Search - U2 :: Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horse

This was the song that got me into U2!

robynmh | Richmond, BC, Canada | 02/22/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"... and I feel so young and silly when I say that! But it really was "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" that acted as my catalyst, that made me discover the world of U2, all at the tender age of 12. Okay, enough sappy stories. On with the show!Personally I love this single because it reminds me of being 12 years old, when my fascination for U2 was in its primitive yet constantly-expanding stage. Here's my thoughts on each song:Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (Temple Bar Edit): This is the same recording as the Achtung Baby version, but it has been shortened to 4 minutes, as opposed to the 5 on Achtung Baby.Paint It Black: U2's attempt at recording the famous Rolling Stone song. It starts off with a very harsh sounding electric guitar from the Edge, followed by Bono's semi spaced-out echoed vocals. Larry's drumming is impressive as always, and his beats carry out the same flavour as the original Rolling Stones recording. Saying that, U2 aren't really trying to copy the original Paint It Black note for note, but they're not going down an original route either. I find that Bono's vocals sound a bit strained at times, especially during the end. The song would have been better if they edited out the ending as Bono's strained voice makes the final moments of the song sound somewhat painful. Otherwise? The song's fine.Fortunate Son: I think this is completely underrated and it amazes me how many people think it's terrible! U2's version of Fortunate Son is amazing! Instead of the medium-paced, country-twang rock song by CCR, U2 turns this song into fast, full-on ambitious blues-rock with attitude. We get a killer bassline from Adam (which is evidently present throughout the song), Edge's distinct guitar, Larry's upbeat tempo, and a daring harmonica solo from Bono. Bono takes the character of the blues musician and adds an extra raspyness to his voice. Even the female backing vocals add to the sonic depth of the song. Once again, this is less of a CCR song, and more of an adoptive U2 song from the Rattle & Hum era. I now find the original CCR version disappointingly boring compared to U2's version!Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (Temple Bar Remix): This is the version of WGRYWH that they used for the music video. You'll notice the clean, crisp piano, the acoustic guitar, and the completely different sounds during the bridge of the song. The bridge is where Bono sings "ahhh, the deeper I spin... ah-ah, the hunter will sin for your ivory skin", etc. Instead of the guitar on Achtung Baby, we're treated to a futuristic-sounding sequence of synth notes echoing in and out, fading into the next line. I actually prefer this version over the original. All in all, this is an excellent addition to anyone's U2 collection, especially if you're a fan of Rattle & Hum, acoustic U2 songs, or Achtung Baby."

"Well, you lied to me, 'cause I asked U2."

Andrew McCaffrey | Satellite of Love, Maryland | 06/09/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The single released for U2's "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" doesn't actually contain the original version found on the ACHTUNG BABY album. Instead, we are treated to two edits/remixes and two covers. Here are some short comments on each of the tracks:"Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (The Temple Bar Edit)" -- Structurally, this edit is similar to the original, album version. However, it forgoes a lot of the electronic noises in favor of a more straightforward guitar/piano sound. The album version works better alongside its ACHTUNG BABY companions, but this interpretation sounds better as a standalone song. This song isn't one that's overly powerful, but I find myself humming it for days afterwards. A nicely understated work."Paint It Black" -- A cover of the well-known Rolling Stones song. Comparisons to the original are unavoidable, and while this doesn't come close to achieving that power, it's an interesting version all the same. But Bono's vocals just don't have the same gravity as Mick Jagger's, and Edge isn't as forceful in his guitar playing as Keith Richards is. There's a reason why U2 isn't recognized as a cover band, although some of the stuff they do on this track isn't bad."Fortunate Son" -- A cover of the well-known Creedence Clearwater Revival song. Much more rhythmic than the original, and, again, not nearly as good. While CCR put a lot of passion and emotion into their song, this version just seems a bit limp and weightless. The female backing vocals are a nice touch, but just not enough to save this one. It's a pity, because I like some of the stuff they do on here. The guitar playing is pretty good, the rythmn section is putting out good beats, and I like the vocal track that Bono lays down. It ends up being far less than the sum of its parts, almost certainly because the original is just so familiar."Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (The Temple Bar Remix)" -- Virtually the same as the Temple Bar Edit version albeit slightly longer and with a few added synthesizers.Not one of U2's strongest singles, this is primarily a curiosity for hardcore U2 fans. The different versions of the title track are interesting and worth a listen, while the other two covers are fairly forgettable."

A loss of emotion...

Chris Thielen | Yakima, WA USA | 09/15/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' is and always will be one of my favorite tracks on the Auchtung Baby album. It's very honest, and offset from what the band usually would sound like. With the ambience given off by the edge's guitar, the song builds and builds... until releasing at the emotional peak, as Bono cries the words "...don't you look back!"However, in this single version (The Temple Bar Edit), that emotion is lost. There is no real peak to the song... the song is just lost in a wave of acoustic guitar and lighter drums. The original mood the album version had given off, is hopelessly lost - no more twisted pain, or agonizing guitar riffs, to make this song complete. I can't stand either of the single versions.'Paint It Black': Great cover... rocking just as much now, as when the Stones played it.'Fortunate Son': A soulful rendition of John Fogerty's song."