Search - U2 :: Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own Pt.2

Sometimes People Just Don't Have A Heart to REALLY Listen...

Sherry Underdown | Saint Charles, MO USA | 02/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't believe most of the reviews that I have read for this single. This is by far one of the most honest U2 songs off of their new CD.



I think sometimes people just don't have a heart to really listen to the lyrics--it's really sad that too many people think U2 has "sold out"--obviously these are the fans who are not truly U2 fans. REAL U2 FANS STILL SEE THE ART AND THE PASSION IN U2, AND MOST OF ALL IN THEIR LYRICS...This song is as personal as Bono has ever been with his lyrics-- it is for his father Bob who had passed away in August 2001.



Like one good review stated:

"It's a declaration of love and longing and respect for someone that obviously had a great impact on Bono and his music."



On a personal note, my father passed away of lung cancer in 1991 when I was only 19--I can relate to Bono's lyrics. You come to a point in your life when you realize that who you see in the mirror everyday is a reflection of your parent(s). I can remember going through the rough teenage years, and how I always argued and fought with my father. I am so VERY blessed to have heard my father's last words to me be, "It's okay." He said these words to me after I told him how sorry I was for treating him during my teenage years. There's no better way to express how you feel about someone who has had such a major influence in your life than to write a song for them. In fact, I have written a song for my father, as well as 3 poems in his memory. It's also very respectful that during the 2005 Grammy Awards, Bono thanked his father publicly for giving him the gift of singing.



And another review really caught my attention from the following:

"I find it very pathetic that people can't get past a band's "commercial success" and actually listen to the music. I seldom find that comments about a band being "sell outs" hold any merit. Do people who say such things really like music or are they just trying to be cool? Yes Pink Floyd are great and so is the song "When The Tigers Broke Free", but does this band have exclusive rights to grieving for a father in an "artistic" way? You are comparing apples to oranges my friend. I do find it ironic that you would pick Pink Floyd as a comparison. Some long time fans of the band might say that their album and later released movie "The Wall" was the band's "sell out" period...(I wouldn't of course since I love both album and movie)."



U2 as sell outs-- I THINK NOT... if any one are sell outs it's these so called U2 fans who are now making these comments about the band being sell outs...I have been a U2 fan since 1984--and I know why they have lasted for so long is because they have talent and honesty in their music unlike so many other bands who have come and gone.



By the way--who sold more tickets in 2001, U2 or N'Sync? U2 did. Ticket sales for U2 was $109.7 million, and N'Sync was only $86.8 million. Too further add-- which group is still together? U2, of course--and the band has been the same four members since their first recording "Boy" in 1980. That's 25 years of U2.



I will leave you with a very well-stated sentence from the book, "U2, The Complete Guide to their Music" by Bill Graham & Caroline van Oosten de Boer-- at the bottom of page 31 to the top of page 32 it is written:

"'And you give and you give and you give yourself away', Bono sings, caught in that peculiarly suspended state of ego loss where love can dissolve the sense of self. Somehow I could never quite understand why he was so regularly accused of egotism when so many of his lyrics concern egolessness."



U2 & Bono "selling out"-- I think not. Open up your ears, and think with your hearts and not with your eyes and what you see in the media. Sure U2 has an Ipod, and etc.--- but the music is still real--and most of all Bono is still honest in his soul.



EOM

U2 forever;

The Bono Freak

St. Charles, MO



"

What's wrong with you guys?

Jonny K | NJ, baby! | 02/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Obviously, all of you that are writing these negative reviews haven't heard the song, or at least haven't heard it in its entirety. No, it's not Streets. It's not One. But it's pretty good. In fact, it's more than pretty good. I can't think of many of people out on the market that can write a song like this with such personal ties, but still able to be understood by anyone with someone in their life that they love. Just remember, it's a song. Not a book, not a master's thesis. It's a declaration of love and longing and respect for someone that obviously had a great impact on Bono and his music. If you want to rant about how U2 has sold out to corporate America and commercialized its music, I can understand your sentiments, but it has nothing to do with the music. Regardless of what money is changing hands where, this is a strong band, with a strong purpose, and an immeasurable ability. Never forget that."

This song is what it is, great!

Luis Fernando Medina | Los Angeles, CA | 02/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All these people are abviously not long time fans. This song is about his father. C'mon. If you guys would stop and listed to the words then you would get the message. Some people just want to hear the same thing over and over from the artist. Yes, this song is slow but it is a great song that makes you think. You are not gonna get a "with or without you", "If God would send his Angels, etc.." If you want that, then go listen to those songs. New album, new songs. Get over it."