

excellent report plus the same happened to me on Coldplay hwne people knew only lyrics of Viva

Considering the cold day it was, and the fact that this was open to the general public, who come from widely varied backgrounds, it was all in all pretty good! I thought Bono and U2 did very, very well, and in some ways had to "prove themselves" to the audience, which boosted their performance. Spring or summer, it would have been a much more active crowd, me thinks[[@@]]

Considering the cold day it was, and the fact that this was open to the general public, who come from widely varied backgrounds, it was all in all pretty good! I thought Bono and U2 did very, very well, and in some ways had to "prove themselves" to the audience, which boosted their performance. Spring or summer, it would have been a much more active crowd, me thinks[[@@]]

GET ON YOUR BOOTS

 

Ok so the song has hit the internet. It's available on US iTunes. It better be a grower...cause im not feeling it.

 

Is bono really trying a hip/hop lyric...?

 

Edit: wow left out the link. http://goyb.u2.com/

this first single is embarassing

this first single is embarassing

I agree. Sounds like like they took their shittiest song, ate it, and shit it back out again

I have only listened to it once. but it doesn't sound bad to me.

vertigo is a classic compared to this new one.

even the title is ridiculous

wow thats different

It is very different, but I actually like it.

hahaha. wow. a little extreme now.

 

there are tons of things happening at once in this song, besides the rock quartet thing they've had going on for the last two discs.

 

-processed drums

-that skittering synth in the background

-handclaps on the & of 3

-the opening messy-as-hell drum fill

-the bell tone effects in the "sexy boots" bit

-sounds like they gave bono an acoustic and mic'd it during the chorus, and it's actually an important part

-the vocal harmonies in this song are, hands down, the most interesting and exciting uses of harmony they've had. there may be more complicated harmonies (I can't think of many, but ok), but none of them have been used in the integral way this song does.

-there are three vocal hooks. The "Sexy Boots / Get on your boots," "You don't know how beautiful you are," "Let me in the sound" - so those who say this is typical U2, I'm trying to think of the last time I heard a U2 song and couldn't immediately say, "oh, this is verse-middle 8-chorus repeat". wait, Zooropa.

-swagger

-a sense of humor

-a sense of something exciting being made

 

there's a million things going on. it feels like listening to U2 update itself on everything it's missed over the past 9 years or so. it feels like going to school with them. it may sound reminiscent of U2, but there is nothing calculated about this single, unlike "vertigo" or "beautiful day" - which are both good, but just feel like they are made for iPod commercials, for commercial appeal.

 

this is a big, excitable, honest song. really hard not to like it.

Sounds interesting so far!

I hope I'm wrong, but I guess this new album will be the little brother of Pop.

this first single is embarassing

 

shame we cant take you seriously

I hope I'm wrong, but I guess this new album will be the little brother of Pop.

 

I wouldn't mind that :P

 

It does sound very Pop-ish though I agree.

To call it embarrassing is stretching it. i mean it isn't that bad, it's certainly more poppy. in fact i can't wait for the release as for me i didn't like some of their last albums, this for me sounds ok. if its march the third that isn't to long to wait.

It's...not what I expected...

I LOVE IT :-D

 

-Jesse-

I'm looking forward to hearing it in the context of the rest of the album.

To call it embarrassing is stretching it. i mean it isn't that bad, it's certainly more poppy. in fact i can't wait for the release as for me i didn't like some of their last albums, this for me sounds ok. if its march the third that isn't to long to wait.

 

sounds like justin timberlake song produced by timbaland (even the title).

[and we are talkin about U2]

if this is not embarassing enough......

I'm not sure about the song yet... can't wait to hear the album

This is brilliant.

Its an awesome song. I loved it the first listen.

 

It has a new sound to it mixed with old U2.

It's okay! I hope it's a grower ;)